As we wrap up the first quarter of the year, it’s clear that the senior legal finance and accounting market is off to a strong start. While January started at a slower pace, by the third week, roles began flooding in, signalling a busy period for hiring.
Here’s an overview of the key trends shaping the senior legal finance market and my predictions for what we can expect in Q2 and beyond.
A broad range of roles and growth in commercial finance
One of the standout trends this quarter has been the variety of roles across disciplines. Typically, we see clusters of similar positions, but this year, the mix has been notably broad.
The commercial finance space remains a consistent area of demand, particularly at the senior level. Many firms are expanding their commercial finance teams, adding additional layers of leadership within Commercial Finance teams (Manager, Senior Manager, Head of). This growth reflects the increasing complexity and strategic importance of commercial finance functions within law firms and professional services firms.
Challenges in finance systems recruitment
A particularly tricky segment of the market has been finance systems roles at the £80,000–£95,000 salary range. The candidate pool for these positions is small, largely due to a lack of junior professionals being developed within finance systems teams over the past five years.
Many firms have not invested in nurturing talent in this area, resulting in a market where available candidates are either highly senior (with six-figure salary expectations) or not experienced enough for the roles on offer. This gap presents ongoing recruitment challenges that firms will need to address strategically.
Continued investment in tax teams
Another area of sustained growth has been internal tax teams within law firms. As tax regulations become more complex, firms are prioritising in-house expertise to navigate these evolving challenges. Many firms that have not yet established senior in-house tax roles are actively considering doing so, indicating a long-term trend toward stronger internal tax functions.
Senior revenue roles on the rise
Q1 also saw significant movement in senior revenue roles across large law firms, particularly in U.S. firms with London offices. Unlike expansion-driven hiring, these roles have become available due to turnover, creating opportunities for experienced revenue professionals to step into high-impact positions.
U.S. Law firms are investing heavily in the UK market
One of the biggest stories this quarter has been the surge in senior hires across U.S. law firms operating in London. Firms such as Gibson Dunn, Paul Hastings, Milbank, Latham & Watkins, Paul Weiss, Davis Polk, Dechert, Skadden Arps and Kirkland & Ellis have been aggressively recruiting both for fee-earning roles and business services functions.
The UK remains an attractive market for U.S. firms, leading to increased investment in finance and operations teams to support their growing London presence. Notably, U.S. law firms prefer to hire talent from other U.S. firms, fueling movement within this segment of the market.
A strong hiring market heading into Q2
Looking ahead, confidence in the market remains high. In Q1, we managed an average of 12 live senior finance roles at any given time - well above our historical average of 7 - 8, suggesting a sustained increase in hiring activity.
New positions continue to emerge, and we anticipate a robust Q2 and beyond for the senior legal finance & accounting market.
Strong networks matter –The best candidates typically tend to be passive job seekers, meaning recruiters with deep industry connections are essential to attracting top talent.
Competitive offers are key – Salary remains the primary motivator for job moves, but opportunities for career growth and strategic positioning also play a crucial role in securing top professionals.
Invest in emerging talent – To avoid future skills gaps, particularly in finance systems, firms should focus on developing junior professionals who can grow into mid-level and senior roles over time.
Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be a strong year for hiring in legal finance and accounting. The demand for experienced legal finance professionals continues to grow, and firms that position themselves strategically will secure the best talent in an increasingly competitive market.
If you’re looking to hire or explore new opportunities in legal finance and accounting, now is a great time to act.
Do get in touch to discuss the latest market trends and how we can support your hiring or career goals.
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