Senior Legal Cashier

The Senior Legal Cashier is responsible for overseeing the firm’s client and office accounting activities, ensuring transactions are processed accurately, efficiently and in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules and internal financial controls.

The role combines hands‑on responsibility for complex legal cashiering transactions, reconciliations and payment processing with supervision of the legal cashiering team. Working closely with the Finance Manager, fee earners and wider Finance team, the Senior Legal Cashier will maintain accurate accounting records, support audit and regulatory requirements, resolve complex client‑account queries and contribute to the continuous improvement of legal‑accounting systems and processes.

• Lead and support the legal cashiering team, overseeing day‑to‑day operations, workload allocation, and performance standards
• Provide training, coaching, mentoring, and regular feedback through team meetings and one‑to‑one reviews
• Manage absences, ensure adequate cover, and support recruitment and induction of new team members
• Identify training needs, coordinate professional development, and set clear expectations and performance objectives

• Oversee all client and office bank accounts, ensuring full regulatory compliance and robust internal controls
• Review and approve complex transactions, inter‑account transfers, BACS runs, and high‑value payments
• Manage banking relationships, liaising with bank representatives and providing strategic input on account structures and treasury management
• Monitor cash flow and liquidity across all firm accounts and oversee the firm’s approach to client‑money handling and safeguarding

• Ensure full compliance with SRA Accounts Rules, maintain expert regulatory knowledge, and act as primary SRA liaison
• Identify, assess, and mitigate client‑money risks, maintaining robust legal‑accounting policies and procedures
• Lead compliance reviews and internal audits, resolving breaches and implementing regulatory changes
• Report compliance issues to senior management and oversee adherence to Money Laundering Regulations
• Manage external‑auditor relationships and coordinate regulatory inspections

• Manage complex client‑account transactions, including completion statements, multi‑party matters, legacy files, aged balances, and residual‑balance distributions
• Resolve complex accounting issues, advising fee earners and supporting partnership changes or business restructuring
• Review and approve month‑end and year‑end procedures, overseeing client‑account certificates and accountants’ reports

• Review and approve all bank and three‑way reconciliations, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely resolution of significant differences
• Maintain oversight of suspense accounts, unallocated items, key control accounts, and the integrity of the nominal ledger
• Review month‑end journals and adjustments, ensuring prompt identification and correction of errors
• Prepare and review management reports on client‑account positions

• Oversee the legal cashiering function within the practice‑management system, ensuring strong controls, audit trails, data security, and appropriate access rights
• Lead system upgrades, implementations, and accounts‑related improvements in collaboration with IT and system providers
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and embed best practice in legal‑accounting operations
• Identify and deliver process improvements and efficiency gains across all cashiering activities