In this week’s blog we talk to a member of our accounts team, Andrew Campbell. Andrew is responsible for many things in his role including all completion monies get to the right place as quickly as possible. Here he talks about his role as a legal cashier.
How long have you worked for Jacksons?
I have worked for Jacksons as a permanent member of staff for over eight years.
What is your role?
My role at Jacksons is a Legal Cashier, dealing with all financial aspects of the business.
What aspects of your job do you like best?
I do a lot of in house training with members of staff, from new starters to established members, in many different areas including raising invoices, file opening processes and conveyancing completions.
An important part of my role is handling completions. These can be a juggling act on a Friday when clients are waiting with removal vans to get keys to their new home. We strive to avoid any delay in this process and it is very satisfying once it’s completed.
What aspects of your job do you find the most challenging?
When completions are delayed for any reason it is quite stressful. This can happen when there is a large chain of purchases & sales or mortgages are delayed. We know we have to send funds to get our client moved but are waiting until funds are available to do so. This can happen on a number of completions you have for that day, usually a Friday, so checking our bank statement regularly is imperative.
What difference do you think all the technology we have now has made to your working day?
The technology available to us today has reduced a lot of wasted time. Now you can get information instantly from suppliers by email or logging onto your account online. Invoices to clients can be drafted, amended, and processed in a matter of minutes rather than hours as it sometimes was.
Online banking is the biggest difference in my role in being able to see when funds are sent or received instantly.
If someone was thinking about becoming a legal cashier what advice would you give them?
Be prepared for a varied role and you need to be very flexible i.e. prioritising. Attention to detail is imperative as one mistake can cause many problems down the line. We are always thinking one step ahead.
I started in engineering and took a temporary role archiving files whilst I was in between employment. This quickly led to helping with accounts work. I think being a logical person lends itself well in my role.
Tell us something about your job which people would be surprised to know about?
Solicitors account rules! We are governed by the SRA and Law society. These dictate how and when we can use clients’ money and carry out certain accounting procedures. We are audited externally every year and any breaches, no matter how small, are reported.
Tell us something you have achieved in your role which you are proud of?
Editor : Andrew was too modest to answer this question but he should be really proud of the professional way he does his job and his expertise on things like the solicitors accounts rules. Many people don’t realise the reason they have got their keys so quickly on move day is because of the efficient way Andrew has handled the accounting process.
Have you always lived in Tees Valley? If not what attracted you to the area? If so what do you like most about living here?
I am originally from Seaham and worked in the Sunderland area. After the financial crash in 2008 a lot of solicitors were struggling financially or were being forced to close. I was a casualty of this and made redundant from my previous employment. I did a few temporary roles in the area but came further afield to Stockton when offered another temporary role with Jacksons. I moved to Teesside in 2013 and the surrounding areas have so much to offer, whether it’s a walk in the countryside or shopping.
