Head Legal Cashier

Law Staff; Bexleyheath; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + birthday day off

Pension scheme

Healthcare cashback scheme

Free eye tests

Staff discounts on legal services

Job summary

Law Staff in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head Legal Cashier to lead a small accounts team within a busy high street practice in Bexleyheath. The role combines hands-on cashiering with financial management and strategic input.

You will oversee daily processing, VAT returns, audits, management accounts and credit control, while mentoring staff and liaising with external auditors and bankers. AAT qualification and strong Excel skills are preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Legal Cashier, ideally at a supervisory level.
• Solid knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules and legal accounting procedures.
• Experience handling VAT returns, client money audits and financial reporting.
• Excellent Excel skills and familiarity with legal accounting software (SOS or similar).

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation of the accounts team in accordance with SRA Accounts Rules.
• Maintain client and office bank accounts, reconcile daily, resolve discrepancies.
• Process client payments, receipts, transfers and disbursements via the case management system.
• Assist with bills, credit notes and timekeeping for fee earners.
• Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns to HMRC.
• Coordinate annual audits with external accountants.
• Assist Finance Director with monthly management accounts and reporting.
• Lead and mentor junior accounts staff, allocate tasks and monitor performance.

Skills

Legal cashier experience

SRA Accounts Rules knowledge

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

AAT qualification (Level 3+) or equivalent

Tools

SOS or similar

Job description

Are you an experienced Legal Cashier looking to step into a senior leadership role within a respected high street practice, offering 25 days holiday plus a birthday day off, a healthcare cashback scheme, and the opportunity to lead a small accounts team? This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on cashiering professional to combine day-to-day legal cashiering with broader financial management and strategic input.

About the Firm:

• A respected high street solicitors' practice based in Bexleyheath.
• A busy, fast-paced legal environment with a small, close-knit accounts team.
• A supportive working environment with genuine scope for professional growth.
• Committed to high standards of accuracy, compliance and client service.

Head Legal Cashier — Position Overview:

This is a full-time role commencing January 2027. The Head Legal Cashier will lead the firm's small accounts team, combining hands-on legal cashiering responsibilities with broader financial management duties, balancing operational oversight with strategic financial input.

Key Responsibilities of the Head Legal Cashier:

• Overseeing the daily operation of the accounts team, ensuring accurate and timely processing of all financial transactions in compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules.
• Maintaining client and office bank accounts, reconciling balances daily and resolving discrepancies promptly.
• Processing client payments, receipts, transfers and disbursements through the firm's case management system, and assisting fee earners with bills and credit notes.
• Preparing and submitting quarterly VAT returns to HMRC, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinating and managing the annual audit, liaising with external accountants and addressing findings.
• Assisting the Finance Director with monthly management accounts, financial reports and analysis for senior management.
• Overseeing credit control procedures and assisting with debt recovery processes.
• Line-managing and supporting the accounts team, allocating work, providing mentoring and fostering professional development.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for financial queries and liaising with the firm's bankers, auditors and other external stakeholders.

Requirements of the Head Legal Cashier:

• Proven experience as a Legal Cashier, ideally at a senior or supervisory level within a solicitors' practice.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules and legal accounting procedures.
• Experience managing VAT returns, client money audits and financial reporting.
• Hands-on experience working within a high street or similar legal environment.
• Previous experience managing or supervising an accounts team.
• Excellent knowledge of legal accounting software (e.g. SOS or similar) and proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.
• An AAT qualification (Level 3 or above) or equivalent, and knowledge of financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, would be desirable.

The Benefits for the Head Legal Cashier role:

• Competitive Salary
• 25 days holiday plus a day off for your birthday
• Pension scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Optional healthcare cashback scheme
• Free eye tests
• Access to a retail discounts platform and staff discount on legal services
• A key role in a respected high street practice with scope for professional growth
• And more