Description
Legal Accountant
Branch MacMaster LLP is a litigation boutique with offices in Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario. The firm’s lawyers have in-depth knowledge and experience in insurance, class actions, and health law.
We have an opening for an experienced Legal Accountant to join our team.
About the Role
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.
Key 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;
Required Qualifications & Experience
- 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.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary with structured annual reviews
- Extended health and dental coverage
- Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Short and long-term disability insurance
- Group RRSP plan with matched contribution
- Firm social events
- Health & Wellness Account
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- Parental Leave Top Up
If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter in confidence to: [email protected] . Visit us at www.branchmacmaster.com
We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those short-listed will be contacted. All resumes are retained and treated in confidence. No phone calls pleas