Becoming a COFA - A Practical Guide to Getting Started

Introduction

This highly interactive seminar is designed to equip newly appointed Compliance Officers for Finance and Administration (COFAs) with the essential tools and practical steps needed to excel in their role from day one.

Led by Paul Bennett, a leading regulatory solicitor with extensive experience advising law firms, this practical session goes beyond the theory to focus on real-world application.

Through case studies, interactive group exercises, and real-life examples, you will explore the full spectrum of COFA responsibilities — from financial compliance to reporting obligations and risk management.

Ideal for those new to the COFA position, as well as anyone seeking a refresher or deeper understanding of the role, this seminar ensures that you leave not only informed but confident and ready to implement what you have learned.

What You Will Learn

This course will cover the following:

• The key extracts from the Code of Conduct for firms for the COFA
• How the SRA share guidance and warning notes and how these impact your internal training regime
• Compliance and business systems
• The cooperation and accountability relationship between the partners, the COFA and the SRA
• Known problem areas of the SRA Accounts Rules 2019 and practical risk management
• Developing a compliance plan to manage the risks in your firm
• Anti-Money Laundering and the 2017 Regulations and how they impact on COFAs
• Monitoring and recording breaches
• Self-reporting to the SRA and corrective action
• Case studies - lessons from the frontline