Bookkeeping and Accounting for Bankruptcy Law Firms

Bankruptcy practices operate under close court oversight. Fees in many cases must be disclosed to and approved by the court, Chapter 13 fees may be paid through the trustee over the life of a plan, and consumer firms often process a high volume of flat-fee cases. A&W Associates provides bookkeeping for bankruptcy law firms that helps keep your fee records organized and your trust account reconciled.

Pre-Petition Retainers and Fee Disclosures

Fees received before filing are subject to court disclosure requirements, which your attorneys are responsible for meeting. We track pre-petition retainers and filing fees by client so your records support the figures your firm reports.

Chapter 13 Trustee Payments

When attorney fees are paid through a Chapter 13 plan, receipts arrive from the trustee over months or years. We record trustee payments against each client, track remaining balances owed under confirmed plans, and report on expected receipts so you can forecast cash flow.

Fee Applications and Court-Approved Compensation

For business bankruptcy and contested matters, compensation often requires a fee application. We keep time, cost, and payment records organized so fee applications are well supported and approved amounts are recorded correctly.

High-Volume Flat-Fee Practices

Consumer bankruptcy firms may file dozens of cases each month. We streamline recording of flat fees, filing fees, credit counseling costs, and payment plans so nothing is missed.

Trust Account Reconciliation

We perform monthly three-way reconciliation of your IOLTA and trust accounts so unearned fee balances are documented and reviewed every month.

What We Handle for Bankruptcy Law Firms

Pre-petition retainer and filing fee tracking
Chapter 13 trustee receipt tracking
Support for fee applications
IOLTA and trust account reconciliation
Accounts payable and receivable
Payroll coordination
Monthly financial reports and tax-ready books

Why Bankruptcy Attorneys Choose A&W Associates

Our team brings over 25 years of accounting experience and specialized training in legal bookkeeping. Contact us today to learn how we can help.

Bankruptcy Courts and Fee Practices in Major Markets

Bankruptcy is federal, but each district has its own local rules, Chapter 13 trustees, and fee practices. A firm’s bookkeeping has to match the procedures of the district where it files. These are the major markets where we support bankruptcy firms remotely.

Texas: Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio

The Southern District of Texas in Houston has become one of the busiest venues in the country for large Chapter 11 cases, and the Northern District in Dallas handles a heavy commercial docket as well. Professionals in these cases are paid through interim and final fee applications, so we track time, expenses, approved amounts, and payments for each application.

New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island

The Southern District of New York is a longtime center for complex Chapter 11 filings, while the Eastern District serves Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island with a large consumer docket. Firms that work both sides of that line need fee records that follow each district’s procedures.

Illinois: Chicago

The Northern District of Illinois uses a model retention agreement for Chapter 13 debtor’s attorneys, under which counsel can be allowed a set fee without itemizing services. Much of that fee is typically paid through the trustee over the life of the plan, so we track expected and received trustee payments for every case.

Florida: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville

Florida bankruptcy filings are split between the Southern District in Miami and the Middle District in Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville, each with its own Chapter 13 trustees and procedures. We organize receivables by district and trustee so payment timing is easy to forecast.

Bankruptcy Law Firm Bookkeeping Near You

A&W Associates supports bankruptcy law firms throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and New Mexico, and works remotely with firms in Texas, Illinois, and New York. See our service area for the cities where we work with law firms, or contact us to ask about your location.

About A&W Associates

A&W Associates was founded by Angela Weicht, who brings over 25 years of financial and accounting experience, beginning in banking as a risk control specialist and fraud control analyst and continuing as an office manager and accounting manager for private businesses. The firm holds Certified Public Bookkeeper and QuickBooks ProAdvisor credentials and specializes in bookkeeping for law firms and nonprofits.