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SRA Accounts Rules & COFA training


Safeguarding your practice through regulatory excellence

Compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules is non-negotiable. However, as the rules evolve to become less prescriptive and more reliant on professional judgement, the risk of unintentional breaches increases.

Protecting client money requires more than just a competent finance team; it demands a firm-wide culture of compliance. Armstrong Watson delivers specialist SRA training which ensures your COFA, legal cashiers, and fee earners understand their strict regulatory obligations, empowering them to identify risks and prevent breaches before they occur.

Bespoke training for the whole firm

A common vulnerability in law firms is viewing SRA compliance as solely the responsibility of the accounts department. We provide targeted training tailored to different roles within your practice:

  • For COFAs and Management: High-level training on establishing robust internal systems and controls, managing breach registers, and preparing for SRA audits with confidence.
  • For Legal Cashiers: Deep-dive technical training on the daily application of the Accounts Rules, focusing on bank reconciliations, the treatment of mixed payments, and strict timelines for transferring costs.
  • For Fee Earners: Practical, jargon-free training on the rules that directly impact daily work, including the risks of acting as a banking facility and the dangers of cyber-fraud.

Practical, scenario-based learning

We move away from dry recitations of the rulebook. Our training is highly interactive, utilising real-world scenarios and common regulatory pitfalls drawn from our experience auditing hundreds of law firms across the UK. We focus on practical application, ensuring your team knows exactly how to handle complex transactions compliantly.

Fixed-fee compliance investment

We deliver our SRA training in-house or virtually, customising the content to align with your firm's specific practice areas (e.g., the unique risks in conveyancing vs. litigation).

Training is delivered on a fixed-fee basis, providing total cost certainty while delivering the peace of mind that your firm’s regulatory hygiene is best-in-class.

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Key contact

Andy Poole, Corporate Finance Partner

Andy Poole

Corporate Finance Partner

Contact Andy

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