Legal Bookkeeper

Department: Operations

Location: Johannesburg

The purpose of this role is to deliver accurate, timely, and compliant legal cashiering services to a portfolio of UK-based client sites. The Legal Bookkeeper ensures all financial transactions are processed correctly, trust and client accounts are maintained in line with regulations, and high-quality support is provided to legal firms across diverse, fast-paced environments.

Key Responsibilities

Transaction Processing & Daily Cashiering

· Process all client and office account transactions accurately, including receipts, payments, transfers, and allocations.

· Post entries to the accounting system in line with firm procedures and timelines.

· Reconcile daily banking and ensure all discrepancies are escalated and resolved promptly.

· Manage petty cash, credit card expenses, and reimbursements where required.

Compliance & Regulatory Adherence

· Ensure all financial transactions comply with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules and internal financial controls.

· Maintain accurate and up-to-date audit trails for all postings and reconciliations.

· Support preparation for internal and external audits by providing required documentation.

Client & Trust Account Management

· Monitor and reconcile client balances, ensuring funds are handled strictly in accordance with regulatory requirements.

· Process client account payments, refunds, and transfers with strict attention to detail.

· Identify and act on residual balances, breaches, or irregularities in client accounts.

Month-End & Financial Reporting

· Complete month-end reconciliations, including bank, client account, and suspense accounts.

· Assist with producing financial reports, statements, and summaries for client firms.

· Ensure all deadlines for financial returns and reporting cycles are met.

Stakeholder Support & Communication

· Liaise with UK-based fee earners, finance teams, and external stakeholders to resolve queries and provide accurate financial information.

· Handle queries regarding postings, balances, or missing documentation professionally and promptly.

· Build strong working relationships with allocated client sites to ensure consistent service delivery.

Documentation & Record Maintenance

· Maintain digital and physical financial records in line with data protection and firm policies.

· Ensure invoices, receipts, and supporting documentation are complete and correctly filed.

· Support continuous improvement of financial processes and controls.

Operational Excellence

· Prioritise tasks effectively to manage a varied and fast-paced workload.

· Uphold accuracy and attention to detail across all cashiering activities.

· Contribute to team knowledge-sharing and best practice development.

· performance, fostering a motivated and customer-focused support environment.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Knowledge

· Understanding of accounting principles and double-entry bookkeeping.

· Working knowledge of legal cashiering processes, client/office accounts, and trust accounting.

· Familiarity with UK Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounting Rules (advantageous).

· Knowledge of legal practice management or accounting systems (e.g., cashiering or ERP platforms).

· Awareness of data protection, confidentiality requirements, and financial controls.

Skills

· Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail.

· BCom Accounting or Equivalent finance qualification.

· Ability to manage high volumes of transactional work without compromising quality.

· Excellent organisational and time-management skills to handle multiple client sites.

· Confident communication skills (written and verbal) when liaising with UK teams.

· Proficient in Microsoft Excel and general computer literacy.

· Problem-solving mindset with the ability to investigate and resolve discrepancies.

· Ability to work independently and within a remote, distributed team.

Experience

· Minimum 2-5 years experience as a senior bookkeeper/accountant to balance sheet essential.

· Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven financial environment.

· Exposure to UK legal finance or international clients is an advantage, but not essential.

· Experience processing reconciliations, payments, banking, and trust fund transactions.

· Proven track record of accuracy, reliability, and maintaining high compliance standards.

· Prior leadership of cross-functional teams or multi-skilled teams.

Other Contextual Information/Special Features

· This role provides customer support primarily to clients based in the UK, requiring alignment with UK business hours and public holiday schedules.

· The position follows a strict hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office, with two days remote.

· Occasional flexibility may be required during peak periods, product updates, or urgent customer matters.

· Workload may fluctuate based on seasonal demand, UK public holidays, or planned product releases.

· Collaboration with internal teams (e.g., Product, Development, Senior Support) may be required to resolve complex issues and maintain service quality.

Benefits

At Dye & Durham we strive to be visionaries! As a leader in our field, we ensure our employees are ready for the next challenge in their journey with us by offering internal and external training opportunities. We offer competitive salaries and a whole host of benefits including healthcare, pension, company discounts, wellness programs, and paid days off to move house or volunteer for your favourite charity.

Please note, all applicants must have the legal right to live and work in South Africa. Proof will be required during the recruitment process.