debtors control
11 September 2008

This article is drafted in the form of a check-list, identifying tasks that are to be performed by the person responsible for debtors' control within the firm. Such a person could include the practitioner; another partner designated thereto, an accountant or a debtors' control clerk. Peter Rafferty believes that poor debtors control is the result of poor communication and not encouraging ones clients to get into the habit of paying their legal bills. He divides the strategy into two categories, which will be covered briefly here.

1. Preparation for debtors' control
    Here the emphasis is on having a debtors' control clerk compiling an accurate debtors database and activating it and keeping up to date with reports and emails about invoices.

2. The actions required
    These actions are divided into four time periods and expanded upon, the periods are:

    Actions to be taken immediately after month-end;

    Actions to be taken seven days after month-end;

    Actions to be taken fourteen days after month-end; and

    Actions to be taken twenty one after month-end;

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