Legal Accounts Manager

Lawfront is one of the UK’s most ambitious and rapidly expanding Legal Groups. Through strategic acquisitions and the integration of high‑performing regional law firms, we are building a national platform that combines local excellence with the strength, investment, and innovation of a modern Legal Group.

Our growth trajectory is significant — and accelerating. As we continue to welcome new firms into the Lawfront family, we are strengthening our central functions to ensure we deliver consistent, scalable, and best‑in‑class support across the Group.

The Opportunity

Lawfront is looking to recruit a Legal Accounts Manager / Team Leader to join Lawfront’s Finance Department and to be based in Nelsons’ Nottingham office. There may be some travel required with the role to visit our offices in Derby and Leicester from time to time. The role will be supporting the Group Head of Legal Accounts and ensuring the smooth operation and compliance with relevant rules and regulations including SRA Accounts Rules.

Key Responsibilities

• To supervise and communicate effectively with the legal accounts team, making sure that changes in processes and procedures are fully understood. Ensuring an efficient and effective service to both internal and external clients and compliance with SRA Accounts Rules, GDPR and Money Laundering, HMRC and any other relevant regulations.
• Review month end bank reconciliations for all accounts, including any own client accounts, ensuring all appropriate action has been completed before submission to the COFA for signoff.
• To check and post bills, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations such as VAT.
• Ensure payments requests, receipts and transfers are posted to ledger and bank payments are set up and authorised in a timely manner and cover when required.
• To monitor inactive matters and liaise with fee earners, office charities and the SRA on residual balances, ensuring compliance with SRA Accounts Rules.
• To ensure that Legal Aid claims are processed in accordance with the Legal Aid Agency regulations and to liaise with Fee Earners and external Costs Draftsman (where appropriate).
• Alert the Professional Standards Team to any possible breaches of the SAR rules, Money Laundering or other suspicious activities.
• To support the team as and when required in all areas of Legal Accounts work.

About You

You will be an experienced Legal Accounts leader who thrives in environments of change, growth, and transformation. You bring both the technical expertise and the commercial mindset needed to support a fast‑growing Legal Group.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience working within a legal accounts department (3 years +).
• Strong knowledge of regulatory rules including Solicitors Accounts Rules and HMRC/VAT.
• Experience in a supervisory role.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficient in legal accounting systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong communication skills and able to communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-starter who is motivated and can work autonomously.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Has a can-do attitude and qualities to be a team player.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Relevant professional qualification i.e. AAT or ILFM qualification (desirable but not essential).
• Experience in dealing with legal aid billing & payments (desirable but not essential).

Why Join Lawfront

• Play a pivotal role in one of the UK’s fastest‑growing Legal Groups.
• Shape the financial operations of a business built on strategic acquisition and long‑term investment.
• Work with a collaborative leadership team committed to innovation and excellence.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

As part of this role, you will be given all the means to achieve success and will be supported and can expect dedicated training, professional support and a host of benefits.

The extras:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and holiday purchase
• Healthcare cash plan
• Travel benefits
• Pension
• Well-being programme
• Discounts on selected legal service
• Hybrid working after successful probation period.

With a defined vision and growth plan on track, we have created a culture of working together to achieve and are looking to recruit people who have a can-do attitude to be part of our journey and vision.

How to Apply

If you are excited by the opportunity to lead a team in a fast‑growing, acquisitive legal organisation, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV confirming salary expectations