Legal Accountant

My client is a well-established law firm and they are looking for an experienced full time Experienced Accountant to support the Finance Director and become a central part of their operational team based at their office in Shrewsbury.

With experience and understanding of with working with a Law firm or Legal environment, you will be a highly organised individual, with a solid track record in day-to-day Finance administration and accounting support to the business. You will provide consistent timely and accurate financial management and administration of the company finances, financial systems, processes, and records to meet the requirements of the Finance Director and Partners

Your responsibilities will include

• Client account payment receipts and payment requests
• Client to office transfers
• Daily reconciliation of all transactions (Bank, Credit Card, Supplier Statements) on Xero
• Monthly reconciliation of bank accounts, including 3 way reconciliation of the client account between the bank statement, cashbook and matter balance report
• Quarterly VAT returns
• Management of monthly Payroll process
• Monthly manual journals for PAYE
• All bank payments (supplier, employee, rent payments etc)
• Aged Payable reports and reconciliation with credit account suppliers
• Adding supplier & expense bills to Xero
• Processing (posting and payment) of disbursements
• Raising and posting client invoices, ensuring Partner and Associate time is allocated and charged appropriately
• Credit control, aged debtor reports and chasing payment of invoices
• Daily/weekly/monthly performance reporting and support to the Finance Director in financial reporting (P&L, Management accounts etc)
• Support to the Finance Director in weekly/monthly cashflow
• Aged WIP reporting
• Residual balances reporting
• Month end close processes on Xero
• Liaising with our external accountants, auditors and HMRC as required
• Providing accountants with any additional information they need for year end
• Liaising with clients and staff about any relevant accounting processes as required
• Processing staff expenses
• Processing small petty cash transactions and reconciliation of petty cash balances
• Fulfilling our legal responsibilities under HMRC's 'Making Tax Digital' by ensuring the correct paperwork is digitally loaded onto Xero against each transaction
• Any other financial processes and/or administration required to ensure we meet our accounting obligations correctly and on time
• Undertaking projects as directed and any other administrative tasks as required

Required skills and experience

• Excellent use of Xero
• AAT Qualified (or equivalent)
• Experience providing Accounting support within a Law Firm & understanding of Solicitors Accounts Rules (SAR's) is essential
• Able to manage your own time and work independently
• Accurate data entry and attention-to-detail is crucial
• Excellent use of spreadsheets (both Excel and Google sheets)
• Good communicator both verbally and written
• Pro-active problem solver
• Discreet when handling sensitive financial and Legal information
• Knowledge of Pension auto-enrolment legislation ideal
• Personable, professional and approachable