A law firm based in Kloof (KZN) is seeking a 1/2 Day/Part-Time Legal Bookkeeper to join their team. Role Overview: The role is responsible for the accurate, compliant, and timely management of the firm's full financial function, with particular emphasis on the trust account regime governing South African legal practices under the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 and the LPC Accounting Rules. The position carries significant compliance responsibility: errors in trust accounting can result in LPC disciplinary action, personal liability for the Principal Attorney, and reputational harm to the practice. Candidates without prior legal practice bookkeeping experience will not be considered. The trust account environment of an attorney's firm is materially different from general business accounting and requires demonstrated, hands-on familiarity. Minimum Requirements: Matric / NSC with Accounting. Bookkeeping or accounting diploma/certificate at NQF Level 4+ (e.g. ICB Certificate in Bookkeeping, SAIPA Technician Certificate, or equivalent). BCom Accounting is advantageous but not required. ICB Legal Bookkeeping Certificate or equivalent specialist legal bookkeeping qualification. SAIPA or CIMA student or affiliate membership (Advantageous). Minimum 3 years’ bookkeeping experience, of which at least 2 years must have been in a South African legal practice (attorney’s firm) with direct responsibility for the trust account and LPC Accounting Rules compliance. Candidates without legal practice experience will not be considered. Practice Management: Proficiency in LegalSuite (very advantageous), with demonstrable experience processing trust receipts, trust payments, and monthly trust reconciliations. Payroll System: Proven experience processing payroll using the designated payroll system, including EMP201 submissions via SARS eFiling. SARS eFiling: Active and demonstrated experience submitting VAT201 and EMP201 returns via SARS eFiling. Technology: Moderate to advanced MS Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, reconciliation models), MS Word, and MS Outlook. Cloud-based accounting or document management experience is advantageous. Language: Excellent written and spoken English, particularly for written communications with the auditor, SARS, and the LPC. Technical Skills Required: Trust Account & LPC Compliance. Thorough, working knowledge of the LPC Accounting Rules, including trust account reconciliation requirements, s78(1) pooled trust account, s78(2)(a) separate investment accounts, and annual audit obligations. Ability to reconcile the trust bank account to the trust creditors’ list and trust control account on a monthly basis. Understanding of unclaimed trust fund reporting obligations to the Legal Practitioners’ Fidelity Fund. Competence in processing trust receipts and trust payments (on signed instruction) in LegalSuite, including same-day allocation to client matter ledgers. Ability to compile a complete trust audit file (trust bank reconciliations, trust receipts journal, trust payments journal, matter ledger printouts, year-end trust creditors’ list) for the annual external audit. General Bookkeeping & Financial Reporting: Proficiency in double-entry bookkeeping to trial balance; ability to prepare and interpret monthly management accounts (income statement and balance sheet). Business account reconciliation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and aged debtors reporting. Fixed asset register maintenance including acquisitions, disposals, and depreciation. Monthly work-in-progress (WIP) reporting identifying unbilled disbursements and time costs. Annual budget preparation and month-on-month variance tracking. Billing & Fee Note Administration: Preparation of draft fee notes in LegalSuite from fee-earner time-and-disbursement narratives, for attorney sign-off before issue. Correct VAT application to taxable legal fees and correct classification of exempt/zero-rated disbursements. Processing of credit notes and write-offs on written Principal instruction with documented reasons. Payroll & SARS Compliance (Done through a payroll company, but needs to be checked). Monthly payroll processing including PAYE, UIF (employee and employer), and SDL calculations Timely EMP201 submission and payment to SARS by the 7th of the following month. Bi-annual EMP501 reconciliation and IRP5/IT3(a) certificate submission within prescribed deadlines. Bi-monthly VAT201 return preparation and submission via SARS eFiling, with full reconciliation file. Assistance with provisional tax returns (IRP6) and liaison with external accountant for annual income tax submissions. Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of: LPA 28 of 2014 (Part 6), LPC Accounting Rules, POPIA Act 4 of 2013, Income Tax Act, VAT Act 89 of 1991, UIF Act, SDL Act, and BCEA payroll provisions. Ability to identify issues requiring escalation to the Principal or external accountant; not expected to provide legal or tax advice. POPIA-compliant handling of all client financial data, payroll records, and firm financial information. Behavioural Competencies: Integrity & Ethics: Understands that the trust account holds client funds; escalates any irregularity immediately and without hesitation. Attention to Detail: Produces reconciliations and financial records accurate to the cent; applies a zero-tolerance approach to unexplained differences. Discretion & Confidentiality: Treats all client financial information, the firm’s financial position, and payroll data as strictly confidential. Deadline Orientation: Manages SARS, LPC, and payroll deadlines proactively; never misses a statutory submission date. Communication: Communicates financial information clearly to the Principal and auditor; escalates concerns in writing. Independence & Accountability: Owns the bookkeeping function; takes responsibility for accuracy and completeness without waiting to be prompted. Adaptability: Remains effective as LPC Rules, SARS requirements, and practice management systems evolve. Organisational Skills: Maintains an audit-ready financial filing system at all times, not only in the weeks before the annual audit. Key Performance Indicators: Trust account reconciliation: Completed and signed by the Principal by the 10th of the following month, every month, without exception. Trust account debit balances: Zero debit balances on any client matter ledger at any time. SARS statutory submissions: 100% on-time submission of VAT201 (bi-monthly), EMP201 (monthly), and EMP501 (bi-annual), with zero penalties incurred. Payroll accuracy: Zero payroll errors requiring correction after payslips are issued in any payroll cycle. Annual trust audit: Unqualified audit report submitted to LPC within the prescribed period; zero repeat findings from prior year. Fee note turnaround: Fee notes prepared and issued to clients within 3 business days of receiving signed attorney instruction. Aged debtors reporting: Aged debtors report produced and presented to the Principal by the 5th of each month. Management accounts: Monthly income statement and balance sheet presented to the Principal within 10 business days of month-end. Financial record readiness: All financial records available and retrievable within 24 hours of an LPC or SARS request at any point in the year. NB: Although a salary band is provided for this position, the salary offered will depend on the knowledge and skill set of the candidate.

If you know your way around legal trust accounts, this could be a solid part-time gig worth considering.