The updated Solicitors Accounts Rules come into force along with the updated Solicitors Handbook on 25th November 2019.
The New Solicitors Accounts Rules can be found here.
There are also a number of guidance notes which can be found as follows:
Do I need to operate a client account?
Third Party Managed Accounts (TPMA’s)
Joint accounts & record keeping
Helping you keep accurate client accounting records
Planning for and completing an accountants report
Accountants report and the exemption to obtain one
Outlined in this Legal Cashier Blog Post are the main changes to the rules. We will recap some of these changes below.
Practical changes to the rules
Client account transfers against disbursements
Under the new rules, 2.1 (d) outlines that client money is defined as for “fees and any unpaid disbursements if held or received prior to delivery of a bill for the same”.
This is interpreted that transfers should no longer be made from client account, directly against disbursements on the office account. A disbursement-only bill should be raised and funds transferred from client account against that bill.
Funds on account of costs and disbursements may be held in office account
Rule 2.2 defines that where the “only client money you hold or receive” is for fees and disbursements and 2.2(b) “you do not for any other reason maintain a client account” that “you are not required to hold this money in a client account if you have informed your client in advance of where and how the money will be held”.
Essentially this means that firms that only hold client money on account of fees may no longer need to operate a client account and may hold this money in office account. However this does conflict with rule 4.1 which states that “you keep client money separate from money belonging to the authorised body”.
Third party managed accounts
The new rules, 11.1, outline that Third Party Managed Accounts may be used, rather than using a traditional client account if the use of the account does not result in “you holding the client’s money” and you inform the client of the arrangement.
The term “office money” is removed
The new rules only refer to “client money” and the protection of client money. This means that a number of rules relating to the office account have been removed or amended.
Under the new rules the concept of unpaid or incurred disbursements has been removed, meaning disbursements are only to be considered as disbursements when paid.
Timescales
Previous rules had strict timescales for undertaking tasks such as:
- Payment of unpaid, billed disbursements by the second working day of receipt (or transfer to client account)
- Transfer of earmarked costs from client account within 14 days
- Residual balances should be communicated to clients every 12 months
These timescales have been removed in the new rules and replaced by “promptly”.
Suspense accounts & “fixed fee payment” accounts
Rule 8.1 of the new rules identify that ledgers should be identified by “the client’s name and an appropriate description of the matter to which they relate”.
Under the ethics guidance, “helping you keep accurate client accounting records”, the guidance outlines that “ledger accounts should include the name of the client or other person or trust for whom the money is held and containing a description of the matter or transaction”.
This is further evidenced under ethics guidance “planning for and completing an accountants report” which lists reasons for qualifying an Accountants Report may include “ledgers failing to include reference to a client”. Further the reason “improper use of suspense accounts” may lead to qualifying a report.
Accountant’s reports
There are a number of changes relating to Accountant’s reports. A report is not required per 12.2 if:
- All money held is from the LAA
- In the accounting period the statement balance does not exceed (1) an average of £10,000 (2) a maximum of £250,000
Continued focuses of the rules
Providing banking facilities
Rule 3.3 reaffirms that all receipts, payments and transfers should be “in respect of the delivery by you of regulated services”.
There have been a number of recent SDT cases involving using the client account as a banking facility and the rules still focus on not providing banking facilities to clients.
Residual balances
Rule 2.5 ensures “client money is returned promptly to the client or the third party for whom the money is held, as soon as there is no longer any proper reason to hold those funds”.
This is viewed as a high risk area that the SRA will continue to monitor. The new rules advise that money is returned “promptly” and firms will need to define their view of promptly and document their process for dealing with residual balances.
Bank reconciliations
Rule 8.3 maintains that at least every five weeks a bank reconciliation must be undertaken which is signed by the COFA.
What you need to do (now)
Define promptly
Firms need to look at current timescales for undertaking processes and deciding if:
(a) to continue using them or
(b) depart from them. If departing from them, firms will need to justify why. These include:
- Banking of client monies
- Payment of unpaid disbursements
- Transfers from client–office account
- Dealing with residual client account balances
Ensure policies and procedures are documented
Each firm will need to detail its policies and procedures. An accounts manual is required if not already in place.
Due to the removal of prescribed rules, the appointed reporting Accountant will need a specified set of policies and procedures to assess the Accountant’s report against.
This includes defining timescales for “promptly” as above.
The guidance notes detailed in “helping you keep accurate client accounting records” require:
- “Controls are in place for identifying client money, including cash, when received by the firm; you should have a clear system or process in place to achieve this”
- “You should have clear procedures for ensuring that all withdrawals from client account are properly authorised”
- “Persons nominated to authorise payments. That person should ensure that there is evidence which supports the reason for each payment”
- “Procedures for ensuring that sufficient money is held for a particular client before any withdrawals are made for that client”
- “Systems for the transfer of costs from a client to a business account”
- “Systems which help to control and record accurately any transfers between different clients of the firm”
- “Checks and controls to make sure client files are closed promptly and the prompt payment back to clients of any residual balances”
- “Systems which make sure clients… are kept regularly informed when funds are retained for a specified reason.. at the end of a matter or the substantial conclusion of a matter”
- “Most firms will be operating computerised client accounts. If you do, you will want to make sure that you have clear policies, systems and procedures which set out access controls and visibility”
Consider the use of the client account
Do you hold client money other than on account of fees and disbursements? Do you need a client account and accountants report?
What you need to do after 25th Nov 19
Bank reconciliations
Ensure that you review and sign the bank reconciliations every 5 weeks.
Ensure that you understand the bank reconciliations and that any unreconciled items are queried and uncashed cheques are reviewed and cancelled.
Residual balances
Review aged client account balances on a regular basis with fee earners and ensure that attempts are made to return residual client account balances.
COFA Review
Review bank reconciliations including unreconciled or uncleared items and challenge them monthly.
Review debit client account balances and office credit balances.
Undertake a review of compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules, policies and procedures per the items listed in Planning for and completing an accountants report
Help available
Ascentant Accountants are able to provide consultancy and assistance prior to and after implementation of the rules. This includes:
- Reviewing current policies, procedures and accounts manuals
- Production of policies, procedures and account manuals
- COFA assistance, training and checklists
- Month end checklists
For details on consultancy services and pricing, please contact our Legal Cashiers.
