At the time of writing, bank interest rates are sitting at an all-time low of 0.1%. Only a couple of years ago, a rate as low as this, let alone a sustained hold at this level, seemed inconceivable and yet we now face a possibility, if not likelihood, of...
Legal mental health charity LawCare has announced a new ground-breaking research study ‘Life in the Law’ ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 th October . The charity has teamed up with leading academics in the field Dr Emma Jones...
Introduction Earlier this year we published two surveys in conjunction with Saffery Champness, which considered how UK law firms were adapting their strategies around staffing, their views on future profitability and the initial impact on...
Welcome to the Institute’s 2020 guide to listed legal software suppliers . Lockdown has forced many firms to put all major decisions on hold for the past few months. Covid-19 has thrown us into adopting new working practices, principally...
You’ll be pleased to know, for once, the debate isn’t my favourite subject of all - ‘Disbursement -v- Recharge’ but the debate of ‘Face-to-Face -v- Online’ learning. Online training has been around for many, many years...
The impact of the Coronavirus will clearly have long lasting results on all of us, with new ways of working having to be quickly established in real time to cope with the challenges of going about our business under a lockdown with strict social distancing...
The ILFM has now run a second follow up survey in conjunction with Saffery Champness to understand the impact on UK law firms and their strategies around furloughing their staff members. Furloughing – where are we now? At the beginning of April,...
The SRA have stated that “We expect solicitors and firms to continue to meet the high standards the public expect”….. and…”We expect firms to have appropriate contingency plans in place for disruption, but we recognise that...
Furloughed but not forgotten Have you arranged training yet for your staff on furlough? The government is actively encouraging employers to do so * and the Institute is ready and keen to help you provide it. The furlough scheme will...
The ILFM has run a survey in conjunction with Saffery Champness to understand the impact on UK law firms and their strategies around furloughing their staff members Introduction We are living through deeply challenging and, for many, distressing times....
Rita Leat, Chief Executive of the IoP and Tim Kidd, Chief Executive of ILFM ‘got together’ (by distance!) recently to discuss how their professional bodies could help their members to ensure...
Donald Forsyth, partner at Saffery Champness, provides practical guidance on the topic. Forecast your cash requirements – If you are going to manage your firm’s cash flow, you must measure it. If you don't already forecast your cash...
02 Apr 2020 It has only been a couple of days since we made firms aware of new guidance relating to the SRA’s Accounts Rules and, in particular, the considerations for firms where there may be a delay in obtaining an Accountant’s Report, but...
30 Mar 2020 The last month has been enormously challenging for businesses across the globe and with the professional landscape changing on a daily basis, law firms may be struggling to keep abreast of the issues affecting them. Last week, in the midst...
The ILFM and Saffery Champness are inviting you to participate in a short survey (just 10 multiple choice questions), to understand the impact on law firms in the UK of the Coronavirus pandemic. All at the ILFM are here to support our members...
SRA News Help with common queries The SRA have summarised some of the most common queries they have received about the rules and the potential impact of coronavirus. They will keep these questions updated. They are also...
Message from our Chief Executive The rapidly changing situation due to the Coronavirus pandemic is affecting all of us and together we’re facing challenging times. At the ILFM, the health and wellbeing of...
Last week the Government announced a package of measures never seen before to help protect jobs and business throughout the coronavirus crisis. The key announcement was Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which will enable ALL businesses, regardless of...
Pascal Brass, a Controller in a global law firm, has been selected for a scholarship funded by Iceberg, which will allow him to study for an ILFM Diploma qualification. Pascal currently manages working capital and financial operations for three of the...
Changes to Inheritance Tax, Landlord Taxes and National Insurance Thresholds Expected in April 2020 As 2019 draws to a close and a new year and new decade awaits us, a number of changes to taxation legislation are due to be implemented in 2020....
It's that time again - The Legal Accounts Salary Survey carried out in partnership with Balance Recruitment. Please take part - the more data we can gather from across the country, the more accurate the results are. We need you! Our 2020 Legal...
Saffery Champness and the ILFM recently collaborated for our inaugural law firm survey. We gathered thoughts and opinions from a wide range individuals working within law firms, including partners and non-partners. We were especially pleased to be able...
All law firms should ideally have some form of office manual detailing the policies, controls and processes which have been agreed internally and which cover all operating aspects of the practice. The office manual is the law firm’s internal handbook...
Ahead of the new SRA Accounts Rules coming into force in November, Juliet Oliver, SRA General Counsel, outlines the key principles of the new regulations and the approaches available to manage and safeguard client money. Click here for: Full...
The new SRA Accounts Rules come into force on 25 November 2019 and COFAs need to prepare and take the opportunity to review their role. Richard Hill, ILFM Executive Council member and Practice Director at Stepien Lake LLP provides a few tips of what to...
Welcome to our special edition issue of Legal Abacus. The big change of the year will soon be upon us - the New SRA Accounts Rules. The Rules have been whittled down to just 13, with the focus on safety of client money. The SRA have provided...
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the ILFM’s Solicitors’ Software Awards 2019, voted by our members. Each year the ILFM asks its members to respond to a survey regarding best software which they use every day. The ILFM continues...
Working in legal finance brings its pressures and headaches. SRA Accounts Rules, compliance, regulations, fee earner demands and client placation. ILFM Membership is a must for legal finance and management professionals in the UK. We...
The ILFM and CILEx Regulation are working in partnership to provide high quality accounting and practice management knowledge and skills for lawyers. In this post we talk about risk, compliance,...
As always, we start with a big thank you to all of you who took the time out to contribute to our latest Salary Survey. We’ve had a huge response from the combined network of the ILFM and Balance Recruitment, and have subsequently been very busy...
Where has this first quarter gone? The ILFM team have been busy bunnies since January, mainly ensuring our experienced trainers are ready and raring to go with the new SRA Accounts Rules’ training events. Probably not surprising that our...
Nice little update direct from the SRA on the New Accounts Rules 2109 - LegalEx 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brXDgeK8ghE&feature=youtu.be Nice mention for the ILFM at 24mins This session offers an update on planned changes...
The SRA has confirmed that they will launch their new regulatory model on 25 November 2019, and the ILFM would like to ensure that all legal finance professionals are given practical training, updates and support before the rules come into play. ...
By Amanda Hamilton, NALP ‘Transparency’ is the latest buzz-word in the legal services sector – and rightly so! This author has long since expounded the necessity for it and, at last, the Solicitors Regulation Authority will be...
14th March 2019 The National Association of Licenced Paralegals is pleased to announce the launch of National Paralegal Day. Today is to celebrate the work that Paralegals do and the contribution they make to the legal profession. Whether...
The legal software market is amidst a period of change and consolidation. Previously, most Law Technology suppliers tended to be owner-managed businesses. However, today’s landscape is very different, with a good number being bought up by larger...
From legal cashiers, bookkeepers, head of accounts to COFAs – there has never been so much education and support through the ILFM . Knowledge is power. The ILFM team up each year with Balance Recruit , a specialist Legal Finance Recruitment...
From cashiers to COFAs – the role of a person within legal finance has changed so much over the past 20 years. Here’s why the profession requires support, training, education and friendly guidance more than ever before. The ILFM started...
This year we’re doing something different for everyone running SME law firms – recognising excellence in driving efficiency, creating innovation and focusing on people. That’s why we’re proud to launch the LPM Practice...
The ILFM’s history is one of support, advice and training. Over the years we have grown in tandem with new compliances and regulations to become the leading non-profit organisation for legal finance professionals. The ILFM was founded in 1978,...
COFAs are not necessarily responsible for the money-laundering requirements relating to a law firm’s clients. However, a recent disciplinary tribunal fined a principal, who was also the firm’s COFA, for failing to adhere to the relevant...
Darren Whelan highlights the key changes ILFM members need to be on top of as the New Year gets under way... Happy New Year! It sounds and feels a little strange wishing you all a happy new year considering I’m sat at Birmingham New Street...
...and we again need to ask for your help in compiling the invaluable data, which allows us to produce the most comprehensive survey of its kind for this niche community. The legal accounts community...
In their recent Bellwether discussion paper, ‘ A dangerous allegiance to the status quo? ’, LexisNexis published the results of a major market research project looking at how Small and Independent Law firms are responding to the Solicitors...
November 2018 Quill has strengthened its ties with The Institute of Legal Finance & Management (ILFM) by establishing a close partnership that will...
Next Spring, something massive is coming that is going to lead to huge changes for millions of businesses in the UK. No, not Brexit, we’re talking about Making Tax Digital. Paul Wynn at DPS Software explains what this means for your existing accounting...
As I write this, temperatures have already plummeted to near zero. Looking out of the window, Summer and Autumn appear to be greeting one another as old friends as we begin the transition from one season to another. Summer, and 2018 overall, almost seem like...
The Legal Services Board has published a press release stating they have approved the ‘Looking to the Future’ rule change application as submitted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Read the full release...
Well, here we are approaching the Autumn and we have our annual Conference and AGM coming up in November. We have a great line up of speakers for the Conference, including Chris Handford, Director of Policy for the SRA, so we will be hearing all about the up...
With just a few weeks to go until the start of our conference celebrating the Institute’s 40 th anniversary, you still have an opportunity to book your place at our early-bird discounted rate. For me, these are the highlights I’m most...
Deciding which new or replacement software is appropriate for our firms has never been easy, we have to take so many factors into account. Cost is always a critical consideration, but we also have to include compliance, effectiveness and response times. Not...
The SRA published a report in May evaluating their reforms to the Accountants’ report requirements. They found that in the period June to November 2017 they received 923 qualified reports, which is only a third of the number received in the same period...
Money Laundering is a massive global issue. Recent estimates are that over $1trillion of illicit funds are laundered annually, with £90bn of that in the UK. The problem is seemingly getting worse, and the professionals are coming under increased...
Law firms are commonly targeted by cybercriminals and cybercrime presents a perpetual daily risk for them. Robust controls help prevent cybercrime in the first place, but, in this edition of COFA Corner, we look at the actions a law firm and its COFA must...
Hello! I’m sure you will all be surprised to see another Chair’s Message from me, as I completed my two years as chair at the AGM at the end of November and handed over to my Vice Chair, Jacky Ellis. I am very sorry to tell you that Jacky...
Last year saw a fantastic response to our annual salary survey, carried out in association with Balance Recruitment. We would love to see even more data, particularly from members in Wales and Northern England. Make sure you take part and enter the prize...
The ILFM recognise that there has been an increase in Member queries with regards to the VAT treatment of statutory charges such as land charges and land registry fees etc as a result of the Brabners First Tier Tribunal decision. For clarity, there is no...
Readers will no doubt have read about the recent VAT case, Brabners v HMRC. Brabners is a north- west firm of lawyers, which was supported by the Law Society in an unsuccessful appeal against an HMRC VAT assessment. The case primarily rested on whether...
£39.00 £0.00 to ILFM Members This online course contains four hours of basic Excel training split across-22 modules. If you’re new to Excel or have limited knowledge of Excel, this course is for you. In this course you...
Following a recent Tribunal decision, the leading North-West law firm Brabners faces a £68,000 VAT bill for electronic local authority property searches it obtained by using a search agency, after the tribunal ruled that they should not have...
The ILFM needs you! The Institute is looking to appoint an examiner and tutor for its new associate-level tax course. Do you have what it takes? Would you like to take a key role in shaping the legal and finance professionals of the future? ...
With just ten weeks to go until the Annual ILFM conference, the team asked me what I’m most looking forward to. When I stopped to give this some thought, I realised there was quite a lot – it’s an exciting year for the ILFM...
For the second year running, you have voted Insight Legal as your winner! This is the nineth time that ILFM members have been surveyed to choose an award winner and we again asked the users of legal accounts software to vote for their legal accounts...
The SRA have today published their decisions following consultations on “Looking to the Future: Flexibility and Public Protection” and “Looking to the Future: Accounts Rules Review”. Following extensive consultation and...
Following the success of the Cymru branch, the ILFM would like to introduce a new branch for members in North Wales. Would you be interested in joining a branch in your area? We are looking for volunteers who can assist in getting this new branch...
It’s that time of year again, and the results are now in! The ILFM and specialist legal accountancy recruitment consultancy Balance Recruitment have teamed up to produce a 2017 Legal Accounts Salary Survey. A huge thank you to all of those who took...
From businessadvice.co.uk (Expert Advice for the engine room of the British economy) April 2017 will see wide-reaching changes in UK employment law Next month marks the busiest time of year, where major employment law changes will take...
During 2016 we saw the third phase of the SRA consultations to undertake a full review of the SRA Accounts Rules. This phase of the consultation put forward some significant changes to the SRA Accounts Rules and in particular a change in the definition of...
Welcome to the Institute’s 2017 guide to listed legal software suppliers Deciding on what new or replacement software is appropriate for our firms has never been easy: we have to take so many factors into account. Cost is always a critical...
Barry Hilton was one of the founders of the Institute and one of his passions was the education and advancement of legal accounting staff. Barry was responsible for writing many of the Institute’s original courses and seminars along with being a...
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our now award-winning 2016 Legal Accounts Salary Survey. For 2017 we’re kicking the process off slightly earlier than usual to allow more time and to help generate an ever greater volume of...
With less than six weeks to go until the Annual ILFM conference entitled ‘Brave New World’, the team asked me what I’m most looking forward to. When I stopped to give this some thought, I realised there was quite a lot – it’s an...
Automating international payments - the many advantages for law firms expanding globally Globalisation of the legal market is still growing, as law firms tap into the potential for expansion that cross-border markets offer. Firms venturing into...
The ILFM have once again teamed up with specialist legal business services recruitment consultancy Balance Recruitment to produce the 2016 Legal Accounts Salary Survey and we have had a whopping response with an increase in participation across the length...
Entrepreneurs’ Relief – a Budget 2016 U-turn? We have written previously for Legal Abacus on the various changes that have been made to the availability of Entrepreneurs’ Relief on the value of goodwill when incorporating...
Jason Mitchell looks at how the latest changes to the accountant’s reporting regime impact on the COFA role. On 30 October 2015 the SRA published the latest round of changes made to the accountant’s report regime (updated on 17 December...
The legal sector continues to be at the forefront of cyber-attacks from fraudsters attempting to access and extract both office and client money from a legal practice. Legal Abacus has recently focused on this issue from a variety of angles. Here Jason...
Dear Members, To complete our recent rebranding exercise we wanted to ask you about your ideas for an ILFM strapline. You will of heard many many straplines in everyday life... Just do it, Vorsprung durch technik, I'm lovin'...
Warning - Email Scam Alert. Please be vigilant. We have been told about a new email scam whereby you may receive an email telling you that you owe money to a (usually) British business, and that the sender of the email has been instructed to...
Nominations are still open for the The Access to Justice Foundation Award , organised in conjunction with the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards 2016 and are looking for your nominations of educational institutions or...
Our eagerly anticipated Legal Accounts Salary Survey is back for a fifth year and we need to ask for your assistance to help us compile the most comprehensive salary survey available for those working within the accounts departments...
Clio offers ILFM Members discounted rate via member benefits program. This partnership allows the Institute’s members to subscribe to Clio at a discounted rate. “We’re delighted to be offering Clio as a member benefit to...
On 19 January 2016, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published a new webpage for SRA-authorised firms involved in, or considering becoming involved in, the carrying on of consumer credit activities under Part 20 of the Financial Services and...
We live in a digital world where we are more connected than ever. Technology influences our daily lives, activities and decisions. In business it drives innovation, efficiency and collaboration. From customers to suppliers to employees to owners, technology...
Facebook recently announced that they are to start alerting users if their online accounts have been targeted by state sponsored hackers. Information is then provided on how the user can increase the security of their account. Facebooks...
On 1 January 2016 , the protection limit for deposits protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) was reduced from £85,000 to £75,000. This has implications for solicitors who hold client money. In conveyancing...
Criminals raid 50 firms in cyberattacks this year – SRA 15 October 2015 By John Hyde Up to 50 firms have fallen victim to cyberattacks since Christmas as criminals find ever-more sophisticated ways of targeting the legal...
Legal career 'hit by vishing scam' By Joe Lynam and Ben Carter BBC Radio 4's Money Box 2 October 2015 From the section Business Karen Mackie says she is devastated about what happened A solicitor has told the BBC that being tricked...
The best thing I learnt in Excel this year Often it is the simplest things in life that are most rewarding. Finding a new function in Excel that saves time doing a repetitive task is definitely something I count as rewarding, which is why I wanted to share...
15 July 2015 Changes to the format of accountants' reports for solicitors' practices - and the criteria for qualifying accounts and submitting them - should further improve their value and reduce the burden on firms, the Solicitors...
Learn Excel: How to protect your workbook ILFM Members can get a huge discount off Filtered.com Excel training (£45 Inc VAT instead of £75) Click here to find out more . If you wish to learn...
TO OUR MEMBERS SRA consultation – have your say! The SRA wants your views on its proposals last month to regulate consumer credit activities carried on by SRA-authorised individuals and firms under Part 20 of the Financial Services and Markets...
Save the Date! Our Conference at The Law Society, London will take place on Friday 13th November 2015. You can start to join the conversation and see the latest updates on Social Media using hashtag #ilfmconf15 OPPORTUNITY.. If you are interested...
ILFM Salary Survey in association with Recruitment. Chance of winning an iPad Mini Our annual Legal Accounts Salary Survey is back for a fourth year and we would like to ask for your involvement to help us compile the most comprehensive salary survey...
There was welcome news for the Government from Kent Business [arrow] at McBrides Chartered Accountants Budget briefing with 93% of delegates in attendance confident about the prospects for the economy in the South East. However, despite taking a penny off a...
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has delayed the introduction of the second phase of its reforms of the rules on submitting accountants’ reports from next month to November this year. Read full story here ....
Legal regulators are working on ways to stop solicitors from handling client money, it has been revealed. But the Law Society has urged caution, stressing that the number of problems is low and that the current system protects consumers. ...
COFA – A Practical View (Half Day Course) Workshop by Richard Hill, Practice Director at StepienLake and Chairman of the ILFM 14th April 2015 1.30 to 4.30pm – London Link to book: ...
The ILFM offers a clearly defined professional career path for those wishing to gain qualifications in legal finance and practice management. At the ILFM we recognise that some members may wish to continue their education by gaining further...
The Institute of Legal Finance and Management’s response to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s consultation on reporting accountant requirements Proportionate regulation: reporting accountant requirements Do...
