Working Capital Manager

Working Capital Manager

Competitive Salary

Bristol or Swindon (hybrid)

Our client, a leading law firm, has an exciting opportunity for a Working Capital Manager to join their finance team!

The role:

The Working Capital Manager acts as a business partner and trusted advisor to partners and other senior decision-makers with the principal objective of optimising revenue, matter profitability and speed of cash collection.

• Managing working capital and revenue control, including maximizing the speed of cash collection and turning WIP into cash, analysing and interpreting data to identify early-cycle financial risks, overseeing the full billing cycle, reviewing, and recommending commercial and legal action for outstanding WIP/debts, and supporting pricing decisions and commercial rate negotiations.
• Credit and debt management including managing, training, and developing the credit control team to collect outstanding balances, leading on complex accounts, managing the credit control software and holding regular meetings with Client Partners to resolve persistent issues and improving collection processes.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, including SRA Code of Practice, Solicitors Accounts Rules, money laundering regulations, and VAT considerations.
• Maintain and document financial control policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Produce and present lock-up reports and other financial insights as required, tailored to assist Partners and staff.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including fee earners and Client Partners.
• Working closely with the rest of the Finance team to drive process improvements of Working Capital (WIP, billing and debt management) to the wider firm.
• Lead, develop, and mentor the credit control team and Revenue Coordinator to ensure high performance.
• Support recruitment, training, and continuous professional development within the Working Capital function.

Key skills/experience:

• Minimum of 5+ years’ experience in a similar role within a medium-sized business, ideally within professional services.
• Qualified by experience or a member of ICM (Institute of Credit Management) or ACP (Association of Credit Professionals), or other suitable qualification.
• Strong understanding of WIP management, revenue control, and credit control processes.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks, including SRA accounts rules, VAT regulations, and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience with stakeholder management in a finance-related role.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, together with being commercially astute and business-first approach.
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.