Legal bookkeeping

This course is no longer available.

Module 1: Fundamentals of accounting within a law firm

Module 1 will introduce you to basic accounting principles applicable within a law firm.  Balancing the books is a crucial part of ensuring the overall health of a law firm.  The module will impart a sound understanding of the basic financial management and accounting principles that will assist practitioners to conduct a successful and profitable legal practice.  At the end of this module, you will be armed with an overall understanding of legal accounting which will enable you to work more efficiently and ensure that you are an asset to your firm.  This course lays the theoretical foundation for module 2.  Module 1 is therefore a prerequisite for Module 2.  

Recommended: Our 'General course in legal practice' if you have no prior knowledge of legal practice.

Course content

Module 1 - Foundation

  • Trust account                                                             
  • Business account                                                       
  • Source documents                                                                 
  • Ledgers                                                                      
  • Determination of trust position                                             
  • Requisition form                                                                    
  • Statement of account                                                
  • Value-added tax                                                                    
  • Costs                                                                          
  • Computerised accounting software                                      
  • Disclosure of fees                                                       
  • Trust investment                                                        
  • Contingency fee                                                                     
  • Fees                                                                            
  • Collection commission        

Read more about the course content here.

Module 2: Advanced accounting within a law firm

Module 2 is an advanced course focusing on accounting within a law firm.  After completing Module 1, participants can opt to complete this intensive 2-day (mornings only) course.  Emphasis is placed on ensuring that the books are completed correctly and that accounting to third parties is beyond reproach.  At the end of this module, you will walk away with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of legal accounting and will be able to complete financial reports.

Recommended: Our 'General course in legal practice' if you have no prior knowledge of legal practice.

Course content

Module 2 - Advanced

  • Basic control principles
  • Origin of bookkeeping
  • Duties of a legal bookkeeper
  • Business cash book
  • Trust cash records
  • Ledgers
  • Trial balance
  • Transfer journal
  • Value-added tax
  • Computerised accounting systems
  • Trust investment
  • Conveyancing transactions
  • Correspondent transactions
  • Financial reporting

Read more about the course content here.

Who should attend?
  • Legal practitioners (especially sole practitioners who intend to practise for their own account).

  • Legal support staff or paralegals and bookkeepers involved in the daily bookkeeping operations of their law firm.

 
The logistics
  • Module 1 is presented on Zoom over 3 hours from 08:00–11:30.  Module 2 is presented over 8 hours (2 mornings) from 08:00–12:30.

  • Lectures for module 1 can be attended either online, by obtaining recordings or through self-study.  Lectures for module 2 can be attended online or by obtaining the recordings.  Module 2 is not available as a self-study option. 

  • When opting for recordings, follow the instructions in your registration confirmation email to request access to view recordings online.  Recordings can be viewed at any time once you've received login details.  Recordings are only available for a limited time (2 weeks), please refer to your registration confirmation letter for more information.  Recordings will be available 3 working days after lectures have taken place.

  • The presentation is accompanied by a comprehensive reference manual.

  • The material is presented in an interactive format, with an evaluation that needs to be successfully completed to qualify you to receive your certificate.

Our promise
  • This course is a great way to upskill or polish your bookkeeping knowledge.

  • At the end of this module, you will walk away with in-depth knowledge and understanding of legal accounting and will be able to complete financial reports.

  • The material is presented in an interactive format, with an evaluation that needs to be successfully completed to qualify you to receive your certificate.

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Admission Application Template Pack

Fill out this form to download your FREE copy of our template pack for the application to be admitted as legal practitioner.

The template pack includes:

  • A checklist for the application for admission in terms of the Legal Practice Act
  • A list of requisite annexures
  • A template for the notice of motion
  • A template for the founding affidavit
  • A template for the supporting affidavit