Law Firm Practice Manager

Established over 50 years ago in Southport on the Gold Coast, ABKJ Lawyers has built a strong reputation in the community as being a reliable and experienced local law firm that is able to provide a broad range of legal services across southeast Queensland.  We have the knowledge and expertise that comes with more than 50 years of practice. We are proud of our long and stable history and grateful for our steady base of long-standing clients and employees.

We are currently seeking an experienced Practice Manager to join our small but busy law firm.

THE POSITION

The position is for a permanent full-time legal Practice Manager reporting to the firm's Partners and working closely with the Assistant Practice Manager.

Remuneration for this position will be commensurate with your previous experience and how closely you align to the selection criteria. We anticipate remuneration to be in the range of $100,000 to $125,000 plus superannuation.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive salary

• A stable working environment
• True appreciation of work-life balance

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

Our ideal candidate will be a dynamic team player with a strong work ethic who thrives under pressure and competing deadlines. You will also meet the following selection criteria:

Essential Criteria

We would expect you to have:

Extensive experience in managing law firms

• A detailed understanding of Queensland trust accounting regulations and financial management practices
• A genuine interest in client care
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• A professional manner with highly developed time management, interpersonal and organisational skills
• Demonstrated ability to handle competing deadlines, strategising workflows and priorities to accommodate multiple demands
• Human resource management skills and experience
• A commitment to being part of a small team

Desirable Criteria

We would hope you have:

· Experience with our practice management system, Dye & Durham's Affinity

· Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office

· Proficiency with social media platforms and information technology generally

Position Description & Duties

Reporting to the Partners of the Firm, the duties and responsibilities of the Practice Manager will include (but are not limited to):

Financial management

· Maintenance and recording of transactions in the trust account including daily receipting of trust deposits

· Undertaking daily bank reconciliations and end of month reporting

· Processing of all cheques and receipts

· Management of accounts payable and receivable

· Preparation of annual budget and financial statements

· Preparation and lodgement of payroll, superannuation, BAS, IAS, PAYG

· Maintenance of systems of accounting for all monies earned by the practice and expended by the practice, and allocations to Partners as appropriate

· Preparation of meaningful and timely financial reports as required by the Partners

· Preparation of statutory reports and accounts

Human Resource management

· Overseeing all HR functions including preparation of job descriptions, attending interviews, conducting reference checks, preparing employment agreements, onboarding and offboarding of staff, preparing new staff induction material and maintaining all employee records particularly as they apply to the Legal Services Award

· Development and review of systems for staff performance and training

· Development and maintenance of policies and procedures including WHS

· Maintain knowledge of and comply with any relevant industrial awards

Operations management

· Attending weekly management meeting with the Partners

· Preparation of budgets and annual plans to meet the objectives of the Partners and the practice with appropriate and relevant reporting as required

· Development and maintenance of systems to manage and measure:

o   Staff performance

o   Fee recovery and debt management

o   Purchase and use of consumables

· Develop strategies for change and growth

· Plan and manage internal and external marketing and business development events including management of social media

· Liaise with external managed IT services provider and website hosting provider

· Advise on purchase and replacement of equipment including development and maintenance of equipment registers and applicable depreciation schedules

· Schedule routine and non-routine maintenance of equipment

· Advise on and arrange appropriate insurances including professional indemnity insurance, business insurance, cyber insurance

· Maintain knowledge of all the firm's suppliers, creditors and contractual obligations

· Maintain knowledge of and comply with relevant government legislation and regulations including new Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing guidelines as they apply to law firms