Our Law Firm Bookkeeping System
A Proven System Built for Attorneys, Not Just Businesses
Bookkeeping for law firms isn't an afterthought. It's a critical operational function that protects your license, streamlines your trust account compliance, and strengthens the financial core of your practice.
At Accounting Atelier, we've developed a specialized bookkeeping system designed exclusively for law firms. Here's how we bring structure, clarity, and compliance to every client relationship.
Step 1: Initial Assessment & Review
Before any cleanup, reconciliation, or reporting begins, we start with a complete review of your current bookkeeping and trust accounting environment.
Analyze your operating and trust accounts
Identify missing or out-of-balance client ledgers
Review previous reconciliations (if any)
Pinpoint compliance gaps tied to bar association rules
This foundation ensures that every next step is aligned with legal standards, not just "business as usual" bookkeeping.
Step 2: Cleanup and Corrections (If Needed)
Many firms come to us needing trust accounting correction or historical cleanup.
If cleanup is required, we:
Reconcile past months of trust accounts (IOLTA or individual accounts)
Rebuild missing client ledgers or transaction histories
Correct miscategorized transactions across trust and operating accounts
Establish baseline balances for accurate forward tracking
Your trust accounts must be brought current and compliant before we transition to monthly maintenance.
Step 3: Monthly Reconciliation & Ledger Management
Every month, we deliver:
Three-way reconciliations (trust ledger vs. bank statement vs. client ledgers)
Matter-level trust tracking
Retainer management, earned fee transfers, and disbursement logs
Internal compliance checks aligned with jurisdiction-specific rules
This process ensures that your client funds remain protected - and your firm's financials stay audit-ready.
Step 4: Monthly Financial Reporting
Reliable reporting supports better decisions—and stronger compliance.
Each month, your firm receives:
Profit & Loss (P&L) statement
Balance Sheet
Trust Account Summary Report
Client Ledger Summaries (if requested)
These reports are prepared, reviewed, and delivered consistently - without the surprises, omissions, or outdated figures that plague DIY approaches.
Step 5: Ongoing Oversight & Compliance Monitoring
Bookkeeping is not a "set it and forget it" service.
We maintain:
Active monitoring of trust account activity
Monthly compliance verifications
Best-practice recommendations if your financial systems or processes shift
Communication aligned with your firm's operations, deadlines, and audit risk profile
Our system is designed to protect your firm today - and scale with your growth tomorrow.
Why Our System Works for Law Firms
Most bookkeepers treat your firm like a generic small business. We don't.
Accounting Atelier brings structure, precision, and legal-specific oversight to every client relationship. Our process isn't an extra feature - it's the foundation of everything we deliver.
Trusted by law firms
Specialists in IOLTA and trust compliance
High-level support, proactive communication, and done-for-you systems
Your books shouldn't be a liability. They should be an asset - supporting your firm's reputation, your compliance status, and your future growth.
Ready to Bring Structure to
Your Firm's Financial Systems?
Your practice deserves bookkeeping that meets the standards of the legal profession - not just the business world.