Should a law firm outsource its legal cashiering?

Legal cashiering is specialist, deadline-driven work and mistakes can create compliance as well as operational problems. Outsourcing can give a firm experienced support without relying on one internal cashier.

The service needs to understand the SRA Accounts Rules, client money, office money, transfers, residual balances and reconciliation requirements. General bookkeeping experience on its own isn't enough.

Outsourcing the processing doesn't outsource the firm's regulatory responsibility. The COFA and management still need appropriate oversight, approvals and evidence that the controls are operating.

Look at experience, cover, security, response times, reconciliation processes and how the provider works with your practice-management system. Price matters, but reliability and compliance discipline matter more.