Written by:
Grant Yuill
Head of Marketing & Customer Engagement
Erin Ramsay, a SOLAS Qualified Legal Accounts Implementation & Support Specialist, has been a key part of Denovo for nearly a decade. With her expertise in implementing and training on the accounting module of Denovo’s practice management platform, Erin’s approach ensures law firms are not only compliant but efficient. In this Q&A, Erin shares her insights on the importance of integrated legal accounts software, the challenges she’s faced when training clients, and the exciting developments coming to Denovo’s accounts software in 2025.
Grant: Erin, you’ve been with Denovo for almost a decade, and your role is pretty specialised. Could you tell us about the importance of having secure, fully integrated, and compliant legal accounts software?
Erin: Absolutely, Grant. The key here is we have one software platform which has the accounts operating alongside the case management system, meaning data only needs to be entered once. This massively reduces the risk of errors and, just as importantly, saves time. I’ve seen firms waste hours manually re-entering data across separate systems, and all that does is increase the chance of mistakes. Our accounts package is not a third party integration. It’s built into our system and designed to remove that headache entirely.
The other big thing is compliance. We’ve deliberately designed our legal accounts software to be fully customisable, ensuring it meets the Law Society or SRA Accounts Rules for each specific jurisdiction in the UK. Compliance isn’t optional—it’s a must—and our platform ensures that firms stay 100% compliant without needing to worry about all the nitty-gritty details.
Grant: You mention compliance—how important is it for firms to be able to rely on their software to meet those requirements?
Erin: It’s crucial. Law firms must keep compliant with specific accounting rules, depending on where they’re based. We’ve built our system to be flexible and adaptable so that no matter where a firm operates in the UK, they can trust that the software is compliant with their local regulations. A lot of off-the-shelf solutions don’t offer that level of customisation, which is where we set ourselves apart. We’ve worked directly with firms to make sure our platform isn’t just functional but properly usable on a daily basis. We want solicitors to focus on their clients and not worry about whether their accounts are compliant.
Grant: How do you make sure the system is functional on a daily basis for firms?
Erin: We specialise in creating simple, straightforward legal accounts software. It’s not about overcomplicating things; it’s about making sure the tools we provide help firms become more efficient. Our accounts module is completely customisable, meaning firms get only what they need. No extra fluff, just what’s essential to keep things running smoothly and in line with regulations.
We also offer a support structure that’s second to none. Our team includes fully qualified law accountants who can tailor the accounts software to fit a practice’s specific needs. It’s not just plug-and-play—it’s a solution that can grow and evolve with a firm’s requirements.
Grant: In your time training clients on the accounts software, have you faced any challenges that stand out?
Erin: Oh, plenty! You might think one firm’s accounting processes would be the same as the next but there’s always something that surprises you. One thing I find amusing is how some clients just freeze when they hear the word “accounting.” I’ve had trainees sit there, eyes wide, convinced they’ll never get the hang of it because, well, “accounting just isn’t their thing.” I always jokingly say, “It’s not rocket science—it’s numbers! And we’ve already done the hard part of making sure they all add up for you!” (laughs).
There was one firm that was so resistant to change that I had to practically beg them to try the automation features. They were still handwriting ledgers! It took some time, but once they finally saw how much quicker the software made their work, they were all in. Now, they can’t imagine going back to the old ways.
Grant: Sounds like some of those training sessions could be challenging. How do you overcome that resistance?
Erin: A bit of patience and a lot of humour go a long way. I try to break things down into manageable steps. Instead of overwhelming people with everything at once, we go one feature at a time. I always tell them, “Look, it’s okay if you’re not an accountant—that’s what this software is for. Let it do the heavy lifting!”
At the end of the day, it’s about building confidence. Cashroom staff know what they need to achieve, I just make sure they know how to do that with our software. Once people realise the system is there to make their lives easier, they’re a lot more open to using it. And of course, the support doesn’t end with the training. I’m always just a call away if they need help, which makes a big difference.
Grant: You’ve seen Denovo evolve over the years—what excites you most about the developments we’re rolling out in 2025?
Erin: I’m incredibly excited about what’s coming! Without giving too much away, let’s just say we’ve got some big changes on the horizon for our accounts software. We’ve listened to client feedback and worked hard to implement features that I know our users are going to love. It’s going to make things even simpler and more efficient.
I can’t spill all the beans just yet, but I can say that 2025 is going to be a great year for both Denovo and our clients. I’m really looking forward to sharing these updates with our firms because I know it’s going to make their lives a lot easier.
If you’re ready to make the switch to a more efficient legal software system let us help. At Denovo, we specialise in successful conversions, ensuring your data stays secure and your team is fully supported. Contact us today and make the change easier.
- Email: info@denovobi.com
- Call: 0141 331 5290
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