Even for seasoned professionals, accounting for law firms can be scary. You may have spent years perfecting your legal abilities, but law school didn't teach you about accounting or bookkeeping for lawyers. Here’s the good news: We’ve done much of the leg-work for you. You can get a comprehensive overview of the foundations of accounting and bookkeeping for legal companies in this manual. We'll cover the fundamentals of law firm accounting and attorney bookkeeping, including the distinction between bookkeeping and accounting, key legal accounting terminologies, common blunders, and recommended procedures. Do lawyers need accounting? If you own a small law firm, you must understand the fundamentals of bookkeeping and account for law firms. This way, your company can remain compliant with ethics rules while also ensuring it is not losing money. Bookkeeping vs. accounting for law firms: Before we go any further, it's important to distinguish between two terms that can and should be used interchangeably: bookkeeping and accounting. Legal bookkeepers and legal accountants work with your firm's finances with the common goal of assisting your firm in growing and succeeding financially. But what they do with that data (and when they do it) varies. Each has a specific function at your company. Why bookkeeping and accounting matter for law firms: "Legal accounting and bookkeeping are both essential." This statement is obvious... but a little hazy. You know you should care about law firm accounting, but do you know why and how much? What is the solution? As the owner of a law firm, you should be concerned about law firm accounting and bookkeeping. Accounting for law firms is critical to the success of your firm. You must use sound bookkeeping for attorneys to ensure that your firm's financial statements are accurate, complete, and up to date. Your firm requires a clear, accurate accounting system to obtain a rich financial picture and meet your obligations to your firm, clients, and the state bar. This is why: -You need to stay compliant -You need to grow your business -You could be harming your reputation. -Set revenue benchmarks. -Create expectations for cash flow and expenses. -Make it easier to set aside funds for big-ticket expenses like annual bar dues. What exactly do legal bookkeepers do? -Bookkeepers handle the administration of financial recordkeeping at your law firm in terms of accounting for law firms. Among the primary responsibilities are: -Keeping track of financial transactions. -Financial accounts must be balanced. -Reconciliations of bank accounts -Making invoices. Get in touch today and get books of accounts sorted for your legal business.