Although I share some of Simon Young's concerns (see [2007] Gazette, 20 September, 14), particularly with regard to the needless reporting of some technical points which seem to be very trivial, I do feel that he is wrong in assuming that the average cost per firm for this work is £10,000 per annum.


I am an accountant and act for nine firms of solicitors, ranging from sole practitioners to a 36-partner practice. In all cases, the fees charged for the accountant's reports are nowhere near the level suggested, not even for the largest firm.



Most firms are honest and reputable, and do things properly, and it is the minority where things can go wrong. This may happen because the size of the firm may not justify a full-time cashier with the right training, and it can be difficult to find good-quality part-time cashiers. Cashiers in such firms may not be fully conversant with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and may not be encouraged to keep up-to-date with changes, and this is just as likely to be the case with the partners too.



Frequently, the partners do not have the time or the interest to ensure that money is being handled properly and tend to assume that things are running smoothly until they are informed to the contrary. Without an accountant policing things, I am quite sure that shortcuts would be taken in such circumstances and standards would slip, particularly if a dominant partner was dealing with a weak cashier.



David Pike, Ensors, Ipswich