Legal Practice Manager

Our client based in Bedford are seeking a Legal Practice Manager to join them in a permanent position, this is an office based role, you must have had a role of this nature in the past in a Legal Firm to be considered for this opportunity. Ideally qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA), its a 37.5 hour working week and the salary is between £55-60k, for more details please apply.

Legal Practice Manager

Job Description:

Reporting to the firms Board of Directors & CEO, the successful Practice Manager will handle a diverse and challenging workload to facilitate the delivery of the practices' legal services.

Duties may include but not be limited to:-

* Management of the finance department and reception staff;

* Day-to-day and annual responsibility for the firms' accounts;

* Advice on regulatory compliance including SRA, AML and SAR's;

* Organisation of the firm's insurance, accreditations and practising certificate renewals;

* Attending Board meetings;

* Negotiating with third party suppliers and developing organisational and performance systems.

* Excellent organisational skills and the ability to find solutions to complex issues will therefore be essential. This is a hands-on role

Candidate requirements:

* Previous relevant experience within a legal or professional services environment

* A commanding knowledge of the Solicitor Accounts Rules and an overview of the general obligations of the SRA Handbook

* A comprehensive understanding of GAAP and accrual accounting

* Experience with COFA and COLP duties and responsibilities and assume COFA role in due course

* Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

* Previous experience with drafting policies and procedures

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills

* Ability to collaborate with colleagues and with outside organisations

* The ability to adhere to and manage deadlines with minimal supervision

* Strong IT skills and previous experience with case management systems (P4W experience would be highly beneficial)

Main Responsibilities:

* Management of accounts team, reception staff/post room (5 total)

* Prepare and provide information to the firm's accountants for annual SAR's audit and year end Accounts

* Proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks including GDPR, accounts breaches etc

* Change and project management

* Ensure the office environment is professional, efficient and productive by proactively finding solutions

* Lexcel applications and re-accreditation

* Internal training to ensure Lexcel compliance

* Drafting, reviewing and updating our various policies in collaboration with others as and when required and in line with Lexcel, CQS and SRA guidelines

* Support the firm's marketing efforts

* Monitor financial performance and provide regular reports to the management team

* VAT returns

* Corporation Tax instalments

* Payroll supervision

* NI/Tax payments due to HMRC

* Maintain/update staff benefits scheme

* CQS applications

* Practising certificate bulk renewal application

* PII renewal

* Insurance renewals

* Finance arrangements

* SRA applications when required

* Team appraisals

* Provide support to staff in relation to software/systems including P4W, Bundledocs, Legl ID checks, PeopleHR, Formshare etc.