Head of Client Accounts

Totum Partners are working with a leading law firm based in Brighton to recruit a Head of Client Accounts to oversee client finance operations and ensure full compliance with SRA Accounts Rules.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to take ownership of the client accounts function, lead a small team, and play a key role in maintaining regulatory compliance and high standards across the firm’s financial operations.

The ideal Head of Client Accounts will be responsible for:

• Leading and supporting a small but busy Client Accounts Team — making sure they’re well-resourced, confident in their roles, and able to manage a high volume of client transactions with precision.
• Overseeing day-to-day activity across payments, receipts, transfers, and reconciliations, ensuring everything is processed smoothly and efficiently.
• Ensuring compliance with SRA Accounts Rules, keeping processes up to date and embedding best practice throughout the team.
• Monitoring client balances, resolving any discrepancies promptly, and maintaining clear, accurate records.
• Reviewing and strengthening internal procedures relating to client money to ensure robust controls are in place.
• Acting as a key support to the COFA — preparing reports, highlighting issues, and contributing to audit readiness.
• Producing regular reports on client account activity and compliance matters, identifying trends or potential concerns early.
• Promoting a collaborative and compliant culture across the wider finance and legal teams.

• Works independently with minimal supervision.
• High level of motivation and enthusiasm.

The ideal Head of Client Accounts will have the following experience:

• A solid understanding of the SRA Accounts Rules and how they apply in a real-world legal finance setting.
• Experience overseeing client account operations within a law firm, ideally in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• A confident people leader — someone who can guide, support, and inspire their team to deliver consistently high standards.
• Clear and effective communication skills, with the ability to work well across both finance and legal teams.
• Strong organisation and time management, able to stay calm under pressure and juggle multiple priorities.
• A sharp eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy and compliance in everything you do.

Equal Opportunities

As a responsible business, it is important that we represent the diversity of our people, our clients and our communities. We believe that the firms that thrive are those with the most diverse team; that's why we work so hard to source the best talent from the broadest pool possible. As an equal opportunities employer we strive to accommodate anyone who may have specific needs. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the selection process, please talk to a member of the recruitment team so that any required adjustments can be made in advance.