Legal Sector Insights: Trends and developments you need to know

Andrew Baker, Partner, Accounting and Business Advisory, RSM UK

Andrew is a partner in RSM’s accounting and business advisory team, bringing significant experience in advising and supporting professional services practices. His diverse client portfolio includes professional services businesses, ranging from international and large national firms to local regional practices.

With over 30 years’ experience advising the legal sector, Andrew supports clients on a wide range of strategic, regulatory and operational matters. His experience extends to succession planning, reward and retention strategies, funding and business structures.

As an active member of RSM’s Professional Services Industry Group, and a recognised expert in the provision of Solicitors Accounts Rules (SAR) services, Andrew has played a pivotal role in delivering complex technical updates and training to regional Law Society groups and ICAEW members. He also contributes his expertise to the ICAEW Solicitors Community Advisory Group.
In addition to his client work, Andrew is deeply committed to the development of future talent in the accounting and business advisory fields. He actively participates in mentoring and guiding the next generation of professionals, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the industry’s evolving demands.

Jason Mitchell, Partner, PKF Francis Clark

Jason is a partner within our legal services team. Jason has been working in the sector for the last 17 years, having initially trained as an accountant in industry before moving into accounting practice and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.

Since joining the PKF Francis Clark legal team in 2002, Jason has specialised in providing accountancy and advisory services to a wide range of law firms. His particular areas of interest include: accounting, tax and regulatory matters. Jason’s experience extends to him having the benefit of being employed by a law firm being responsible for its finance function as well as undertaking various similar assignments on a secondment basis to assist our law firm clients.

This practical experience means that he remains in touch with both the commercial and regulatory challenges that they face on a day to day basis. Jason is one of our most experienced team members in respect of the SRA Accounts Rules and the preparation of partnership/LLP accounts for law firms.

Rosie Finch, Financial Controller, Hodge Jones & Allen

Rosie is a qualified accountant who spent a number of years specialising in the legal sector whilst working in practice. In this role she worked with a portfolio of law firms across the country providing accounts, tax, and SRA Accounts Rules compliance advice. Rosie has since made the move into industry, and is currently working as the Financial Controller for a London-based law firm.