CPD/RME Elective
Course:
A Practical Guide to the
Solicitors' Accounts Rules
and Amendments
Coming into Effect
on 1 July 2016

Amirali Nasir solicitor admitted in Hong Kong, and England and Wales, founder of NASIRS® (formerly AB NASIR & CO.®).  Accredited mediator and regular speaker on Solicitors' Accounts, Professional Conduct, Hong Kong Civil Procedures, Risk Management, Technology in Law, Innovation and Islamic Finance.

Amirali chairs the ILAC, InnoTech Committee, Guide Working Party, Solicitors' Accounts Rules Working Party and formerly the External Examiner on "Accounts" for PCLL "Professional Practice and Management" and "Corporate and Commercial Transactions I" Examinations for The University of Hong Kong.

Amirali actively promotes continuous education, equal opportunity, racial harmony, corporate governance and ethical values for lawyers, accountants and corporations, and advocates a green attitude for a clean blue green planet.  His hobbies are neurogaming.

The seminar seeks to introduce the Solicitors' Accounts Rules, some common errors, mistakes and pitfalls that are encountered by firms and clarification of some uncertainty the legislation may cause.  The duties and responsibilities of the firm to the public and the Law Society are identified.  Important ethical issues will also be covered.

In addition, with the Solicitors' Accounts (Amendment) Rules 2012 passed by the Legislative Council in December 2012.  Amendments introduced by the Solicitors' Accounts (Amendment) Rules 2012 are scheduled to come into operation on 1 July 2016.  The Manual on Solicitors' Accounting of the Law Society will be updated to reflect the amendments introduced by the Solicitors' Accounts (Amendment) Rules 2012.

Firms must effect changes to their accounting systems on the handling and recording of client money.  This seminar will introduce the new rules and highlight the changes that will have to be made for timely compliance with the Solicitors' Accounts Rules.

Practical demonstration will enable delegates to easily and effortlessly assimilate and understand the Solicitors' Accounts Rules and apply them intuitively.  Microsoft Excel will be used to explain the application of the Solicitors' Accounts Rules and accounting entries.

• Source of law and regulations
1. Solicitors' Accounts Rules (Cap. 159F)
2. Accountant's Report Rules (Cap. 159A)
3. HKICPA Practice Note 840
4. Practice Directions A(3)
5. Manual on Solicitors' Accounting
• Common errors and pitfalls
• Solicitors/Accountants' duties and responsibility
• Procedures for solicitors' accounts
• Gross Fee Income Report & Accountant's Report
• Regulations on handling client's money by Solicitors with examples on client account ledger
• Changes introduced by the Solicitors' Accounts (Amendment) Rules 2012 which will come into operation on 1 July 2016
• Discussion on issues such as requests for proforma invoice, description of disbursements in bill be they paid, anticipated or incurred but not paid, mark up on disbursements and mixed payments