Finance Controller

About the role

Our client, a leading South African law firm, is seeking an experienced Finance Controller to oversee both business and trust accounting functions. The role ensures accurate financial records, compliance with legal practice standards, and supports the firm’s financial decision‑making.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain accurate business and trust accounting records, processing receipts, payments, transfers and interest.
• Perform daily, weekly and monthly trust reconciliations in line with legal practice standards.
• Manage creditors, debtors, general ledger, journals, cashbook and bank reconciliations.
• Monitor client matters, trust creditors and fee transfers, and prepare monthly management accounts.
• Support billing processes, receipt allocation, write‑offs and collection reporting.
• Assist with payroll inputs, year‑end audit preparation and trust audit schedules.
• Uphold internal financial controls, segregation of duties and authorisation procedures.
• Ensure FICA compliance through proper record‑keeping and document retention.
• Liaise with partners, fee earners, auditors, banks and service providers on finance matters.

Required profile

• Relevant bookkeeping or accounting qualification.
• 5–8 years of bookkeeping experience, preferably within legal or attorney practices.
• Proven expertise in trust and business accounting.
• Strong reconciliation abilities and attention to detail.

Required skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with general accounting software.