Fee earner training and cashier courses

Following the release of the SRA Accounts Rules which came into force on 25 November 2019, we have provided numerous workshops for cashiers, COFAs and fee earners to ensure that firms understand the significant changes and the factors that are most likely to impact on their roles within the business. 

For some firms, we also provide regular updates. Our course content can include all of the following:

• A background to the SRA’s various consultations, which have led to the 2019 SRA Accounts Rules
• Key principles behind the SRA Accounts Rules
• Detailed review of the key sections of the Accounts Rules, including practical guidance on ensuring compliance
• Common breaches of the Accounts Rules, including tips on how to spot them and how to avoid them
• A practical guide to key systems and controls, including bank reconciliations, dealing with residual client balances and client file reviews
• Client and office account frauds, including cybercrime. Practical guidance on fraud prevention and detection, and a look at real-life examples
• Changes to the role of the reporting accountant and their work on legal practices, including a look at the types of breaches that lead to a qualified report
• Common VAT issues, including profit costs and disbursements

For anyone appointed to the role of COFA we can provide additional support, including guidance on responsibilities of the role, reporting to the SRA and practical tips.

We have provided in-house training to fee earners within several law firms covering the importance of time recording for improving business performance. The course covers the following:

• Reasons why accurate time recording is becoming more imperative now than ever
• Understanding the difference between productivity and recovery to ensure fee earners consider overall efficiency
• The difference between profit and cash
• Key and practical tips for both WIP and debtor management, to improve your firms overall working capital requirement
• Ensuring fee earners appreciate where work comes from
• Pricing

We are happy to work with you to develop a training program that meets your specific requirements. Other courses that we have delivered to date include:

• Updates on the legal sector
• Financial performance metrics – income and gross profit levels
• Understanding and interpreting accounts (financial statements)
• Taxation – partnership, company, personal, employees (including benefits in kind) and VAT
• Different business structures – traditional partnerships, LLPs, limited companies, service companies, corporate partners, ABSs and EOTs
• Becoming a partner (aimed at senior fee earners looking to become business owners)
• One-on-one training for accounts teams who are new to the legal profession