Disbursements Assistant (12 month contract)

This client, a global law firm with an international network, with offices in many locations including USA, Middle East, Far East and Europe

The London office is ideally located for a number of stations including Liverpool Street, Cannon Street or Fenchurch Street with beautiful offices and an on-site gym and subsidised staff restaurant

They are now looking to recruit a Disbursements Assistant on a 12-month contract. The role is responsible for ensuring that all professional disbursement invoices are received and approved within the correct authorisation and limits. Ensuring all invoices are posted in an efficient, effective and accurate manner to the correct matter code and paid with adherence at all times to the provisions of the SRA accounts rules.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking reconciliations on receipt of counsel fee notes to ensure accurate and timely postings avoiding any inaccuracies or unaccounted entries and ensuring that all policies and procedures are adhered to.

• Inputting of transactions on behalf of the finance department, providing corporate governance and financial control.

• Ensuring that professional disbursements are processed in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with provisions of the SARs and with adherence to GAAP, VAT legislation and the firms internal controls.

• Ensuring that MPs and MFEs return all invoices, authorised in accordance with the firm’s signing policy in order to meet payment requirements.

• Inputting of transactions on behalf of the finance department, providing corporate governance and financial control.

• Building constructive working relationships with the MPs, MFEs and secretaries within the firm and key personnel within external organisations to ensure that focus is maintained on timely payments.

• Establishing and managing effective relationships with external suppliers.

• Accepting responsibility and taking ownership of operational issues, finding practical solutions and escalating problems where appropriate.

• Interacting with a wide range of contacts at different levels, requiring an awareness of own impact on others and an adjustment of behaviour accordingly.

• Providing commercial and legislative advice as appropriate.

• Obtaining relevant feedback in order to advise on improvements to the processes of the team and actively promoting the finance function.

Candidate Profile

• Very good awareness of the provisions of the Solicitors Accounts Rules and Customs & excise VAT legislation.

• Good awareness of GAAP and Money Laundering requirements.

• Experience of a legal environment and knowledge of professional disbursements an advantage.