Senior Bookkeeper (Legal), Gauteng

Sheldon Recruitment

Date: 3 weeks ago
City: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Contract type: Full time

Reference: EL003363-Ursul-1

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.

Salary: Market related

To apply email detailed CV and supporting documentation through to

If you have not received a response within 7 working days, please consider your application unsuccessful

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