ABOUT
Jacques is a Director and Practice Manager at Chess Law Solicitors and the firm’s Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA).
Jacques graduated from University College London with a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics with Information Studies, before undertaking his professional accountancy training with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
He brings more than 45 years’ experience in accountancy, audit, financial management and regulatory compliance to Chess Law Solicitors. Throughout his career, Jacques has held senior positions within leading accountancy and professional services firms, working closely with businesses, professionals and solicitors’ practices and developing particular expertise in the financial and regulatory requirements that apply to law firms.
Financial & Regulatory Experience
Jacques began his professional career in accountancy before moving into increasingly senior audit and financial roles.
His experience includes working as a litigation senior at BDO Binder Hamlyn, where he assisted in the preparation of forensic accountancy reports and the analysis and interpretation of complex financial information. He subsequently worked as a Senior Auditor before spending five years at Silver Levene, where he was responsible for some of the firm’s largest audit clients and developed a particular specialism in solicitors’ audits.
Jacques later spent almost 20 years as Financial Controller at RGL LLP in the City of London, with responsibility for the entire accounting function. His role included management accounts, cash flow and budgeting, financial controls, credit control, taxation, audit preparation and the management of time, fees and work in progress, reporting directly to the firm’s partners.
A Career Working Alongside Solicitors
A significant part of Jacques’ professional career has involved working with and advising legal practices.
As an auditor, he specialised in the audit of solicitors’ client accounts and regulatory compliance, developing detailed knowledge of the financial controls required within regulated law firms. His work included identifying financial risk and potential breaches, advising on remediation and dealing with costs-related matters and litigation.
He has also run his own accountancy consultancy, providing accounting, taxation and financial services to professional clients and taking responsibility for his own compliance, financial controls and client risk management.
Keeping Chess Law Running Properly
At Chess Law Solicitors, Jacques works behind the scenes to ensure that the firm is managed with the same care and attention that we expect to be given to our clients’ cases.
As Practice Manager and COFA, he has responsibility for the firm’s financial management and controls, compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules, and the operational systems and processes that support the practice.
He also brings substantial management experience. During his career he has supervised teams of junior accountants, managed workloads, conducted performance reviews and overseen professional work from initial instruction through to final reporting.
Jacques’ role is to make sure that the firm works as well behind the scenes as it does for its clients. Drawing on decades of financial and management experience, he oversees the systems, controls and financial processes that allow the legal team to concentrate on what matters most — our clients and their cases.
