Virtual accounts service hits the right mark
Virtual Practices, the latest innovation to be launched by
leading software company Solicitors Own Software (SOS) is already
creating interest and excitement among smaller legal firms, with
new firms signing up weekly.
According to legal IT guru, Charles Christian, this secure,
web-based legal accounting and matter management service is “one
of the most technically and commercially attractive hosted solutions
we have seen to date.”
A key benefit of Virtual Practices, which provides lawyers with
their own virtual accounts department for a set monthly fee,
is that it provides access to the full functionality of SOS Connect – an
award winning .NET based practice management system.
For £350 per month, including 200 postings and full month-end
management and financial reports, Virtual Practices will provide
an online accounts bureau that will free up more time for the
fee-earner for profitable work.
All the solicitor or staff member requires is a PC or laptop
and connection to the Internet. The firm is simply connected
to the service via the Internet for a monthly fee that provides
access for all members of staff. The initial set-up and
training required is minimal, the system is permanently on-line
and requires no day-to-day administration. Employment costs
and associated risks are reduced or removed.
The accounts are managed on-line by a team of skilled specialists
who provide a secure cashier service and create and maintain
records to Law Society standards. Peace of mind is assured
as the Legal Practices accounts information is stored in secure
and managed servers off site.
But Virtual Practices is much more than accounting software
- its time-saving features include intuitive time recording,
client and matter creation, matter management and automatic filing
of emails against matters.
The matter management scripting function lets users build their
own workflow processes into the software, delivering results
much faster and more easily than a case management system.
It is also fully integrated with Microsoft Outlook so is easy
to use.
“Virtual Practices is a secure and affordable accounting
solution for smaller practices,” said SOS managing director,
Michael Platt. “Our software is used by many top 100 law
firms and VP offers all the functionality of SOS Connect, our
award winning .NET practice management system, at an affordable
price.
“Since Virtual Practices provides virtual legal cashiers
whenever required, firms save on salaries and all the headaches
that employing staff can entail. But that’s not all - the
accounting and matter management features also liberate fee-earners
from time-consuming administrative work, helping to make smaller
practices more profitable.”
He added: “It is also extremely flexible – both
in the range of reports it provides and the number of users who
can access it so its capabilities can expand as a firm grows.”
For more information on Virtual Practices, visit www.virtualpractices.co.uk or call SOS on Freephone 0800 027 7341.
