The ILCA’s Vice-Chairperson, Mrs. Sarah J Charlton FILCA, one of the driving forces in creating this document, said “this unique, concise version will benefit us all in the legal profession; not only the cashiers, accountants and solicitors, but it will also provide a working document for HM Revenue and Customs inspectors”.

This Guide is fundamental to all practices who deal with Legal Aid work.  It not only offers guidance, but also gives simple step by step instructions in accounting for the correct VAT, whilst adhering to the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998. 

As we all know, VAT is often a challenging aspect of running a business and any advice which relates to a specific area of practice is welcomed by the profession.  Sarah also advised that, “Whilst it reflects the position as at 1st April 2008, it should not be read in isolation of the VAT Notice 700”.

The ILCA were pleased to have been able to collaborate with the other two principal organisations to provide its members with one workable document which combines both the SAR aspect and the correct treatment of VAT.

The guide is available at:
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/productsandservices/practicenotes/vatonlegalaid.page

Editors Notes
The Institute of Legal Cashiers & Administrators is a not-for-profit organisation, and qualifies its members by moderated examination.  It was formed in 1978 by a group of Cashiers committed to bringing the role of legal cashier up to the same professional standards as their accountant counterparts in industry and commerce.  Today there are some 3,000 members many of whom have been formally trained by the ILCA to Diploma, Associate, or Fellowship level. 
The Institute encourages the development of its members' competence through educational courses, training seminars, publications, exhibitions, advisory service and other membership facilities, as well as close liaisons with other sections of the legal community.  Two examples of this liaison are (1) regional training courses are run in conjunction with local law societies, attracting expert speakers on subjects of interest to the legal profession (2) ILEX refers their members to the Institute with regard to training in respect of accountancy matters.    The late ILCA President Barry Hilton was a significant contributor to "The Legal Accounts Manual", and he advised on the Law Society's "Complying with the Solicitors Accounts Rules: a Practical Guide".
For further details either visit the web site www.ilca.org.uk or contact the executive secretary, Margaret MacDonald at the ILCA, Marlowe House, 109 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7ET  tel: 020 8302 2867 e-mail: exec.sec@ilca.org.uk