Legal Cashier

Owen Reed is looking for a proactive, confident and enthusiastic Legal Cashier to join a law firm's busy accounts team.

Reporting to the Head Cashier, you will undertake both client and office cashiering duties, managing a high-volume workload while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail and compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules.

The role places particular emphasis on the proactive management and clearance of residual client balances. You will help mitigate regulatory, compliance and audit risks by ensuring balances are actively monitored, investigated and resolved promptly.

Detailed knowledge of, and experience working with, the SRA Accounts Rules is essential. Experience of Elite 3E is desirable, alongside confidence using integrated, multi-currency Practice Management Systems and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.

Key Responsibilities

Day-to-Day Cashiering

• Process client and office payments, including CHAPS, BACS and international payments, through the firm's online banking portals and make corresponding postings in Elite 3E.
• Identify and process electronic and cheque receipts into client and office accounts, ensuring prompt and accurate allocation.
• Notify relevant fee earners promptly of monies received and follow up on queries to ensure swift resolution.
• Complete daily and monthly client and office account bank reconciliations.
• Investigate and promptly clear entries temporarily posted to suspense ledgers.
• Cancel out-of-date cheques, investigate the original payments and arrange reissue where necessary.

Residual Client Balances

• Proactively monitor, investigate and resolve residual client balances, liaising with fee earners and matter teams to ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Maintain clear audit trails, supporting documentation and approvals in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules and firm policies.
• Escalate aged or complex balances where required and contribute to reducing the firm's overall residual balance exposure.
• Follow up effectively with stakeholders and challenge delays to ensure compliance requirements and regulatory deadlines are met.

Regulatory & Risk Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong understanding of the SRA Accounts Rules, particularly regarding the handling, retention and return of client money.
• Ensure residual balances are addressed promptly to prevent regulatory breaches and minimise risk.
• Support internal and external audits by ensuring residual balance activity is fully documented, traceable and compliant.
• Promote a culture of compliance within the cashiering team by highlighting risks and encouraging best practice in residual balance management.

Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of, and practical experience working with, the SRA Accounts Rules.
• Strong understanding of regulatory risk relating to client money and residual balances.
• Experience using integrated, multi-currency Practice Management Systems; Elite 3E experience would be advantageous.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Confidence dealing with senior finance colleagues and fee earners, providing timely responses and inspiring confidence.
• Excellent organisational skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
• The ability to prioritise a high-volume workload and maintain standards under pressure.
• Initiative and the ability to work independently.
• A positive, committed and practical approach.
• A collaborative attitude, with the flexibility to support colleagues when required.
• Confidence following up with stakeholders to ensure outstanding matters are resolved.

Additional Information

• Working hours are 9:30am-5:30pm, with flexibility essential.
• Hybrid working requires a minimum of two days per week in the office.
• A 12-week probation period and four-week notice period apply.
• A flexible benefits package is available.

The responsibilities outlined are not exhaustive, and additional tasks may be required to meet the needs of the role.