Finance Operations - Compliance Manager

The Compliance Manager is a key role within the finance department, responsible for ensuring all finance operations processes comply with relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies.

About us

CMS is a Future Facing firm with more than 80 offices in over 45 countries and 5,800+ lawyers worldwide. We combine deep local market understanding with a global perspective. We are passionate about building strong relationships with our clients, our people, and the communities we work in.

We take a bold, dynamic, and agile approach to ensure our clients are able to face the future with confidence. We are driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of working.  Our aim is to inspire, impact and support our clients and our people, helping them to maximize their potential and thrive.

About the role

This position requires knowledge of accounting principles and compliance standards, as well as the ability to implement and monitor control measures. The Compliance Manager works with internal stakeholders, manages audits, and continuously assesses and improves the finance operations compliance framework, with a focus on accounts payable.

Key responsibilities:

Compliance Oversight
Develop, implement, and maintain accounts payable and expenses policies and procedures in compliance with relevant laws and regulations across regions.
Update processes in accordance with changes to accounting standards, laws and regulations, and / or Tax requirements for various locations.
Ensure finance operation’s adherence to internal controls and compliance with the firm’s policies.
Ensure and demonstrate compliance with SRA regulations I collaboration with the specific functional manager.

Audit Management
Coordinate responses to internal and external audits related to finance operations with specific focus on accounts payable.
Prepare documentation and reports for auditors, ensuring timely and accurate responses to inquiries.

Risk Assessment
Conduct risk assessments related to finance operational processes.
Identify and address potential compliance risks and control weaknesses.

Vendor Due Diligence & Reconciliations
Implement and manage a vendor due diligence process to assess and monitor the compliance of vendors.
Ensure vendors meet the firm’s and external client’s compliance standards.
In collaboration with the relationship owner, manage the Finance & Accounting supplier reconciliations.
Reconcile control accounts to ensure accurately processed and accounted for prior to sign off by the relationship owner.  

Training and Education
Collaborate with the Accounts Payable Manager to build training programs and guidance on compliance, policies, and procedures.
Keep the finance team informed about changes in compliance requirements.

Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities for process improvement to enhance compliance and efficiency.
Collaborate with stakeholders to implement best practices.

Reporting
Generate and analyse reports related to compliance metrics.
Provide regular updates to management on compliance status.

Communication and Collaboration 

Collaborate with Financial Control team to ensure a comprehensive approach to compliance.
Communicate compliance requirements to relevant stakeholders.

About you

We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one. Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so to be considered for this role, you must meet the following skills and experience:

What’s in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:

•    Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
•    Flexible, hybrid working policy
•    Generous bonus scheme
•    Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
•    Holiday exchange scheme
•    Private medical insurance
•    Enhanced parental leave

If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Equal opportunities

At CMS, we place diversity and inclusion at the centre of our culture and the heart of our organisation. As a firm we recognise, celebrate, and embrace the diverse talent our society has to offer because we know that to solve big problems, we need the best and brightest minds available to us.  In support of this goal, we commit to actively breaking down barriers which stand in the way of those from diverse backgrounds and play our part in levelling the playing field. 
 
As a Future Facing Firm, we strongly believe that a career in law should be open to people from all walks of life, because not only does diversity of thought and experience make our firm a stronger and more sustainable business, but it also makes it a more rewarding place to work.
 
When recruiting, we prioritise attracting talented people and we actively promote a flexible working environment which enables all our team members to thrive. If you see a role you are interested in, but don’t feel you meet 100% of the criteria we encourage you to still consider making an application. We also welcome applications from those who may be looking to return to the workforce after a career break. 
 
We are proud to say our leadership in creating an inclusive working culture has been celebrated and recognised externally, including being listed for a number of years in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women and the Social Mobility Index.
 
We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer, and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process and in every element of the employee life cycle. If you require assistance, or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements or adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please contact a member of our team on TalentAcquisition@cms-cmno.com who will be happy to support you.

Ready to apply? Here are the next steps.

We look forward to receiving your application online via the CMS careers site. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions. 

Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.

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