Senior Compliance Manager

NOTE: We are only accepting applications from direct applicants and agencies with which we have current agreed terms.

Vedders London office is seeking a Senior Compliance Manager. The Senior Compliance Manager will oversee the London and Singapore offices compliance functions ensuring regulatory obligations are met and internal processes remain robust up to date and fit for purpose.

As the Senior Compliance Manager your duties will include but not be limited to:

• Provide direct line management supervision and mentoring to the Risk and Compliance Supervisor and the AML/Conflicts Analyst.
• Serve as the Compliance and Finance Administration Officer (COFA) for the London Office including working with the Accounts Manager to oversee the finance operations of the London office.
• Serve as the Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO) and the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for the London Office with ultimate responsibility for AML compliance including being accountable for breaches designing the AML training receiving internal disclosures of suspicious activity and reporting suspicions to the NCA.
• Serve as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for the Singapore Office.
• Work closely with the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) in managing the day to day duties to ensure:
  • compliance with the terms and conditions of the firms authorisation;
  • compliance by the firm and its managers employees or interest holders with the SRAs regulatory arrangements which apply to them (except any obligations imposed under the Accounts Rules);
  • that the firms managers and interest holders and those they employ or contract with do not cause or substantially contribute to a breach of the regulatory arrangements;
  • that a prompt report is made to the SRA of any serious breach of the terms and conditions of the firms authorisation or the regulatory arrangements which apply to the firm managers or employees.
• Work closely with the Office Manager on the management of the firms compliance system VinciWorks/OmniTrak.
• In conjunction with the Accounts Manager manage the partner capital loan accounts and handle any queries in relation to such with both partners and banks.
• Understand embrace and ensure the firms compliance accounting and finance policies and procedures are implemented updated as necessary and adhered to in each office. Ensure jurisdictional requirements and practices are met.
• Work with the Accounts Manager and the Audit and Tax Accounting Manager to ensure all regulatory audits are completed and filed in a timely manner acting as an additional point of contact during the audits for question or concerns.
• Oversee adherence to the Solicitors Account Rules whilst serving as the liaison between the SRA and the firm.
• Respond to the Office for National Statistics annual surveys (i.e. Annual Business Survey and Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings).
• Work with the Payroll Manager to ensure compliance with payroll and tax laws in London and Singapore (i.e. the PAYE Settlement Agreement the annual P11d(b) filing with HMRC etc.).
• Ensure compliance with all and any tax equalisation letters of support requirements.
• Work with the Accounts Manager to manage all VAT reconciliations.
• Oversee internal file reviews and prepare compliance reports.
• Maintain Terms of Business and ensure updates are communicated and implemented.
• Manage compliance registers (complaints highârisk matters COLP and COFA notifications breaches declined instructions).
• Ensure DBS checks are completed and renewed in line with SRA/Law Society requirements.
• Act as the primary liaison with external stakeholders including banks auditors tax authorities and regulatory bodies ensuring that firm management is kept abreast of any compliance or financial issues requiring attention.
• Facilitate internal communications and information delivery to decision-makers including partners in charge.
• Complete projects and tasks on various issues when needed; maintain flexibility as business requirements evolve.
• Identify and implement process improvements proactively.
• Collaborate with the Finance team as well as cross-functionally throughout the firm on US based projects as needed.
• Collaborate with the Payroll team to provide guidance on processing tax or other queries relating to the processing of payroll for all London and Singapore employees.
• Lead London and Singapore compliance meetings.
• Create and distribute a monthly compliance newsletter.
• Participate in bank reconciliation meetings and be the gatekeeper for the breach register.
• Assist as back up to other team members during periods of absence or as needed.
• Assist in any ad-hoc assignments as and when they arise.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with attention to detail.
• A professional demeanour with a proven ability to coordinate and implement efficient processes.
• Ability to operate independently as well as within a team environment and perform duties which require considerable judgment collaboration and initiative.
• The ability to problem solve maintain composure and work well within a high pressure environment.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate and interface effectively and courteously with employees of all levels within the organisation.
• Ability to handle sensitive and/or confidential matters.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with shifting priorities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree (or equivalent) in Law Business Administration Finance or a related discipline.
• A recognised accounting qualification such as AAT ACCA CIMA or equivalent full accountancy qualification is desirable.
• A Law Society Risk and Compliance accreditation (or equivalent) is desirable.

Required Experience:

• Proven experience in legal finance accounting compliance risk management and financial controls within a law firm.
• Proven experience in managing the day to day duties of the COFA MLRO and MLCO within a law firm.
• Demonstrated seniority enabling full access to financial and administrative records with the capability to oversee compliance systems and exercise independent judgement when required.
• Solid understanding of UK and Singapore regulatory framework including SRA regulations Solicitors Accounts Rules LSAG (AML) GDPR ICO ACRA LSRA.
• An understanding of the specific finance and accounting principles and requirements in the UK and Singapore.
• Experience of managing teams and individuals of varying levels of skills and experience.
• Must satisfy the SRAs fit and proper criteria demonstrating integrity honesty and a record free from disciplinary actions criminal offences or conduct concerns that would raise suitability issues for appointment as COFA.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be proficient in the following software:

• All Microsoft office applications (Excel Word PowerPoint Outlook).
• Elite 3 One Source Emburse

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vedder Price P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race color gender sex age religion creed national origin ancestry citizenship marital status sexual orientation physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations) medical condition protected veteran status gender identity genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. We participate in E-verify.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Vedder Recruiting Team at

Required Experience:

Manager