Senior Bookkeeper (Legal), Gauteng at Sheldon Recruitment

• We are seeking a Senior Bookkeeper (Legal) for a permanent vacancy based in Parktown North, Gauteng

Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:

• Relevant bookkeeping / accounting qualification.
• At least 5–8 years’ bookkeeping experience, preferably within a law firm or legal practice
• Proven experience with trust and business accounting in an attorneys’ practice
• Experience with legal accounting systems such as Practice Manager Pro (PMPro) LegalSuite, AJS, GhostPractice, or similar will be advantageous
• Strong Excel and general accounting software proficiency
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure

Key Competencies

• Strong knowledge of legal practice accounting controls and reconciliations
• Excellent numerical and analytical ability
• Sound organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to meet strict month-end and compliance deadlines
• Understanding of conveyancing accounting processes
• Integrity, discretion, and professionalism
• Clear communication skills and ability to work with legal practitioners and support staff

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Maintain strict compliance with trust accounting and internal control requirements.
• Ensure that all reconciliations and finance records are complete, accurate, and audit ready.
• Identify discrepancies promptly and escalate risks appropriately.
• Contribute to efficient finance operations and continuous process improvement.
• Operate with a high degree of confidentiality and accountability.
• Support the firm in maintaining sound financial governance and regulatory compliance.

The successful applicant would be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Maintain the firm’s business and trust accounting records accurately and timeously.
• Process and reconcile trust receipts, trust payments, transfers, and interest.
• Perform daily, weekly, and monthly trust reconciliations and ensure compliance with legal practice accounting requirements.
• Manage creditors, debtors, general ledger, journals, cashbook, and bank reconciliations.
• Monitor and reconcile client matters, trust creditors, and fee transfers.
• Prepare and process monthly management accounts and supporting schedules.
• Attend to billing support, receipts allocation, write-offs, and collection reporting.
• Administer payroll inputs and assist with payroll reconciliations where required.
• Assist with year-end audit preparation, including trust audit support and provision of audit schedules.
• Maintain strong internal financial controls and ensure proper segregation and authorisation of transactions.
• Support FICA-related financial record keeping and source document retention.
• Liaise with partners, fee earners, auditors, banks, and service providers on finance-related matters.
• Opening and closure of Trust Investments.
• Ensure confidentiality, accuracy, and professional handling of all firm and client financial records.