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The ILCA was founded as the Institute of Legal Cashiers in 1978 by a small group of cashiers working in solicitors' practices who believed there was a need to establish and maintain standards for legal bookkeeping - hence the motto: "Diligentia, Vigilantia" - "diligence and vigilance".
LATEST ISSUE
January - February 2010
The ILCA has a wide range of training options for those wanting to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in law office management and accountancy practice.
View a Policy Statement which was issued by the Executive Council of the Institute of Legal Cashiers and Administrators on 22 March 2004 RE; 'The role of the Money Laundering Report Officer.'
Book the ILCA Diploma and Associate courses Online Now! To register complete the applicaton form click on sumit then print the form off and send to the ILCA with your cheque.
Tuition for the ILCA's Diploma and Associate examinations is available through correspondence courses. Members are allocated a tutor - contacted by post or telephone - who guides them through a series of exercises, including offering advice and marking their course work papers.
The Diploma and Associate correspondence courses have been approved by The Law Society for 16 hours accreditation under the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme for each separate course.
The ILCA's correspondence course and examination system has recently been updated. During the revision and updating period, The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) decided to cease their legal accounts training and examinations and approached the ILCA regarding taking this role over from them. Lengthy negotiations followed and we are pleased to confirm that, based on the ILCA's new education syllabus (now operational), ILEX acknowledges that the ILCA will be the provider for their ceased courses. The cost of the Diploma Course is £275 Associate (per topic) £295.
Book the ILCA Diploma and Associate courses Online Now!
View the Correspondance Course Syllabuses
If you do not have Acrobat Reader, please click on the button below to download it:
Leading to sit-in examinations
DiplomaAssociate - AccountingAssociate - Financial ManagementAssociate - Legal Practice & Procedure
As the ILCA’s correspondence courses and examination system has been in place a number of years it was agreed by the ILCA’s Executive Council that the whole education structure be studied and updated. Therefore, the ILCA’s Training and Education Group together with representatives from the legal profession began the task of updating the present system. During this period The Institute of Legal Executives decided to cease their legal accounts training and examinations and approached the ILCA regarding taking this role over from them. Lengthy negotiations followed and we are pleased to confirm that, based on the ILCA’s new education syllabus, ILEX acknowledges that the ILCA will be the provider for their ceased courses. The cost of the Diploma Course is: £275 for the Associate Course (per topic) is: £295.
DIPLOMAThis provides ILCA members with a formal qualification to enable them to undertake their duties as a Legal Cashier. There are no formal entry requirements except that candidates are current ILCA members. Candidates who pass the Diploma examination will receive a Certificate but cannot use the designatory letters ILCA (Dip) until they have completed 2 years experience in the accounts department of a solicitor’s practice or such similar employment as the Executive Council, at its sole discretion, may deem appropriate. A correspondence course is available for the Diploma examination.
ASSOCIATESHIPCandidates wishing to undertake the Associateship must have obtained the ILCA’s Diploma qualification prior to enrolling on this course. They will then sit three subjects: Accounting, Financial Management and Legal Practice and Procedures. Candidates passing all 3 examinations will receive an Associate Certificate but cannot use the designatory letters AILCA until they have completed 6 years experience in the accounts department of a solicitor’s practice or such similar employment as the Executive Council, at its sole discretion, may deem appropriate. Correspondence courses are available for all Associate examinations.
FELLOWSHIPThe Fellowship is carried out by thesis from the candidate own home (there is no sitting in examination) and a time limit of six months is imposed. Candidates are required to write between 15,000 and 20,000 words on a topic either provided by the ILCA or by submitting their own which will be verified by the Training and Education Committee. On passing this examination a Certificate is awarded and members may use the designatory letters FILCA.
EXAMINATIONSILCA Examinations are held twice a year, in April/May and November. At present examination centres are London and Manchester. The cost is £55 per examination paper.
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Tutors : Alison Gorringe / Stanley Bernard / Sue Preece / Kate Walsh
Book online now
Objective: To provide a sound comprehensive and practical knowledge of the maintenance of a solicitors internal financial records, to meet compliance requirements.
Candidates have a maximum of 2 years from enrolment onto this course to complete and register for the next available examination sitting.
Contents of the course:
Tutorial 1 Purpose and Aims of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules
Tutorial 2 Protection of Client money. Cash book – Ledger – Journal
Tutorial 3 Firms’ own money – Office account – Private Ledger - Nominal Ledger Trial balance
Tutorial 4 VAT
Tutorial 5 Client Cash identification etc.
Tutorial 6 Client Cash withheld from Client Account
Tutorial 7 Accounting Records - for Client Accounts etc.,
Tutorial 8 Disbursements
Tutorial 9 Withdrawal from Client Account – Financial/Completion Statements/ Estate Cash Accounts
Tutorial 10 Bank Reconciliation’s – Client Control
Tutorial 11 Controlled Trusts & Probate
Tutorial 12 Central Register
Tutorial 13 Interest Rules
Tutorial 14 Wages – P.A.Y.E etc.
Tutorial 15 Solicitors’ Accounts Rules not already covered
Appendix 1 = KPMG Case
Appendix 2 = ILCA - VAT/LSC Guide
Appendix 3 = ILCA - Billing Guide
Appendix 4 = NI - Tax Tables
Appendix 5 = Hips
Tutor: Linda Lambert
The aim of the correspondence course is to meet the training needs of those dealing with the preparation and / or use of the annual partnership or limited company accounts in the legal and other professions. It is not intended that this course cover company accounts in more than general principles.
Candidates have a maximum of 2 years from enrolment on this course to complete and register for the next available examination sitting.
1. From Ledger Accounts to Trial Balance
2. The preparation of the Profit and Loss Account and the Balance Sheet
3. Accounting Adjustments
4. Partnership Accounts
5. Partnership Accounts – Alterations arising on changes of Partners
6. The Framework of Accounting
7. Limited Companies – An outline of company accounts for smaller companies
Tutor: Andrew Otterburn B.A. A.C.A.
Objective: To assist the production of financial information which helps in the management and development of the practice and covers issues such as:Management Accounts, Budgets and Cash Flow.
Contents of the Course:
1. Financial Management – what are we aiming for?
2. Annual Accounts
3. Budgets
4. Management accounts (1)
5. Cash Flow
6. Using benchmarks to assess performance against other firms
7. Management Accounts (2)
8. Working Capital
9. Management Accounts (2)
10. Fee earner reports
Tutor: Sarah J Charlton BSc(Hons), FILCA
Objective: To provide students with knowledge in both basic legal principles and requirements/obligations which practices and solicitors must abide by in order to remain in practice. This course is designed to assist cashiers in progressing from their current roles to alternative roles now available within the legal profession. If you are to progress into management within the legal profession a basic awareness of the profession is required.
Chapter 1 Getting to know the Solicitors’ Profession, keeping the client’s matters confidential, acting in the client’s best interests, and delivering a proper standard of work for the client.
Chapter 2 Management of a legal practice, the requirements under Rule 5 of the Code of Conduct
Chapter 3 Obtaining instructions, things a solicitor must bear in mind when taking on a new client, making sure that the solicitor maintains his independence and acts in the best interest of each client as required by the core duties in rule 1.
Chapter 4 Conflict of interests
Chapter 5 Confidentiality, keeping information about clients private within the firm of solicitors.
Chapter 6 Rule 2 Client Relations, what a solicitor is required to tell his client about the relationship between solicitor and client, about the fees and expenses which will be payable for the work which the solicitor does for the client and about complaints handling.
Chapter 7 Undertakings, what an undertaking is, who can give undertakings and the implications to the practice.
Chapter 8 Charging the client, contentious work and non- contentious work, the different payment methods, legal aid, conditional fees, contingency fees
Chapter 9 Relationship with clients and duties to others, professional obligation to the client, Courts, other solicitors etc.
Chapter 10 Complaints about the solicitors and discipline.
Chapter 11 Money Laundering
Chapter 12 Introduction to Property Covering some basic terms and introduction to conveyancing.
Chapter 13 The conveyancing process Covering both freehold and leasehold.
Chapter 14 Civil Procedures (The Woolf Reforms) The procedures needed in order to make a civil claim.
Chapter 15 Civil Procedures (The Court Process) Considers resolutions and the Court process itself.
Chapter 16 Civil Proceedings Money Judgements and alternatives to court proceedings.
Exam application form
To register complete the application form, click on submit then print the form off and send it to the ILCA with your cheque.
Exam date: Monday 19th April 2010 (£55)
Note: Applications for the exam must be received at the ILCA office by: Friday 19th March 2010 (applications received after this date will not be accepted)
London: Birkbeck College.
Manchester: Mechanics Centre.
Local: Candidates must arrange local venues themselves and attach full details including name of college, address telephone number and contact name, bookings will not be accepted without this
Revision Course Dates: (£75 per course)
Diploma Manchester: Cancelled
Diploma London: 10th April 2010 Strand Palace Hotel, London
Associate
Accounts Birmingham: 27th March 2010 Venue to be confirmed
Financial Management London: Cancelled
Legal Practice & Procedure London: 27th March 2010 Strand Palace Hotel, London
For Revision Course application forms please contact the ILCA office on 020 8302 2867 or email info@ilca.org.uk.
Unlike many organisations, admission to the higher grades of membership is by ILCA Qualification only. To this end, the ILCA has its own structured examination scheme. Because of the varied ages and backgrounds of those joining the ILCA, there are no formal requirements for embarking on the following examination route:
The Diploma - This is a 3-hour examination and is intended to test the immediate working knowledge of the office environment.
The Associate, (Three Mandatory Parts) For Diploma Members only - This is designed to test career students on a deeper understanding of the many legal and accounting topics they will meet in working life.
The Fellowship, (By Thesis) - This is the ILCA's highest qualification and allows Associates to follow a specialised course of study on a subject approved by the ILCA's Training and Education Committee.
Examinations are held twice a year - in April and November - and the venues are usually London and Manchester. As this may not be convenient for everyone, it should be noted that it is also possible to arrange to sit the examination at a local college/school - contact the ILCA office for further details. To ensure standards are always the highest, the ILCA Examination Board includes an external examiner from the College of Law. The cost is £55 per examination paper. You can enrol on an exam online or contact the office direct.
For members wanting to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in law office management and accountancy practice, the ILCA also runs a series of one and two day workshops.
As well as general aspects of a legal cashiers' work, there are workshops on more specialist subjects, including: Solicitors' Account Rules (SARs); VAT for Solicitors; Credit Management for Legal Accounting; PAYE - An intro for Legal Personnel; PAYE - The Areas that frighten you; Step One - Elementary Legal Accounting; Step Two - Intermediate Legal Accounting; Step Three - Introduction to Management Accounting; Excel Spreadsheets - Beginners & Customised.
Most ILCA courses carry 6 CPD hours per day or 3 CPD hours for half day.
VAT For Legal Accounting
The topics covered include:
The Solicitors’ Account Rules –1998
These are one-day Workshops designed to provide practical advice for legal
accounting personnel.
· Client Money – Client Account
· Controlled Trusts
· Central Register
· Client Reconciliation
· Interest Rules
During the day
Delegates will participate in workshop sessions assisting them to implement the Rules
correctly. Delegates will each receive a copy of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules Manual.
STEP ONE - Elementary Legal Accounting 2009’
This is a two-day Workshop designed to provide practical advice and guidance for all those
responsible for maintaining and managing the accounts of a solicitors’ practice.
· VAT – An introduction to the ‘basics’ including definitions, types of supply,
· tax points, the required information for a tax invoice, methods of accounting for VAT,
· the VAT Return, the Optional Flat Rate Scheme and Disbursements.
· Double Entry Bookkeeping – Solicitors’ Accounts to Trial Balance
· Billing – An overview of the content required to comply with the VAT regulations,
· the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules and the Solicitors’ Act 1974.
· Bank Reconciliation – A step-by-step guide to carrying out a bank reconciliation
· that complies with the requirements of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules.
STEP TWO – Intermediate Legal Accounting 2009
Following on from ‘STEP ONE' Elementary Legal Accounting’, this is a two-day Workshop
designed to provide practical advice and guidance for all those responsible for maintaining
and managing the accounts of a solicitors’ practice.
Topics covered include:
· The Solicitors’ Accounts Rules – Review of SAR’s
· VAT – An introduction to some of the trickier aspects of
· VAT including Disbursements, Bad Debt Relief, Partial Exemption Regulations,
· correcting past errors, place of supply, payment of costs by a third party,
· Fixed Costs and Legal Aid.
· Double Entry Bookkeeping – Solicitors’ Accounts from Trial Balance to Final Accounts.
· Management Information – A discussion session on why solicitors need financial management information, what information they need and the role of the accounts department in its production.
Practice Management Masterclass
This course aims to show you how to make your practice more profitable:
increasing fees, efficient use of capital, proven methods to reduce bad debtors, how motivation and good management can also provide a sought after working environment for everyone, better client service and increased profits.
» Budgets & Leverage » Motivation, Leadership & Management
» Setting Hourly Rates, Pricing & Charging » Cash Flow & Investments
» Handling Debtors » The Firm's Culture & Client Care
Legal Aid - Beginners Accounting
A One Day Workshop Presented by the ILCA
This course aims to provide a beginners guide to the accounting procedures relating to Public Funded work to include:
An overview of the different types of public funding, how the Solicitors Accounts Rules deal with LSC payments, the accounting entries needed for Tailored Fixed Fees, Standard Monthly Payments, forthcoming changes and much more. Suitable for complete novices as well as those wishing to refresh and update their knowledge during a period of significant Legal Aid Reform.
Topics Covered:
Credit Management
Covering all aspects of the revenue cycle within a solicitors' practice with the aim of maximising cash and so profit.
Course Title
Ref:
Course Fee
Date
Location/Venue
The Solicitors'
SAR
Members £180
19th January 2010
London FULL
Accounts Rules -
Non-Members
16th February 2010
Bristol
1998
£275
16th March 2010
Brighton
20th April 2010
York
VAT for Legal
VAT
18th January 2010
Accounting
15th February 2010
15th March 2010
19th April 2010
Step One -
S1
Members £340
Elementary Legal
£495
Step Two -
S2
Intermediate
London
Legal Accounting
Practice
PM
Management
10th May 2010
Birmingham
Masterclass
7th June 2010
Credit
RM
** NEW **
Legal Aid
LA
Beginners
Book Seminar To Register complete the applicaton form click on submit then print the application form off and send to the ILCA with your cheque.
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