Total
Legal Accounting 3
SECTION
1.3.3.2 - AUTOMATIC TAKE-BACK
USAGE: To take-back monies from Trust to Client. This
option scans through the Client file in the same order as the TAKE-BACK
REPORT (see SECTION 1.3.3.1). The update
creates a transaction report and can print Cheques and Receipts as required.
DISCUSSION: When you start the AUTOMATIC TAKE-BACK program,
you are initially requested to confirm that you have made a backup of your
data. This is important because the program will affect a series of files when
it updates and if there is a problem, you need to be able to resurrect the data
to a sensible state. Without a backup, this is not easily achieved. A copy to
hard-disk is sufficient.
Next the program will scan the Client master-file
picking out the same set of Clients identified in the TAKE-BACK REPORT
(see SECTION 1.3.3.1). The Clients will be
displayed one by one and you will be able to change the take-back value or skip
the file altogether. Typically the screen will appear as follows:
The screen will display the Name, Address and Matter
Re. Also the current Disbursement, Client and Trust balances are displayed on
the left of the screen. In the body of the screen, the Client balance is
displayed and the computer displays the Suggested Take-Back value. This value
is computed in the same way as the TAKE-BACK REPORT. You may then do one
of several things: You may accept the suggested value buy pressing <F10> or <Enter>. You may enter a new value
(up to the Trust balance). You may skip the whole file by pressing <F1> or entering an actual value of zero. If you have
changed the value and wish to re-apply the suggested value, press <F7>.
The process will continue until the Client
master-file has been processed to completion. To stop the process prematurely,
press <ESC>. You will then be offered
the option to cancel the whole Take-Back or update the files you have processed
(i.e. a partial Take-Back).
Next you are required to enter the following screen:
The fields to enter are:
TRUST BANK ACCOUNT Here you enter the Trust Bank account from which the Trust Cheque
will be made. If you cannot remember the account number, press <F9> to initiate a search.
GENERAL BANK ACCOUNT Here you enter the General Bank account to which the
General Receipts will be made. If you cannot remember the account number, press
<F9> to initiate a search.
TC - DESC & REF Here you are required to enter the description of the
Trust Cheque. Also you can enter the Cheque number.
GR - DESC & REF Here you are required to enter the description of General
Receipt. Also you may enter the first receipt number.
When you have entered this information you will be
asked to confirm your entries. If you press <ESC>, the entire run will be
cancelled. If you choose to continue, T.L.A. will update the relevant files and
print the relevant cheque and receipts. After this, you will be given the
opportunity to allocate the Receipts.
Files updated by the Take-Back program:
Client
master-file: Each file will be
updated with the amount chosen. The Trust balance will be reduced and a General
Receipt will be created.
Client
transaction-file: Each file
updated will have two transactions created.
General
Ledger master-file: The two relevant bank
accounts will be updated and the Client Ledger will be reduced.
General
Ledge transaction-file: For each
account updated, a transaction will be created.
Audit
trail: Each transaction will
create an entry in the Audit file. The entire update will share the same audit
number so that the transactions can be linked later if a payment needs to be
traced.