Solo attorneys and small firms
Bookkeeping for small law firms
A small firm's books should be clear enough that the owner can see what the practice earns and what is owed. Client money is a separate matter with its own rules.
Matthew Coleman, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, accounting and finance degree. Cranford, NJ. Start with a free health check of your books. You get a quote after we review your books, before any work starts.
Client money is separate
Money held for clients is governed by the rules that apply to your bar and your jurisdiction. We do not take over trust account compliance or sign off on it. Ask your own ethics counsel or bar resources about those requirements. We keep your operating books apart from it.
What we track in the operating books
Fees earned, billable and unbilled work in progress as you report it, receivables by client, and firm expenses such as rent, software, insurance and staff. Cost advances for clients are tracked so they are recovered or written off on purpose.
Owner pay and distributions
Owner draws, distributions and any salary should be recorded as what they are, not as expenses. Mixing them up is the most common reason a firm's books do not match its bank.
Staff and contractors
Payroll for paralegals and staff is tied to your payroll provider's reports. Contract attorneys and vendors need paperwork and payment totals kept in order. Classification questions go to your tax professional.
What a month looks like
Bank and card feeds are reconciled, expenses are coded, receivables are reviewed and you get a short report. Your files and client information stay under your control, and we ask for only what the books need.
Related
- Books health report
- Client onboarding for a solo bookkeeper
- Bookkeeping service levels
- Bookkeeping health check
- Bookkeeping guides
- Bookkeeping projects
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency, lender or your professional. Updated October 2026.
FAQ
Common questions
Do you handle trust or escrow accounts?
No. Those are governed by the rules that apply to your bar. We keep the operating books separate and do not review trust accounting.
Do you see client information?
We ask only for what the operating books need. Share nothing that your obligations to clients do not allow.
Can you work with my billing software?
We work from its reports or exports. We confirm the approach when we scope the work.
Do you give tax or legal advice?
No. We prepare clean records for your tax professional.
Can you help before an audit or a sale of the practice?
We can prepare records and schedules. See the audit support and sale-ready books projects.