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This one-hour session is designed to provide a concise yet comprehensive refresher on the key principles and practical applications of the SRA Accounts Rules. Aimed at legal finance professionals and solicitors with prior knowledge of the rules, this training will revisit core compliance requirements, highlight common pitfalls, and reinforce best practices in handling client money.

Through a mix of discussion and practical examples, we’ll explore the risk-based approach to compliance, recent trends in SRA monitoring, and the accountant’s role in reporting. Whether you're brushing up for internal assurance or preparing for an external audit, this session will help ensure your understanding remains current and compliant.

In this webinar Luke Dickinson will cover the following topics:

• Overview of the Current SRA Accounts Rules
• A recap of the streamlined rules introduced in 2019, focusing on their structure, purpose, and the shift towards a principles-based approach.
• Handling Client Money and Office Money
• Clarifying the distinction between client and office money, and reviewing best practices for proper handling, banking, and recording.
• Common Breaches and How to Avoid Them
• Identifying the most frequently breached rules and discussing practical steps to ensure compliance and avoid regulatory scrutiny.
• The Role of Fee Earners and Finance Staff
• Exploring how collaboration between legal and finance teams supports compliance, including responsibilities for record-keeping and reconciliations.
• Recent Developments and Enforcement Trends
• Highlighting recent SRA enforcement actions, the impact of high-profile cases like Axiom Ince, and what they signal about future regulatory focus.

By the end of this training, participants will have a clear and practical understanding of the SRA Accounts Rules, enabling them to confidently apply the principles in day-to-day practice and maintain full compliance with regulatory requirements.

This webinar will be of most interest to COFAs (Compliance Officers for Finance and Administration), legal cashiers, and other legal professionals responsible for or supporting the financial compliance of law firms under the SRA Accounts Rules.

Course level: Foundation