Attorney Accounting & Law Firm Bookkeeping

Law Firm Accounting & Bookkeeping Made Simple Spend more time practicing law—we’ll handle the numbers.

Law Firm Bookkeeping & Attorney Accounting

Running a successful law firm means focusing on serving clients and practicing law. Yet trust accounts, payroll, invoicing, and compliance can make financial management a full-time job. At CPN Legal, we focus exclusively on law firm bookkeeping and accounting, giving attorneys organized records and a clear view of their financial position. Founded in 2011 by Peggy and Chris Gruenke, we handle day-to-day bookkeeping, trust account work, payroll, invoicing, and KPI reporting so you can spend less time wrestling with the numbers.

Experienced Law Firm Accounting & Bookkeeping Services Trusted by 300+ Firms Nationwide

Call CPN Legal today at (513) 463-1817 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation and discuss how CPN Legal can strengthen your firm’s financial operations.

Ohio Trust Accounting Requirements for Law Firms

Ohio attorneys who receive or disburse client funds must follow Ohio Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15. Client funds are generally deposited into an IOLTA, or Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account, when the amount is too small or held too briefly to earn net interest for an individual client. Attorneys who don’t receive or disburse client funds are exempt from the IOLTA requirement.

Ohio requires three-way trust reconciliation, which compares the bank balance, the accounting records, and the total of all individual client ledgers. The balances must agree after outstanding transactions are accounted for. IOLTA accounts must also be registered with the Supreme Court of Ohio through the biennial attorney registration form.

Interest from pooled IOLTA accounts supports legal aid through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation. These requirements make accurate client ledgers and consistent reconciliation essential parts of law firm bookkeeping in Ohio. This information provides general context and isn’t legal advice.

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Financial Services

Designed for Law Firms

We offer a full range of law firm accounting and bookkeeping services. Whether you’re a solo practitioner, boutique office, or large partnership, we tailor our support to your firm’s structure and financial needs.

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CPN Legal's Blog

Ohio Tax Considerations for Law Firms

Ohio doesn’t impose a corporate income tax, but its Commercial Activity Tax applies to taxable gross receipts. For tax periods beginning in 2025 and after, liability begins when Ohio taxable gross receipts exceed $6 million. The rate is 0.26% on receipts above that threshold.

Law firms organized as partnerships, S corporations, or qualifying limited liability companies can also have Ohio pass-through entity tax filing responsibilities. For calendar-year entities, estimated payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Ohio pass-through entity returns are generally due April 15 after the entity’s tax year ends, subject to applicable weekend, holiday, and extension rules.

Entity structure, gross receipts, and filing elections affect which requirements apply. Law firms should review their specific obligations with qualified legal and tax advisers. This information is educational and doesn’t represent tax advice or a statement that we prepare tax returns.

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Law Firm Money Mistakes Lawyers Keep Making: Peggy Gruenke Joins Lawyers in the Wild®

Running a successful law firm requires more than being a skilled attorney. Law firm owners must also understand their finances, manage cash flow, maintain accurate records, and build operational systems that support sustainable growth.
In a recent episode of Lawyers in the Wild, hosts Lindsey E. Egan and Robert J. Hartigan welcomed

Listen to the Episode Here!
Peggy's 2025 Clio Con KPI Presentation is now available The KPI Playbook: Turning Insights into Action (CLE)
Is your law firm encouraging a culture of true data literacy, or are you leaving valuable insights and metrics locked away in a forgotten filing cabinet?
By learning how to define and decipher key performance indicators (KPIs), you’ll have the tools and training you need to make informed, data-driven decisions! In this session, learn how to:
- Identify the KPIs that matter most to law firms
- Use data to monitor client satisfaction, profitability, and team efficiency
- Build a firm-wide culture of data literacy
- Ready to become a truly data-driven firm? It’s a date!
Listen to the Episode Here! Watch the Episode Here!
Peggy Gruenke, Co-Owner of CPN Legal, Featured on the Hiring & Empowering Solutions® Podcast

Peggy recently sat down with Molly McGrath of Hiring & Empowering Solutions® to break down why law firm bookkeeping isn't something you can afford to DIY—and get wrong. In the episode, she shares her path from IT professional to legal finance expert and dives into the top financial missteps law firms make, from trust account errors to reports with bad data, or even worse, no financial reporting in place. Peggy explains why managing law firm finances requires a specialized approach and how CPN Legal helps firms stay compliant, avoid ethical landmines, and set the stage for sustainable growth.
If you're running a firm—or trying to grow one—this is 30 minutes well spent.

Listen to the Episode Here! Watch the Episode Here!
Order Over Overwhelm Peggy is featured on the Unfinished Business Podcast Sponsored by Ignite Coaching and Consulting
In this Unfinished Business episode, Kimberly Griggs sits down with Peggy, co-founder of CPN Legal, to talk about her path from IT consulting into transforming how attorneys run their firms. The discussion explores perfectionism traps, the value of strong mentors, and the hurdles of launching a new venture. Peggy highlights why cultural fit matters in hiring, how setbacks can become lessons, and how thought leadership fuels effective marketing. They also dive into the influence of AI and automation on the legal industry, along with Peggy’s long-term vision and the legacy she wants to create for her grandchildren.

Listen to the Episode Here!
The #1 Financial Blunder Killing Law Firms And How to Fix it Fast Peggy Speaks with The Lawyer Millionaire

On this episode of The Lawyer Millionaire Podcast, Peggy Gruenke—owner and co-founder of CPN Legal—joins host Darren Wurz to share her expertise as a nationally recognized leader in law firm bookkeeping and operations. With decades of hands-on experience and a proven record of guiding more than 400 law firms to growth, Peggy offers invaluable perspective on the financial and operational hurdles that law firm owners face and how to overcome them.

Listen to the Episode Here!

Why Law Firms Choose CPN Legal for Their Accounting & Bookkeeping Needs

Legal finance requires industry-specific knowledge and precision. We work exclusively with law firms and attorneys, using systems built around the financial demands of legal practice.

Our team understands the complexities of legal finance, from IOLTA accounts to contingency fee structures. We work within your legal software to maintain current books, reconcile client funds, and produce reports your firm can use.

Clio Gold Certified Partner & Clio Impact Partner Award Winner: We’re part of a select group recognized for Clio integration and legal practice management consulting.
QuickBooks Elite ProAdvisor Status: We hold QuickBooks Elite ProAdvisor status.
Gusto Gold Partner: Our team supports payroll implementation and processing through Gusto.
AIPB Member: We’re an active member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
28-Member Dedicated Team: Every client receives a dedicated bookkeeper and team lead, backed by accountants, bookkeepers, and KPI professionals.
Fast 55 Award Recipient: CPN Legal is a Fast 55 award recipient.
Best Place to Work Designation: This recognition reflects the culture built within our team.
Nationally Recognized Thought Leadership: Co-owner Peggy Gruenke is a nationally recognized speaker on legal finance who has appeared at Clio Con and on The Lawyer Millionaire and Hiring & Empowering Solutions podcasts.

When you partner with CPN Legal, you gain a financial team built around the needs of legal practices. Our white-glove onboarding, ongoing daily collaboration, and proactive financial strategies help your firm maintain dependable systems and work toward sustainable growth.

Starting a Law Firm in Ohio

Ohio attorneys choosing a structure for a new practice should understand the state’s entity options and filing requirements. Ohio doesn’t recognize a separate professional LLC. An attorney can form a regular limited liability company by filing Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State.

Ohio-licensed professionals can also form a professional association by filing Initial Articles of Incorporation. As of 2026, the filing fee for Ohio Articles of Organization is $99. Professional associations and limited liability partnerships have biennial filing requirements, while standard for-profit LLCs don’t have an annual report requirement.

Liability, tax treatment, ownership, and professional responsibility rules should all be considered before selecting an entity. Attorneys should consult qualified legal and tax advisers because this information is educational and doesn’t constitute entity formation or legal advice from CPN Legal.

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See What Law Firms Say About Us

Our clients rely on us for accurate accounting, clear reporting, and financial strategies that drive success. See how we’ve helped firms like yours.

“Knowledgeable and kind team”
“On top of being great professionally and knowing their stuff, they are kind and easy to deal with.”

- Kyle S.
“Outstanding and easy to work with!”
“They are easy to work with, very quick to respond, so smart and helpful, and always a pleasure!”

- Annalei B.
“Incredible and professional service.”
“We have been working with CPN for almost a year now, and the experience has been incredible.”

- Trust Tree
“Extremely Thorough & Reliable”
“The team at CPN Legal has done a superb job for us at Passage Immigration Law.”

- Erick W.
“Really Amazing”
“They're really an extension of the firm and we cannot overstate their value to us.”

- J. Barrett S.
“Provided Great Guidance”
“My law firm's experience with CPN Legal has been wonderful.”

- Howard B.
“Very Helpful & Friendly”
“Without them, it would have been more difficult for us. We are so grateful for their help.”

- Sandra H.
“So Helpful & Knowledgeable”
“They make everything easy!”

- Carrie D.

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Law Firm Accounting & Bookkeeping Services We Provide

CPN Legal offers financial services built exclusively for attorneys and law offices. We tailor each engagement to your firm’s size, structure, systems, and priorities. Here’s what we handle:

Law Firm Accounting & Bookkeeping: Day-to-day bookkeeping, monthly financial statements, and account reconciliation to keep your records accurate and current.
Trust Accounting: IOLTA management, client ledger maintenance, and three-way reconciliation.
Accounts Payable & Vendor Payment: Invoice management, expense tracking, vendor payments, and bill pay coordination.
Invoicing & Accounts Receivable : Client invoicing setup, accounts receivable reporting, payment recording, and case management software integration.
Payroll Setup & Processing: Implementation and ongoing processing for law firm staff through Gusto.
KPI Metrics Reporting: Custom dashboards tracking revenue per attorney, collection rates, overhead ratios, and other metrics that support financial decisions.
Clio Bookkeeping Consulting & Setup: Clio Manage and Clio Payments integration with QuickBooks Online, plus team training and ongoing consulting.
Integrating QuickBooks Software: QuickBooks Online setup, cleanup, integration, and ongoing management tailored to law firm accounting workflows.

We Also Support Clients Using Case Management Systems Like:

We connect the following platforms with QuickBooks Online and provide training and consulting tailored to each system:

Smokeball Bookkeeping Consulting & Setup: We connect Smokeball and QuickBooks Online, train your team, and provide ongoing guidance to keep billing and bookkeeping records aligned.
MyCase Bookkeeping Consulting & Setup: We configure MyCase and QuickBooks Online, with team instruction and continued guidance for payments and trust activity.
Filevine Bookkeeping Consulting & Setup: We link Filevine and QuickBooks Online, then tailor training and consulting to how cases and billing move through the platform.

Our Law Firm Bookkeeping Engagement Process

We begin with a thoughtful review of your firm’s books and current financial workflows. Together, we identify pain points, reporting needs, and opportunities to improve how financial information moves between your systems.

From there, we build more efficient processes around your firm’s needs. The work can include bookkeeping, trust account reconciliation, payroll, invoicing, reporting, and software support based on the agreed scope of the engagement.

Partner with a Law Firm Accounting Team That Knows Your Industry

We take a customized, hands-on approach from the initial review through ongoing daily collaboration. Our work stays focused on the systems and financial priorities of attorneys and law firms.

Whether you need support with client funds, KPI reporting, QuickBooks Online, or day-to-day bookkeeping, we build the engagement around your firm’s operations. Your initial consultation is free, giving you an opportunity to discuss the condition of your books and the support you need.

Contact CPN Legal today to schedule your free consultation and discuss a clearer, more dependable approach to your firm’s finances.

Preparing for Your Bookkeeping Consultation

A productive initial consultation begins with an overview of your current books, financial workflows, and reporting needs. You can also describe the financial pain points taking time away from your legal work and identify records that need review.

Helpful information to prepare includes:

Your current bookkeeping and accounting systems
Your case management and payment software
Your payroll and processing needs
Your trust-account activity and reconciliation process
Your invoicing, accounts receivable, and reporting workflows

The scope of law firm bookkeeping support depends on the work involved, the condition of the existing records, and the systems that need to connect. Sharing these details helps clarify which financial operations need attention without committing your firm to a particular service package or price.

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Let’s Talk About Your Firm’s Finances

Whether you need bookkeeping, trust accounting, or financial strategy support, our team is ready to assist. Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you shortly.

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Services needed - select all that apply:
- Bookkeeping services
- Invoicing services
- QuickBooks Online Clean Up
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Trusted by 300+ Law Firms Nationwide
From solo practices to growing firms, we help attorneys increase profitability and efficiency. Our flexible services scale with your needs.
Proven & Recognized

We’re a Clio Gold Level Consultant, QuickBooks Elite ProAdvisor, and multi-year Clio Partner Award winner. Our accolades reflect our commitment to quality and growth.
A Team You Can Rely On

Your firm gets a dedicated bookkeeper and team lead, plus the support of our 28-member team. We ensure accuracy, compliance, and financial clarity every step of the way.
Law Firm Accounting, Simplified

With over 12 years of experience, we provide bookkeeping, trust accounting, KPI reporting, payroll, and financial consulting—so you can focus on practicing law.