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Legal Accountant

Type: Permanent
Compensation: C$75k - C$85k / year
Location: Vancouver

Legal Accountant

$75,000 - $85,000

Vancouver BC (Hybrid)

ABOUT US

STRIVE is a Vancouver-based recruitment firm offering recruitment solutions in the specialist areas of Accounting & Finance, Corporate Administration, Operations & Manufacturing, and Technology. We are passionate about recruitment at STRIVE and commit to offering an upfront, genuine and consultative approach to everything we do - which is a big reason as to why we have been successful. Our proactive recruitment approach allows us to uncover high-calibre professionals for niche, specialized and what are often regarded as "hard to fill" roles.

 

THE ROLE

STRIVE Recruitment is currently partnered with one the most well-respected and recognized boutique law practices in Western Canada as they look to hire an experienced law-firm Accountant to join their team. The firm places a strong emphasis on employee well-being and work-life balance, offering a hybrid work arrangement.

This is a hands-on bookkeeping role with a strong focus on law-firm trust accounting and compliance.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the firm's day-to-day bookkeeping, including recording transactions, bank and trust reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing support, and maintaining accurate client and trust records.

A significant part of the role involves ensuring that trust accounting is accurate, properly documented, and handled in accordance with applicable Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) requirements.

This is not a high-level accounting or financial analysis position. The firm has an external accountant who handles year-end, tax matters, and higher-level financial analysis. The internal accountant will be responsible for ensuring that the firm's day-to-day financial records are accurate, complete, and ready for month-end and year-end reporting.

The position will work closely with lawyers, Partners, the accounting team, and the firm's external accountant.

Responsibilities:

  • Manage the firm's day-to-day bookkeeping, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, deposits, cheques, EFTs, general ledger, and client payments;
  • Manage trust accounting in accordance with LSBC requirements, including trust receipts, disbursements, transfers, client trust ledgers, and monthly trust reconciliations;
  • Investigate and resolve accounting and trust discrepancies, including negative client balances, potential shortages, outstanding trust items, and posting errors;
  • Review trust transfers and payments to ensure sufficient funds, appropriate authorization, and supporting documentation are in place;
  • Prepare monthly financial statements, budget comparison analysis, CRA tax remittances
  • Run and review A/R reports, assist with collections, and respond to lawyer and legal assistant questions regarding client balances, payments, and retainers;
  • Maintain accurate accounting records in ProLaw and ensure transactions are posted correctly to the appropriate account and matter;

The successful candidate will bring:

  • Technical experience — proven hands-on law-firm bookkeeping and trust accounting experience;
  • Meticulousness — exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy;
  • Coachability — a willingness to learn, accept feedback, follow established processes, and continuously improve; and,
  • Stability — a genuine interest in a long-term position and becoming a dependable member of the firm's accounting team.

We are looking for someone who understands that this role requires more than simply entering transactions. The successful candidate must be able to recognize when something does not look right, investigate the issue, ask the appropriate questions, and escalate concerns when necessary.

Qualifications:

·        3+ years of hands-on law-firm experience, with law-firm trust accounting experience strongly preferred;

·        Strong practical knowledge of LSBC trust accounting requirements, including trust reconciliations and client trust ledgers;

·        ProLaw experience is a strong asset; experience with PCLaw, CosmoLex, or similar legal accounting systems is also considered;

·        Strong bookkeeping, reconciliation, and Microsoft Excel skills;

·        Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, organization, and follow-through;

·        Strong judgment when handling client funds, with the ability to identify, investigate, and appropriately escalate discrepancies;

·        Excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently with lawyers, Partners, the accounting team, and external accountant;

·        Bookkeeping education or certification is an asset, but strong practical law-firm experience is equally valued.

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