Accounts Manager
Reports to: Senior Partner
Location: Salisbury or New Milton
Salary: neg DOE
Contract Type: Full-time Permanent
Job Purpose
To lead and manage the Accounts Department across both branches of the firm, ensuring the accurate and compliant handling of all financial matters. This includes overseeing cashiering duties, preparing management accounts, ensuring compliance with SRA Accounts Rules and managing Legal Aid Agency claims. The role requires close collaboration with fee earners, partners, and external accountants.
The Accounts Manager is responsible for overseeing daily financial operations including monitoring bank transactions, allocating funds to appropriate ledgers, processing payments, receipts, standing orders and telegraphic transfers, as well as managing supplier invoices and the accounts mailbox.
On a monthly and quarterly basis, the role involves preparing payroll and staff expenses, completing VAT returns in coordination with accountants, and running month‑end reports to ensure all validations and reconciliations are accurate and balanced.
Annually, the Accounts Manager finalises year‑end accounts, posts journals, coordinates client account audits and processes charity donations for unreturned client funds in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
* Oversee the firm’s accounting systems and ensure accurate financial records.
* Monitor cash flow and provide regular updates to the Senior Partner and Practice Manager.
* Prepare monthly management accounts and annual financial statements.
* Manage payroll, staff expenses, PAYE, and liaise with external accountants.
* Maintain and reconcile bank accounts, including designated deposit accounts.
* Ensure all transactions (electronic, cheque, cash) are processed correctly and in a timely manner.
Compliance & Regulation
* Ensure full compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and Code of Conduct.
* Manage the client account audit and liaise with auditors and accountants.
* Handle Legal Aid Agency (LAA) bulk fund ledgers and ensure proper reconciliation.
* Identify and process untraceable client funds for charity donation in line with SRA guidance.
Person Specification
Ideal skills and experience.
* Strong bookkeeping and accountancy skills.
* Proficient in legal accounting software (e.g., Leap, Xero and Lloyds Commercial Banking online).
* High level of organisation and attention to detail.
* Ability to manage and lead a small team.
* Ideally in-depth understanding of SRA Accounts Rules and legal finance procedures.
* Familiarity with Legal Aid Agency processes and compliance.
* Knowledge of law firm operations and financial workflows.
* MAAT or equivalent accounting qualification (desirable).
* Previous experience in a law firm accounts role.
* Experience managing Legal Aid claims and audits.
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