Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Our firm
We are an award-winning specialist civil liberties and human rights firm. We undertake a broad range of private and public law litigation for claimants. We are recommended in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 directories.
As a firm we remain committed to undertaking legal aid work and acting for marginalised individuals and groups.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Legal Finance and Billing Officer to support the financial and operational effectiveness of the firm. This is a pivotal role working closely with the COO, fee earners, outsourced cashiers, accountants, costs lawyers and external suppliers to ensure the smooth running of the firm's billing, financial administration and regulatory compliance activities.
The successful candidate will combine strong legal finance knowledge with excellent attention to detail, a problem-solving mindset and a commitment to delivering accurate, timely and compliant financial processes.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Aid Billing and Costs Management
- Prepare, submit and manage all aspects of legal aid billing including:
- Submitting Legal Help (controlled work) claims.
- Submitting payments on account of costs (“POA”) for disbursements and profit costs on certificated matters.
- Assist cost lawyer/fee-earners in relation to final bills on certificated matters (including LAA and court assessed bills).
- Assist with legal aid appeals.
- Monitor claim submissions and payment timelines and liaise with the Legal Aid Agency in relation to queries and payment issues.
Inter-partes (“IP”) costs
- Liaise with fee-earners/cost lawyer in relation to costs recovered from Defendants on an IP basis.
- Prepare accurate interim and final invoices where IP costs recovered.
Private Client Billing
- Prepare and process private client bills accurately and in a timely manner.
- Support fee earners with billing queries and reporting requirements.
- Ensure all billing documentation meets internal and regulatory requirements.
Financial Operations
- Work alongside outsourced cashiers to ensure financial transactions are posted promptly and accurately.
- Review and monitor client and office account transactions.
- Assist with client and office account reconciliations.
- Support compliance with Solicitors Accounts Rules and other financial regulations.
- Investigate and resolve financial discrepancies and queries.
Disbursement and Supplier Management
- Liaise with counsel, experts and other suppliers regarding invoices and disbursements.
- Ensure disbursements are accurately allocated to client matters and paid in accordance with agreed terms.
- Maintain accurate records of outstanding payments and supplier balances.
Finance and Business Support
- Support the COO with payroll administration and office expense management.
- Assist with VAT return preparation and liaise with the firm's accountants where required.
- Contribute to budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting activities.
- Assist in the development, implementation and review of financial policies and procedures.
- Help maintain robust financial controls and compliance frameworks.
Administration and Continuous Improvement
- Provide general financial and administrative support across the firm.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and reporting.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with regulatory and business requirements.
- Support the firm's broader operational and strategic objectives.
Every Week You Will
- Review and oversee legal aid and private client billing activities.
- Work with outsourced cashiers to ensure postings are up to date and accurate.
- Monitor client and office account transactions and address any issues.
- Process supplier invoices and track disbursement payments.
- Support fee earners with billing and finance-related queries.
- Review financial reports and identify any anomalies requiring investigation.
- Assist the COO with finance administration, payroll and office expenses.
- Liaise with accountants, costs lawyers and external stakeholders as required.
- Contribute ideas to improve efficiency, compliance and financial performance.
Experience and Skills Required
Essential
- Experience working within a private practice law firm, chambers or legal charity.
- Strong understanding of the Solicitors Accounts Rules and their practical application.
- Experience of Legal Aid billing and private client billing processes.
- Knowledge of client and office account management and reconciliation procedures.
- Ability to interpret financial reports, including ledgers, reconciliation reports, billing reports and profit and loss statements.
- Proficiency in accounting software, legal case management systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Financially astute with an aptitude for working with numbers, systems and processes.
Desirable
- Experience supporting VAT returns and payroll processes.
- Experience of working with outsourced finance functions.
- Experience supporting compliance and regulatory audits.
- Knowledge of legal aid contracts and Legal Aid Agency processes.
Personal Attributes
- Proactive and self-motivated.
- Highly organised and dependable.
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively.
- Curious, inquisitive and always looking for better ways of working.
- Resilient and solutions-focused.
- Committed to the firm's mission of empowering clients and challenging unlawful conduct by the Government and those in positions of power.
What Good Looks Like
First 30 Days
- Develop a strong understanding of the firm's systems, workflows and financial processes.
- Build effective working relationships with the COO, fee earners, outsourced cashiers, accountants and external suppliers.
- Gain confidence in the firm's billing procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Successfully process legal aid and private client bills with appropriate supervision.
- Become familiar with key financial reports, reconciliations and compliance procedures.
First 60 Days
- Independently manage routine legal aid and private client billing activities.
- Take ownership of supplier and disbursement management processes.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency or reduce administrative burden.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of Solicitors Accounts Rules in day-to-day practice.
- Provide reliable support to the COO on payroll, expenses and finance administration.
First 90 Days
- Be recognised as a trusted point of contact for legal finance and billing matters.
- Manage billing and financial administration activities with minimal supervision.
- Deliver consistently accurate and timely billing, reporting and compliance support.
- Contribute to improvements in financial processes, controls or reporting.
- Demonstrate a measurable positive impact on the efficiency, accuracy and compliance of the firm's financial operations.
Location – Farringdon, EC1V 4JP
Full time role – Office Based 5 days a week with possible flexibility to work from home after 6 months.
Start date – As soon as possible.
Salary – £27,000 to £32,000 - dependant on experience. We will consider applicants with varying experience. The role and salary will be adapted accordingly.
Pay: £27,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience with Legal Aid billing, private client billing, and/or the Solicitors Accounts Rules?
Work Location: In person
