ALL >> Legal >> View Article
A Primer For Trust Accounting
It's not enough for your Attorney billing and trust accounting software to track retainer funds in trust accounts. You need trust bookkeeping safeguards, too.
Let's go back to what we know about professional ethics. The only things that get deposited into a trust account are as follows:
Funds for real estate transactions (i.e. escrow funds)
Personal injury settlements
Other settlements / judgments
Collections
Unearned retainers
It all comes down to fiduciary responsibility. So you don't co-mingle personal funds, earned fees, and operating expenses into your client's escrow account.
The other thing you've got to do is segregate client funds. To keep from co-mingling client A's funds with client B's money, you either keep the funds in separate accounts, or as separate entities—each with its own balance and transaction report—in the same pooled escrow account.
Finally, if you've overspent what a client has in retainer account, you've got to cover any overdraft amount back from your personal funds—immediately.
...
... Every month, you've got to show that you've reconciled every escrow account—matching your books with your bank statements. The balance in your client's bank escrow account has got to match the total cleared in your books—month after month. This is where you'll identify any missed steps or other mistakes. Skip this step—and you're waiting for disaster to strike.
If you're keeping good records, then you're leaving a paper trail for potential auditors. You're keeping—not just your account statements, but also canceled checks (if applicable), check stubs, deposit slips (make your own copies), copies of all receipts, and a disbursement journal. In place of a disbursement journal, you can report from a good trust account software, such as Easy Soft Easy Trust .
Check your state's ethical rules and regulations for state-specific trust accounting management rules. In fact, you should keep a current Rule Book right in your offices.
Don't lose sleep over trust fund accounting. Follow these simple rules and you'll always be prepared for an audit.
Author Bio
Easy Soft specializes in helping law firms with legal Software. Practice management software such as law office billing software and legal time tracking software.
Add Comment
Legal Articles
1. India Joint Ventures Demystified: Legal Structures, Tax Benefits, And MoreAuthor: Ahlawat and Associates
2. How Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Serve Clients From Diverse Backgrounds
Author: glennrroderman
3. Maximizing Investments: Legal Tips For Smart Real Estate Ventures
Author: Robert J. Incollingo
4. Xbrl Outsourcing: Streamlining Financial Reporting For Businesses
Author: seedling associates
5. How To Prepare For Your First Meeting With A Personal Injury Attorney In Phoenix
Author: charlottehenry
6. Online Gaming License In India: Navigating The Regulatory Landscape
Author: seedling associates
7. A Comprehensive Guide To Iso Company Registration In India
Author: seedling associates
8. Google Rolled Out Made In India Pixel 8 Smartphones For The First Time
Author: Dev kumar
9. A Simple Guide For Starting An Ecommerce Business In The Uk As A Foreigner
Author: The SmartMove2UK
10. Succession Certificate Simplified: How To Navigate The Application Process
Author: NRI Legal
11. From Planning To Execution: Comprehensive Business Setup Services In India
Author: Ahlawat and Associates
12. Your Complete Guide To Saudi Police Clearance
Author: anzilanx
13. How The Supreme Court Decides On Bail: Insights And Procedures
Author: Aditya shah
14. How To Choose The Right Fingerprint Agency In Surrey, Bc
Author: Hardik Shah
15. Qatar Pcc For Tourists: Is It Necessary?
Author: shareeba