Accounting And Tax Principles For Legal Professionals

As the private practice law firm enters an increasingly competitive environment, firms must provide a wide variety of collateral services to clients to retain current business and to attract new clients. Because the law firm frequently has more knowledge than anyone else with respect to a client's financial status, tax assistance is a logical choice in terms of revenue generating services that can be offered to clients at a cost effective rate. Either an attorney or a paralegal can often provide tax assistance service. Additionally, because smaller firms often require support staff to function in dual roles, it is a perfect fit for the qualified paralegal to assist in basic accounting functions for the firm. This can be a much more cost-effective use of the paralegal's time and salary than to use the paralegal in a strictly clerical role. Accounting and Tax Principles for Legal Professionals will provide paralegal and law students with marketable skills to help assist in the financial management of the firm they join and to market these services to current and prospective clients.

Many lawyers, especially those dealing with commercial matters, need to understand accounting yet feel on shaky ground in the area. This book is written specifically for them. It breaks down and makes clear basic concepts (such as the difference between profit and cash flow), the accounting profession and the legal and regulatory framework within which accounting operates. The relevant provisions of the Companies Act 1985 are discussed at some length. Holgate explains generally accepted accounting principles in the UK (GAAP), the trend towards global harmonisation and the role of international accounting standards. He then deals with specific areas such as group accounts, acquisitions, tax, leases, pensions, financial instruments, and realised profits, focusing in each case on those aspects that are likely to confront lawyers in their work. This book will appeal to the general practitioner as well as to lawyers working in corporate, commercial, and tax law.

Many lawyers, especially those dealing with commercial matters, need to understand accounting yet feel on shaky ground in the area. This book is written specifically for them. It breaks down and makes clear basic concepts (such as the difference between profit and cash flow), the accounting profession and the legal and regulatory framework within which accounting operates. The relevant provisions of the Companies Act 1985 are discussed at some length. Holgate explains generally accepted accounting principles in the UK (GAAP), the trend towards global harmonisation and the role of international accounting standards. He then deals with specific areas such as group accounts, acquisitions, tax, leases, pensions, financial instruments, and realised profits, focusing in each case on those aspects that are likely to confront lawyers in their work. This book will appeal to the general practitioner as well as to lawyers working in corporate, commercial, and tax law.