News
Withers trainees seconded to the accounts department
- 23rd November 2009
Trainees at London firm Withers are being seconded to the firm’s accounts department for three months during their training contract. Withers says this trainee ‘seat’ in the finance department is not a new idea. Some years ago trainees spent time within the accounts department to 'learn the ropes' – but the focus of the stint has now shifted.
The main focus is to develop an understanding of working capital management. Trainees will gain valuable insight into how the billing and collection processes operate as well as allowing them to gain an overview of the accounting function generally, including the processes designed to ensure the firm complies with the Solicitors' Accounts Rules
A spokesperson for the firm says: “Trainees are expected to check and chase up outstanding bills, and will be exposed ‘to various aspects of the firm's financial reporting function and all levels of the firm's management and partners”. There would be no delay in the trainees qualifying. Daniel Isaac, the firm's training partner, said that he hoped that a stint in the accounts department would give the trainees a more thorough grounding as to how the business worked.
He adds: “Being a successful lawyer in private practice requires a thorough understanding of the business of providing legal services and we hope a short stint with our finance team will provide a good grounding for this.”
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