Legal Accounts Assistant - Sunderland

QED Legal Recruitment Limited; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Christmas Eve

Pension

Group life insurance

Support helpline

Training opportunities

Social events

Discounted legal services

Career progression

Job summary

QED Legal Recruitment Limited is seeking an Accounts Assistant for a Sunderland-based law firm finance team. You will support day-to-day accounting tasks, work within LEAP and Xero, and help with VAT coding and reconciliations.

Strong numeracy, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in developing a career in finance are essential. Office-based, full-time role with clear progression to higher finance roles.

Qualifications

• Numerical and organised approach with strong attention to detail.
• Accurate and able to work with deadlines and priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and accounting software.
• Experience or willingness to learn Xero/LEAP for finance tasks.

Responsibilities

• Process supplier invoices and credit notes accurately.
• Allocate receipts and maintain debtor records.
• Assist with credit control and aged receivables.
• Support VAT coding and financial record keeping.
• Post bank transactions and perform reconciliations.
• Maintain LEAP and Xero records and respond to queries.

Skills

Numerical skills

Attention to detail

Excel

Accounting software

Communication

Time management

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

AAT qualification (beneficial)

Tools

Xero

LEAP

Job description

Accounts Assistant - Law Firm

Location: Sunderland

Full-time | Permanent | Office Based

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Are you looking to build a long-term career in accounts and finance with genuine opportunities to develop and progress?

A well-established and growing law firm in Sunderland is looking for an Accounts Assistant to join its busy Finance team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with some previous accounts or finance experience, or an ambitious individual looking to develop their career within legal finance and professional services.

You don't necessarily need previous law firm experience. What matters most is that you're numerate, organised, accurate and genuinely interested in developing a career in finance.

Importantly, this role offers a clear career progression pathway, with the opportunity for the successful candidate to work towards AAT Level 4 qualifications and relevant professional accreditations, with the potential to progress towards finance management over time.

The Role

Working as part of the firm's Finance team, you'll provide accurate and timely support across a broad range of day-to-day accounting activities.

• Processing supplier invoices and credit notes
• Allocating receipts and maintaining debtor records
• Assisting with credit control and aged receivables
• Supporting the resolution of billing queries
• Posting bank transactions and maintaining cashbook records
• Completing regular bank reconciliations and investigating discrepancies
• Processing staff expenses and checking supporting documentation
• Assisting with VAT coding and financial record keeping
• Maintaining accurate information within accounting systems, including LEAP and Xero
• Supporting compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and internal finance procedures
• Responding to finance-related queries from colleagues across the firm
• Identifying opportunities to improve finance processes and accuracy
• Maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive client and financial information

About You

We're interested in speaking to candidates who have strong attention to detail, enjoy working with numbers and want to develop their career within an established professional environment.

Previous experience as an Accounts Assistant, Finance Assistant, Accounts Administrator, Junior Legal Cashier or similar would be advantageous, but isn't essential.

You should have:

• Strong numerical and organisational skills
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail
• Good Microsoft Excel skills
• Confidence using accounting or finance software
• Professional written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• A methodical and proactive approach to your work
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A genuine desire to build a career in finance

An AAT qualification, or currently studying towards AAT, would be beneficial but is not essential.

Experience within a law firm, accountancy practice or other professional services environment would also be welcomed.

Career Development

This opportunity would particularly suit someone who doesn't simply want their next Accounts Assistant position, but wants somewhere they can develop and progress.

The firm offers structured career development, internal and external training and support towards relevant qualifications, including the opportunity to progress towards AAT Level 4 and potentially into a finance management position over time.

Benefits

Alongside a competitive salary, the successful candidate will receive:

• 27 days' holiday plus Christmas Eve
• Pension
• Group life insurance, subject to eligibility
• 24/7 employee support helpline
• Internal and external training opportunities
• Regular firm-wide social events
• Discounted legal services
• Genuine opportunities for career progression

This is a full-time, office-based Accounts Assistant position in Sunderland, working Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm.