Watermans Solicitors has given me a broader perspective on both dealing with client and office transactions. I lead the day to day duties of the finance department and work alongside the department head. My main duties include reconciling office and client bank accounts, performing VAT returns, processing and authorising manual payment runs, generating weekly and monthly statistic reports and providing financial assistance for an additional company operated by the business.

My daily duties consisted of processing client account transactions for various bank accounts including foreign currencies, undertaking daily bank reconciliations, processing manual payments runs by BACS/TT/Cheque, helping in month end procedures, dealing with enquires from fee earners and other external and internal stakeholders. The role was very challenging as we had to work under very strict deadlines to ensure the high volume of transactions are completed in accordance with the firm’s policies. My time at CMS allowed me to develop my leadership skills by delegating tasks to adapt to changes in the work environment. I have good knowledge of using Elite, a legal accounting system which I used daily. I was also responsible for setting up deposits/joint deposit accounts within RBS.

During my time at MOV8 Real Estate I worked as a Cashroom Assistant. My daily duties consist of supporting the Partners and fee earners by undertaking administrative work and legal research. This can be anything from: File management (including file opening and closing), Money Laundering checks, updating client details on our internal LawWare system, communicating with customers via telephone and email and ensuring that the fee earner compliance is efficiently and effectively managed. In addition to my administrative duties it is also my role to complete weekly reconciliation reports for our purchase invoices. It is my responsibility to complete day to day cashroom processing, this can be anything from processing bank payments for client & firm accounts, review client balances to ensure compliance with accounts rules, managing high volume processing and other fund reconciliations reports. I am also currently taking evening classes provided through the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland (SOLAS). I am very keen to progress my career as a Cashier and would be very suitable to roles were training is key for learning and development.My job is very time critical as I am part of a two person team handling all outgoing and ingoing payments. On an average week I will process multiple double figured payments solely, this is also on top of completing all money laundering checks and ensuring each case file has correct fees and invoices attached. This has been a very demanding role but it has also allowed me to push my boundaries with new and current skills such as time management and leadership.

During this role I was responsible for the processing of payments. Throughout the day I would check policies on various payment systems to make sure payments are controlled and updated. I was in direct contact with customers and provided them with information on direct debits, standing orders and also produce quotes. If the customer decides to then go ahead with a policy I would issue the new payment details and a break down of their future payments. I’m also responsible for the administrative duties of maintaining customer accounts; Updating bank details, home addresses, changing funds that clients are invested in and updating the system with premium reviews.

Working with Wolfson gave me an introduction to work as part of a close knit team in an office environment. My daily routine consisted of processing invoices, speaking to customers regarding payments, attending meetings, uploading shipping documents, emailing clients, creating reports using internal systems, updating procedures and completing monthly VAT and reconciliation reports. My work on these reports allowed me to develop my prioritisation and time management skills, as strict deadlines had to be met. Further to managing my workload I had regular conversations with procurement from some of the largest, and most well known, electronic companies in the world. This required me to manage and engage with stakeholders across Wolfson, and their partners, effectively and efficiently. In addition, I have full knowledge on how to use a transaction executable application called IFS for processing payments.

Working with Game has brought a strong customer focus, such as the ability to respond quickly to changing situations, handling customers’ needs, understanding key client’s issues and delivering a positive customer experience. To ensure the highest profit margin on all sales I up sold “bolt on” warranty products and encouraged customers to purchase pre-owned products rather than new products. These stats where shared across the team and encouraged friendly rivalries, which then would result in collaboration amongst the team by sharing best practice.