The Senior Legal Cashier is responsible for the efficient operation of the firm's legal cashiering function, ensuring full compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules and supporting the financial management of the firm. The role will undertake complex legal cashiering duties, provide guidance to junior team members, assist with financial controls, and contribute to the continuous improvement of finance processes. The Senior Legal Cashier plays a key role in safeguarding client money, maintaining accurate financial records, supporting fee earners and delivering a professional internal service across the firm., Client and Office Account Management
- Process client and office account transactions accurately and promptly.
- Ensure all receipts and payments comply with SRA Accounts Rules.
- Process electronic payments including CHAPS, Faster Payments and international transfers.
- Verify and authorise transactions in accordance with delegated authority levels.
- Monitor client account balances and investigate discrepancies.
- Review residual client balances and assist with their resolution.
- Ensure timely transfer of costs between client and office accounts.
Bank Reconciliations
- Prepare and review daily, weekly and monthly bank reconciliations.
- Investigate and resolve unreconciled items.
- Monitor banking activity and identify unusual or potentially non-compliant transactions.
- Assist with year-end reconciliations and audit requirements.
Billing and Matter Financial Management
- Support fee earners with billing, transfers and financial queries.
- Process bills, credit notes and write-offs in accordance with firm procedures.
- Review work in progress and disbursement balances where required.
- Assist with financial housekeeping across client matters.
SRA Accounts Rules Compliance
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules.
- Ensure all financial transactions are processed in compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Identify and escalat[e] breaches or potential breaches promptly.
- Support the preparation of information for internal audits and accountant's reports.
- Assist in developing and maintaining finance policies and procedures.
Financial Control and Risk Management
- Monitor client account movements to identify unusual activity.
- Assist with anti-money laundering (AML) financial checks where appropriate.
- Support the implementation of financial controls to minimise risk.
- Contribute to compliance monitoring and reporting.
Reporting
- Produce regular reports for management and fee earners.
- Assist with cashflow reporting and forecasting.
- Prepare ad hoc financial information as required.
- Support management with financial analysis relating to client matters.
Systems and Process Improvement
- Maintain financial records within the firm's practice management and accounting systems.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency.
- Participate in system upgrades, testing and implementation projects.
- Assist in maintaining accurate finance procedures and user guides.
Team Support and Supervision
- Support and mentor Legal Cashiers and Finance Assistants.
- Provide guidance on complex transactions and compliance requirements.
- Assist in training new members of staff.
- Act as a point of escalation for finance-related queries.
General Responsibilities
- Maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Work collaboratively with fee earners and business support teams.
- Support firm-wide initiatives and projects.
- Demonstrate the firm's values and behaviours.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience working as a Legal Cashier within a law firm.
- Strong knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules.
- Experience processing client and office account transactions.
- Experience undertaking bank reconciliations.
- Experience using legal accounting and practice management systems.
- Experience dealing directly with fee earners and stakeholders.
Desirable Experience
- Experience supervising or mentoring junior staff.
- Experience supporting compliance audits.
- Experience of system implementation or process improvement projects.
- Experience working in a multi-office legal practice, Excellent knowledge of legal cashiering principles.
- Thorough understanding of SRA Accounts Rules.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Experience of legal practice management system - Actionstep
- Knowledge of AML and regulatory compliance requirements within the legal sector.
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