Finance Assistant / Legal Cashier in Durham

About the Role

A little bit about us: EMG Solicitors is an award winning Legal 500 law firm with offices across the North but acting nationally, specialising in Court of Protection, Deputyships, Mental Health Law, Family Law and Mediation, Residential Conveyancing, Dispute Resolution, Education Law and Wills, Trusts & Probate services.

Our mission is to provide the legal support our clients require in order to achieve anything from their basic needs to their wildest dreams and everything in between.

What are we looking for?

We are currently looking to recruit a Finance Assistant / Legal Cashier to join our Finance team in Durham; previous experience within a Legal Cashier role is highly desired, but not essential.

Where will you be based?

This role is based in our Durham office, but we may expect you to travel and work from other offices from time to time.

How many hours will you be working?

This is a full-time role which is 35 hours per week; however, at EMG Solicitor we work flexibly. It’s not a 9 to 5 role, but we do expect the work to be done, when you do it can be largely up to yourself, your Team Leader and the requirements of your clients.

A brief overview of the role:

The overall purpose of this role is to support the Finance and Cashier team in the provision of Financial Services to the firm by providing competent and efficient assistance in Legal Cashier / Finance duties supporting a first-class legal service for EMG Solicitors.

What will we expect from you:

• You should be passionate about providing support to your colleagues.
• To undertake your duties professionally and with the utmost skill and care.
• We take the view we stand and fall as a team - you will need to work both on your own and as part of a team.
• To always put clients first and respect their confidentiality at all times.

Getting paid for the work you do:

• You will be responsible for all daily legal cashiering duties, reconciliation of the firm’s bank accounts including monitoring any unpresented items.
• Reconciliation of Legal Aid items.
• You will also ensure that client related supplier invoices are dealt with in a timely manner.
• The production of all client billing as requested by fee earners is your responsibility to look after, making sure that all client withdrawals are in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules.
• Tasks carried out daily include overseeing all requests of client related receipts and payments, and the transfer of any client funds that are authorised for transfer to the business account.
• You will show complete awareness and understanding of money laundering and cybercrime, always being vigilant, in particular when verifying incoming and outgoing monies.

To be able to perform this job you will need:

• Practical experience of handling client enquiries both face to face and by telephone is essential.
• Strong numeracy skills and good attention to detail.
• Good keyboard/typing skills, ability to use computers and software, being a proactive individual and working well under pressure to tight deadlines.
• The ability to work individually and as a team is important as well as excellent time management and organisational skills.
• You will need the ability to communicate in a confident, clear, and relaxed way with others face to face, on the telephone and in writing, adapting the style of communication used when dealing with colleagues and clients.
• Previous experience of legal accounts and working under the SRA Accounts Rules would be desirable.

A little bit about the colleague we’re looking for:

We’re looking for a colleague who aligns with our core values of:

• Cooperation - we proactively support our clients and each other.
• Courage - we are ambitious and think big.
• Excellence - we deliver excellence.
• Integrity - we are open and transparent.
• Kindness - we value people, communities, having fun and being happy.

We want someone who will work proactively to deliver exceptional client service through the knowledge and skills they bring to the role. We want someone who will go the extra mile for both their clients and their colleagues, so we can all achieve anything from our basic needs to our wildest dreams and everything in between.

What We Offer:

What you can expect from us:

• Firm wide annual bonus scheme, in addition to a competitive salary.
• 4% Pension employer contributions offered through Standard Life.
• 25 days holiday entitlement per year (FTE) with an additional three days off at Christmas.
• 5 extra days paid leave on your 5-year anniversary – (and every 5 years thereafter).
• Life Assurance providing your loved ones with a 3x salary death in service benefit.
• Employee Assistance Program – a Freephone number you can call 24/7 for personal, legal and financial issues; to arrange counselling and a GP helpline.
• Free annual flu injection.
• EMG Rewards – Vivup well-being & Tastecard apps offering discounts across a large number of retailers & restaurants.
• £50 Gift card on your birthday as well as a late start or early finish.
• £50 Gift card at Christmas plus Christmas closure (subject to variation).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Car scheme.
• Fruit and refreshments in each office.
• If you want to take the family or friends out, we have two passes for Beamish open air museum which you can book out and take up to 10 people.
• Opportunity to join EMG working groups, such as our Green Team, Better Health at Work Team, Justice, Empowerment, Diversity and Inclusion Team (JEDI) & our Community Team.
• Regular surveys to understand issues our team care about, including regular guest speakers on a wide range of topics.

At EMG Solicitors, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive recruitment experience that reflects our values of Cooperation, Courage, Excellence, Integrity and Kindness. If you require any adjustments to help you apply or to fully participate in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

NO AGENCY SUPPORT IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME FOR THE ROLE.