Accounts Assistant

Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.

We advise businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations, individuals and families on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.

The firm fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment. From the minute you walk through the door, you are greeted by warm and friendly people. We recruit the best, and we work with inspirational people who are keen to share their knowledge. Our employees embody our values of integrity, excellence and partnership, and this means that our people develop lasting relationships around the firm.

The Firm acts for the Duchy of Lancaster and Duchy of Cornwall and administers assets that arise when companies dissolve or individual residents die intestate in the Duchy areas. These assets are known as “bona vacantia” and require verification and certain investigations before we deal with them on behalf of the Duchies. The bona vacantia team at Farrers includes two Partners and two Associates and works closely with our Accounts department.

The focus of the role is to provide accounts and administrative support to the bona vacantia team including the payment and collection of monies.  The successful applicant will be based within the bona vacantia team, but will work very closely and, as required, sit with the firm’s Accounts department.

• Liaise daily with Accounts team concerning bona vacantia matters and processes

• Pay in all cheques and generally ensure monies are allocated to correct files

• Review information submitted from banks in respect of dissolved company funds to be transferred, liaising with banks and third parties generally

• Preparing credit slips for bank transfers in accordance with instructions

• Complete account forms generally for the team

• Prepare all third-party bills

• Assist with quarterly client billing, including moving work in progress as necessary

• Review data for 6 monthly reporting, including detailed review of client ledgers

• Take the lead on file opening for dissolved company and intestate matters and record keeping

• Assist with general telephone enquiries

• Carry out Companies House checks

• Assist with waiver letters for company restorations

• Provide support generally to other members of the bona vacantia team

• Understanding of financial accounting is essential and ideally gained through previous experience within a professional services firm

• Strong MS skills, in particular Excel

• A good working knowledge of accounting practices

• Clear verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to prioritise competing demands, multi-task and stay organised

• Can operate on own initiative and to strict deadlines

• Careful attention to detail

Our standard office hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm but a degree of flexibility is required to support the needs of the business, especially at month end.