Senior Bookkeeper (Legal), Gauteng
Sheldon Recruitment · Gauteng
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Start free — we apply for you →- 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.