Legal Cashier

Why is this role important and how does it fit into the team, department and wider firm?

The Legal Cashier sits at the heart of the firm's financial integrity. This role is the custodian of client money, ensuring that every financial transaction is handled with accuracy, accountability and full compliance with the Solicitors' Accounts Rules (SAR). Without this role functioning effectively, the firm's regulatory standing, client trust and operational efficiency would all be at risk. Working within a lively and collaborative Finance team, the Legal Cashier plays a critical part in enabling fee earners and the wider firm to focus on delivering outstanding client service.

What does the role actually involve?

Legal Cashier's responsibilities fall across four key areas:

Client Account Management and SAR Compliance

• Processing all client account transactions including receipts, payments and transfers in accordance with the SAR
• Conducting daily SAR compliance checks and reporting on any breaches or exceptions, taking corrective action where appropriate
• Ensuring client ledgers are accurate, always reconciled and maintained to the required standard
• Advising fee earners on the correct treatment of client monies, providing clear and timely guidance on SAR requirements

Payment Processing

• Processing payments, including international and foreign currency transactions
• Verifying payment instructions against source documentation and in accordance with the firm's procedures and associated authentication requirements
• Managing the receipt and allocation of incoming funds, including identifying and resolving unallocated receipts promptly
• Maintaining accurate records and filing of all cashier transactions
• Producing and distributing regular financial reports and reconciliation statements
• Assisting with month-end and year-end close processes as required
• Supporting the wider Finance team with ad hoc duties and cover as needed

Process and Controls

• Identifying opportunities for process improvement and contributing to the maintaining and updating of procedure documentation
• Supporting internal and external audits by providing accurate records and information as required

What technical skills are required for someone to be successful and enjoy the role?

• Experience of using legal accounting software and bank electronic payment software is essential
• Must be IT literate with good keyboard skills; knowledge of MS Excel and MS Word is desirable
• Strong numerical accuracy and instinctive attention to detail
• Previous experience in a legal accounts or law firm finance environment is advantageous

Who would be a good fit for this role?

As part of the Finance team, you would be expected to have the following skills and experience:

• A detail-focused, commercially aware professional who is self-motivated and able to operate with a high degree of autonomy and initiative
• A genuine 'can-do' attitude and the resilience to thrive in a lively and often pressurised environment
• The ability to work accurately and meet critical deadlines under time pressure, maintaining high standards consistently
• A logical and methodical approach to work, with the confidence to challenge information and ask questions when needed
• Confident and articulate communication skills, with the ability to gather information proactively and independently to progress processing and meet targets
• The ability to build strong, trusted working relationships with colleagues at all levels, including senior management and partners across the firm
• A positive, robust and collaborative approach to working with others - recognising that the Finance team is central to the firm's operations and that strong internal relationships are essential to its success