Ami Gaiger, Financial Controller
As our next participant in our "Empowering Excellence" series we spoke to Ami Gaiger, Financial Controller at Gammon Piercy & Gaiger LLP. Ami has enjoyed lots of the benefits membership of the ILFM has to offer including attending a range of training and events as well as our magazine, Legal Abacus.
1. Can you tell us a little about your role and what it involves? I am currently the Financial Controller for a criminal defence law firm. My role is very varied and covers everything accounts related from paying suppliers and bank reconciliations, to management information, statutory accounts and compliance with the SRA accounts rules.
2. What motivated you to join the ILFM and how has it helped you so far? I joined the ILFM many years ago (when it was the ILCA!), when I was an office junior in my first legal accounts job. My main reason for joining was to study for the professional qualifications however, I got sidetracked into studying for my chartered accountancy qualification, CIMA, which was promptly followed by getting married and starting a family. There have been many other benefits to joining though – training courses, conferences, and Legal Abacus magazine to name a few – and I have promised myself that when the kids have finished school, I will go back to studying for the ILFM exams!
3. What benefits do you think membership of the ILFM provides? The articles in Legal Abacus, and access to experts when you have a query, are really helpful. The training courses are great for learning something new, building on existing knowledge, and for keeping up to date with CPD. There are also many member rewards – I’m currently looking into joining the Healthcare Cash Plan Scheme. Its also just nice to know that you are part of a community where everyone faces the same issues and challenges.
4. Do you use any of the resources that the ILFM offers in your day-to-day work? Yes, I’ve used the ILFM Answers section on the member website on occasion and I always have my copy of VAT for Legal Professionals on my desk.
5. Can you give me any examples of how the membership has made an impact on your business? Having a thorough knowledge of, and keeping up to date with changes to, the SRA accounts rules – which I do mostly through ILFM training courses and articles - has meant that our client money audits have been kept to a minimum timescale. It has also limited the need for partner or senior management involvement. This was particularly important when I worked for larger firms, dealing with huge client balances, and I was a more junior member of the team yet still able to manage an audit by myself.
6. What opportunities for professional development do you think the ILFM offers and why are they helpful? The training courses that carry CPD hours are helpful for obvious reasons but even the Lunch & Learn webinars and annual conferences can provide useful insights into current issues and help you keep up to date with what’s happening in the industry.
7. Have you attended any training or networking run by the ILFM and did you find it useful? Yes, lots! Over the years I’ve attended VAT courses, accounts rules courses, legal aid courses and COFA courses both virtually and in person. Thay are always run by people that are not only experts in their subject, but have also worked in the roles, so they know all about the practicalities and challenges of applying the rules and policies they are teaching.
8. Have you attended the ILFM annual conferences and if so what value did they add to your role? I have attended several ILFM conferences which, aside from being a fun and entertaining day out, are full of really engaging speakers and I never fail to learn something new or be inspired by someone.
9. Would you recommend membership to your contacts? Absolutely, yes.
10. Can you sum up what you gain from the ILFM in three words? Knowledge, support and community.
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