Serving the Legal Sector
Protecting client trust. Strengthening compliance. Empowering legal practices.
Law firms run on trust, but behind every case is a practice that must meet strict compliance, tax, and financial standards.
CIBA-licensed accountants are the backbone of that system, helping firms stay compliant, audit-ready, and financially strong.
Why the Legal Sector Needs Financial Experts
Legal practitioners handle trust accounts, client funds, and complex billing structures daily.
A single accounting mistake can lead to LPC sanctions, reputational damage, or even loss of licence.
That’s why accountants who specialise in legal sector compliance are indispensable. They help firms:
Stay aligned with Legal Practice Council rules
Manage trust accounts with precision
File VAT and handle disbursements correctly
Maintain clean, reconciled books for annual audits
Protect client funds and professional credibility
Compliance here isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of client trust
Your Role as a Finance Professional
CIBA-licensed accountants in the legal sector:
Perform monthly trust and business account reconciliations
Ensure compliance with LPC accounting rules and audit standards
Manage payroll and PAYE for professionals and support staff
Structure VAT correctly for disbursements and legal fees
Prepare annual audit packs and tax submissions efficiently
In the legal world, your precision defines their reputation
You help legal firms run smoother, stay compliant, and focus on winning cases — not worrying about compliance penalties.
Key Regulators and Compliance Bodies
Regulator/Body - SARS Focus Area - PAYE, VAT on legal fees, income tax, disbursements
Regulator/Body - Fidelity Fund Focus Area - Client fund protection, compliance certification
Regulator/Body - Department of Justice Focus Area - Oversight and professional conduct regulation
Regulator/Body - CIPC Focus Area - For incorporated or registered law firms
Regulator/Body - FIC (Financial Intelligence Centre) Focus Area - AML/CTF compliance and client verification
Regulator/Body - SARB Focus Area - Cross-border transactions for international legal work
CIBA Support for Legal Accountants
Our sector resources include:
Trust Account Templates and reconciliation checklists
LPC Audit Support Guides for annual submissions
FIC and AML Compliance Frameworks tailored to small and mid-size firms
Ongoing CPD courses covering the latest legal finance regulations
You don’t have to decode legal compliance alone, CIBA’s training and templates make you the expert every law firm relies on.
CIBA gives you the confidence and tools to handle complex compliance with precision.
Who This Is For
For Bookkeepers
Learn the rules of legal accounting through the Free CIBA Bookkeeper Course
Build credibility with law firms and compliance departments
Start your pathway to a CIBA designation
For Accountants (CBAPs)
Get licensed as a Legal Sector Specialist
Charge more for verified LPC-compliant expertise
Access exclusive referrals through CIBA and legal body partnerships
For Legal Sector Bodies
Partner with CIBA to train member firms
Reduce audit failures and regulatory breaches
Strengthen confidence between lawyers and accountants