Role Overview:
The Accounts Assistant supports the Accounts Manager in the smooth running of the department by covering all aspects of legal cashiering and financial administration arising from the work of the firm and its internal operations.
This is a varied role combining purchase ledger, payments, billing and general support in the smooth running of a small Accounts department. The Accounts Assistant will cover the full spectrum of tasks.
This is a full-time role (35 hrs per week) 9 am – 5pm. After successful completion of the probationary period there is the option of hybrid working (2 days per week WFH and 3 days in the office). There is occasionally the need for overtime, for example at month end.
Key Tasks
Responsibilities:
- Processing supplier invoices and arranging supplier payments via Bankline.
- Authorising client payments over £10,000.
- Dealing with petty cash transactions.
- Processing credit card expenditure and responsible for ordering new credit cards for team members.
- Dealing with queries from Secretaries and Fee Earners in relation to Office Account transactions.
- Posting disbursements and reconciling Land Registry statements/Searchflow/Veriphy invoices.
- Review client invoices, check disbursements etc produce credit notes and deal with any queries from Fee Earners or Secretaries.
- Producing billing lists for Fee Earners monthly for billing purposes.
- Assisting with month end billing.
- Ensuring all documents are correctly filed and archived.
- Assisting the Accounts Manager with training Secretaries/ new Fee Earners/Trainees when required on Insight Legal and Accounts procedures.
- Setting up platforms for some of our American clients, setting up Fee Earners, charge out rates, uploading invoices.
- Assist the Accounts Manager to produce Accounts training notes.
- Carry out COFA file reviews and work with COFA to check compliance with financial regulatory requirements.
- Help to Develop systems (implement Insight improvements).
- General administrative support for Accounts Manager and Office Manager.
Provide cover for the Accounts Manager to include the tasks below (training will be given):
- Undertake daily banking functions including online banking, cash allocation, bank lodgements and bank reconciliation.
- The processing of client accounting transactions.
- The processing of bank transfers between client and office account.
- The control of designated client account deposit accounts, including reconciliations.
- The processing of office accounting transactions, payments received into office.
Person Specification
Qualifications:
- AAT or ILFM qualified (Desirable)
- Minimum of 5 GCSEs including Maths and English
Experience:
- Previous accounts experience in a legal environment
- Experience of working with Legal finance packages.
Skills and knowledge:
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent numeracy skills
- Excellent time management skills and organisational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritise workload
- Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills
- Strong IT skills, specifically Microsoft Office and Excel and case management
- Excellent knowledge of Solicitors Accounts Rules (SAR).
Personal Characteristics:
- Honesty and integrity
- Proactive with a positive attitude
- Personable, and highly professional
- Good team player
- Ability to work under pressure