Head Cashier / Cashier (12 month FTC)

About Withersworldwide

A law firm focused on people and collaboration. For the past 125 years, Withers has supported some of the world's most remarkable people and organisations at defining moments in their lives. We are the only international law firm focused on successful individuals and private capital, working closely with founders, investors and family offices. We also advise governments, charities, global brands and start-ups of all shapes and sizes. Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle many of the world's problems.  It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice. Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, looking after their family, involved in a complex dispute or protecting their finances for the future. To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. We are agile, focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy. It is a truly flexible working culture that puts people first. Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a proactive, confident and enthusiastic Legal Head Cashier to join our busy Finance team. You must have at least two years' experience of managing a legal cashier team. Detailed knowledge of and experience of working with the SRA Accounts Rules is essential and experience with Elite 3E is desirable. The candidate must be comfortable with an integrated, multi-currency Practice Management System (PMS) and also have good experience of Microsoft Office tools especially Excel and Word.

This role would suit a good communicator with high levels of interpersonal skills. You will be able to motivate and inspire the cashier team, and inspire confidence within the Firm. You must be organised and accurate, and have the ability to deal with a high volume of work, meeting deadlines under pressure.

Areas of focus and responsibilities

• Proactively manage the cashier team (3 cashiers), ensuring that they are motivated, trained and able to carry out effectively and efficiently the daily, weekly and monthly tasks they are responsible for. You must ensure that the team is sufficiently skilled to cover for each other during holidays and sickness.
• Manage and delegate appropriately the cashier team's tasks which include, but are not limited to:
• Processing client and office payments – CHAPS, BACS and International payments via the firm's online banking portals - C Hoare & Co (client account) and HSBCnet (office account). Making the corresponding postings to the current PMS – 3E.
• Identifying and processing electronic and cheque receipts into the client and office accounts, ensuring prompt and accurate allocation. Promptly sending communication to the relevant fee earners of monies received.
• Daily and monthly bank reconciliations.
• Investigating and promptly clearing any entries temporarily posted to the suspense ledgers.
• Cancelling out of date cheques, investigating and re-issuing payments where necessary.
• Ordering, posting and reconciling foreign currency for staff travelling to other offices.
• Maintaining deposit and joint accounts in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules.
• Answering general queries as they arise.
• Documenting, reviewing and improving processes and procedures.
• Key point of contact with regards to the firm's compliance with the SRA accounts rules.
• Managing the residual client balances process via the RCAB module of Credit Force software, ensuring that all client balances are dealt with in line the SRA Accounts Rules.
• Full involvement in the annual client monies audit, liaising with the firm's auditors, other members of the Finance teams and fee earners, to ensure that the relevant information and documentation is available for an efficient audit.
• Developing training material and training staff to ensure they are familiar with the SRA accounts rules and the firm's policies and procedures as they relate to cashiering.
• Proactively maintain the central register of bank accounts, in compliance with the SRA rules.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Skills and attributes

• Excellent communicator and manager with high levels of interpersonal skills and the ability to lead & inspire others.
• Outstanding knowledge of and experience with the SRA accounts rules.
• Ability to inspire confidence throughout the firm.
• Organised and accurate - paying attention to detail.
• Able to use initiative and be self-sufficient.
• Ability to deal with a high volume of work and work well under pressure.
• Able to take command of individual projects, with full support from senior managers.
• Excellent knowledge and experience of Excel and Word.
• Accounting (AAT) or ILFM qualification desirable.

The Essentials

• 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• 12 week probation period
• 4 weeks’ notice period
• Flexible benefits package including pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on site café.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

Withersworldwide endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withersworldwide operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

It is the policy of Withersworldwide to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.