• understanding of scope of own responsibility is demonstrated • an understanding of trust accounting principles and practices within the limits of the employee’s responsibilities is demonstrated • an understanding of a firm’s trust and general accounting procedures is demonstrated • correct usage of different types of documents is demonstrated • documentation is filled out correctly and presented to instructing legal practitioner within agreed timelines • records of disbursements are accurate and up-to-date, according to a firm’s policies and procedures • evidence of knowledge of the type of discrepancies and irregularities which could arise and standard resolutions • discrepancies and irregularities are resolved within scope of own responsibility and those outside of own responsibility are referred immediately to instructing legal practitioner, eg. files with inadequate funds • calculations and reconciliations are checked for accuracy numerical information is checked • contact with client regarding inadequacy of funds is handled sensitively and according to a firm’s policies and procedures • legal actions, legislative requirements and invoicing procedures are explained to client in simple language, where appropriate • check for written authorisation from client and instructing legal practitioner is obtained when moving trust account money into interest bearing account • documentation prepared at the completion of a legal matter is complete and accurate • file/matter number is attached to all relevant documentation and such documentation is filed appropriately • a firm’s trust accounting procedures, legislative and regulatory requirements are complied with • non-disclosable information is not communicated and where any doubt exists as to the information’s status it is not disclosed • activities, actions and outcomes are documented and time is recorded • honesty and integrity are demonstrated in all financial dealings • all work is conducted within accepted codes of conduct including those relating to: maintaining confidentiality, use of company property, duty of care, ethical behaviours, privacy, non-discriminatory practice, conflict of interests and compliance with reasonable direction • reports in relation to trust monies are compiled and reviewed in line with firm’s policies and procedures |