Job Description
Working Hours and Arrangements
The position is a mixture of office and home-based working for 17.5 hours per week, exact hours per day/days per week to be agreed in line with the needs of the business and successful candidate.
When working from home, an agile working day has been adopted, running from 7.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Finance Manager, the principal purpose of the role is to deliver accurate, efficient high level legal cashiering, financial & general administration support, whilst ensuring the requirements of the Solicitor’s Accounts Rules are adhered to at all times. By working collaboratively with all those responsible for the financial management of the firm, the post-holder will provide a service that is of a high standard and contributes positively to the effectiveness and professionalism of the department and firm.
Job Description
Finance
Undertake a range of daily/weekly/monthly financial activities, to include:
- regular monitoring and performance of standard banking functions, e.g., bank/ credit card reconciliations, client to office transfers, automatic/manual payments checking, posting and dispatching client bills
- posting disbursements, receipts and payments for client and office accounts to the appropriate ledgers
- processing purchase ledger invoices and payments, ensuring all payment requests are correctly authorised (including liaison with partners as necessary)
- inputting and production of nominal cheque requests
- supporting month and year end procedures by contributing to the preparation of monthly management accounts and assisting the Finance Manager with year-end accounts and tax returns
- assisting with payroll and staff expense payments
- assisting with VAT administration and returns reconciliation of Land Registry transactions and posting to SOS
- processing electronic card payments through online card system (World Pay)
- administering/reconciling petty cash
- assisting in the processing of anti-money laundering checks
- dealing with enquiries from clients, fee earners, staff and other stakeholders
Manage, oversee and delegate (as appropriate) credit control activities, to include:
- running regular reports to identify debtors
- chasing clients for payments, processing payments and encouraging online transactions wherever possible
- keeping accurate records on SOS of conversations with clients and agreed timeframes for payment of outstanding invoices
- diarising follow-up actions on agreed payment schedules and further chasing as appropriate
- issuing credit control letters in line with company procedures and timescales
- referring debts exceeding 90 days to the relevant Partner for a determination on initiation of formal debt recovery proceedings
Administration
- manage the firm’s stationery & equipment needs, ensuring best value is applied when ordering and appropriate records maintained
- oversee electronic matter archiving and related systems
- assist in monitoring the firm’s email anti-virus, malware and spam filter, checking the authenticity of email communications and identifying, forwarding or releasing legitimate messages as appropriate.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
Qualifications
- Recognised bookkeeping or accounting qualifications (AAT, CIMA etc) or equivalent experience
- 5 GCSE’s at grade 4 or above or equivalent, including Maths & English
Skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills in order to build good relationships with colleagues and clients
- Ability to create good quality financial reports
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Highly organised and efficient approach to work
- Able to multi-task and respond positively to a large workload
- Strong prioritisation skills to enable competing deadlines to be met
Knowledge
- Good computer literacy, including knowledge of Sage (or equivalent), practice management systems, legal accounts software and MS Office Suite applications, particularly Excel
- Practical application of SRA Accounts Rules
Experience
- At least two years’ experience in a legal cashiering financial role
- Experience in financial administration, management support & compliance
- Experience in supporting colleagues with preparations for audits
- Experience of working in a commercial legal environment
Personal Qualities
- Self-motivated, diligent, dedicated and driven to succeed
- Hardworking, proactive and positive attitude
- Reacts well under pressure
- Adept at handling conflicting priorities effectively
- High level of integrity and empathy
- Accurate, with good attention to detail
- Able to use own initiative to research issues and find solutions
- Flexible, adaptable and willing to help, whatever the task
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Committed to providing exemplary levels of service to clients
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 17.5 per week
Salary: £16,000.00-£18,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: One location
Expected start date: 31/03/2023