Solicitors Accounts & Legal Bookkeeping
Compliant, Accurate and Fully Outsourced Bookkeeping for Irish Solicitors
Solicitors must comply with the Solicitors Accounts Regulations 2023, maintain detailed client and office account records and ensure all financial activity is audit-ready. Non-compliance can lead to inspections, findings, reputational damage and financial penalties.
Our outsourced solicitors bookkeeping service provides a specialist, end-to-end accounting and compliance solution for Irish legal practices. We manage your bookkeeping, reconciliations and reporting to ensure complete alignment with SAR 2023 while giving principals and partners full visibility over the financial health of the practice. We also support firms who require ongoing financial oversight through our Management Accounts service.
Suitable for sole practitioners, growing practices and multi-partner firms seeking accurate records, compliance confidence and reduced admin workload.
Who This Service Is Suitable For
- Sole practitioners
- Small and mid-sized law firms
- Firms without internal bookkeeping capacity
- Practices with previous compliance issues
- Growing practices requiring scalable financial support
- New practices needing a full bookkeeping setup
Practices with staff can also streamline internal operations using our Payroll service.
What Is Included in the Solicitors Accounts Service
Outsourced Legal Bookkeeping
- Posting and reconciliation of all client and office transactions
- Maintaining client ledger cards with complete audit trails
- Monitoring unusual movements and identifying risks early
- Ensuring full separation of office and client funds
- Correct treatment of outlays, disbursements and professional fees
- Structured month-end bookkeeping and reporting for partners
Compliance with SAR 2023
- Full alignment with updated Solicitors Accounts Regulations 2023
- Ensuring no overdrawn client ledger balances
- Tracking client ledger balances over 2 years old
- Review of transfers, withdrawals and inter-account movements
- Ensuring month-end balancing statements are prepared
- Early identification of compliance breaches
- Preparation of clear records for the annual Reporting Accountant
Client Account Reconciliation
- Monthly reconciliation of client and office bank accounts
- Balancing ledgers against bank statements and internal records
- Identifying and resolving discrepancies promptly
- Maintaining a full reconciliation pack
- Ensuring all client funds are fully accounted for at all times
Office Accounts & Financial Management
- Debtors and creditors reporting
- VAT on legal services, mixed supplies and reverse charge scenarios
- Cashflow forecasting and partner remuneration tracking
- Expense tracking and budgeting
- Optional management accounts preparation
- Support for year-end accountant requirements
For firms needing broader financial reporting and budgeting, our Accounting Services team can provide additional support – contact us today.
Reporting Pack for Annual Accountant Review
- Full reconciliation documentation
- Ledger listings, trial balances, balancing statements
- Outlay and disbursement schedules
- Unpresented items listing
- Supporting schedules for the Reporting Accountant
- Reduces delays and cost at year-end
If your firm is newly incorporated or expanding, you may also benefit from our Company Formation service to ensure all post-incorporation requirements are met.
Why Legal Firms Outsource Their Bookkeeping
- Ensures continuous compliance with SAR 2023
- Reduces the risk of regulatory findings
- Avoids internal bookkeeping errors
- Saves time for solicitors and legal support staff
- Removes the need to hire internal bookkeeping resources
- Provides specialist expertise unique to legal accounting
- Ensures audit-ready records throughout the year
- Predictable monthly fees for easier budgeting
How the Solicitors Accounts Service Works
Step 1: Onboarding and Setup
We collect required documents, review your current structure and set up your bookkeeping in line with SAR 2023.
Step 2: Transaction Posting
Client and office account transactions are recorded accurately and promptly.
Step 3: Reconciliation
Monthly reconciliation of client and office accounts against bank records.
Step 4: Compliance Monitoring
Any anomalies, breaches or risks are flagged immediately to principals.
Step 5: Reporting Pack Preparation
Structured, audit-ready documentation for the Reporting Accountant.
Step 6: Ongoing Support
Continuous bookkeeping, advisory and compliance support as your firm grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you manage both client and office accounts?
Yes, both accounts are fully maintained and reconciled.
Are your processes compliant with SAR 2023?
Yes. All bookkeeping is structured around the updated 2023 regulations.
Do you work with our current legal or accounting software?
Yes, most systems used by Irish solicitors are supported.
Do you replace our Reporting Accountant?
No. We prepare compliant records for them and streamline the process.
How often are reconciliations completed?
Typically monthly, with more frequent cycles available for larger firms.
Do you assist during inspections or Reporting Accountant queries?
Yes, we prepare documentation and support the review process.
Schedule A Consultation
If you are looking for help with Solicitors Accounts & Legal Bookkeeping, our team can review your situation and advise on the most efficient approach.
