A legal accountant maintains a law firm’s financial information. They process accounts payable and receivable, reconcile general ledgers, and prepare all financial statements, including balance sheets, tax returns, income statements, disbursements accounting, and profit and loss statements. A legal accountant is also in charge of processing client billing, closing out each month, tax preparation, and assisting with the year-end audit. They should also know how to process payroll, as well as how to prepare W-2’s and 1099’s. This position is privy to personal, firm, and client financials, so maintaining strict confidentiality is crucial. A legal accountant typically works full-time for a law firm, but can also work for a corporation or non-profit organization.