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Controller (Law Firm)
Atlanta, GA · LegalController (Law Firm)
A large international law firm, is seeking a Controller for their Finance Department in their Atlanta office. The Controller is directly responsible for the leadership and management of the day-to-day operation of the firm’s accounting, accounts payable and trust accounting functions. This position is responsible for the firm’s accounting function, including the development, documentation and implementation of accounting policies and procedures. The Controller is also responsible for documenting control exceptions and developing and implementing process improvements, including the timely execution of internal controls to ensure that accounting records and published financials are accurate. This role manages the annual financial statement audit and provides audit support to the external CPA firm.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Required:
A large international law firm, is seeking a Controller for their Finance Department in their Atlanta office. The Controller is directly responsible for the leadership and management of the day-to-day operation of the firm’s accounting, accounts payable and trust accounting functions. This position is responsible for the firm’s accounting function, including the development, documentation and implementation of accounting policies and procedures. The Controller is also responsible for documenting control exceptions and developing and implementing process improvements, including the timely execution of internal controls to ensure that accounting records and published financials are accurate. This role manages the annual financial statement audit and provides audit support to the external CPA firm.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Manage preparation of monthly financial statements and review for accuracy and completeness.
- Direct preparation and review of general ledger activity, account reconciliations, and actual/budget variances.
- Manage fixed assets activities to ensure accurate general ledger and fixed asset schedules for month and year-end closing, recording depreciation, and accounting for disposals.
- Lead and direct the work of two accountants.
- Train and develop accountants through delegation of responsibilities where appropriate, training, and timely performance feedback.
- Review and monitor reconciliations (including unreconciled balances) and report upon regularly to highlight the need and risk related to those issues, as well as any improvements or issues that need to be addressed as a root cause.
- Assist with the administration of firm bank operating accounts, to include releasing wires and signing checks.
- Execute transactions between the operating, money market and brokerage accounts to invest excess cash timely.
- Prepare and submit schedules/reports required under credit line agreements. Monitor compliance with loan covenants.
- Supporting accounts payable function, including accounting issues or process challenges.
- Providing timely and accurate attorney and staff reimbursements and vendor and third-party payments.
- Meeting the firm’s rush check and funds returned to clients’ requirements.
- Ensuring proper posting and accounting for accounts payable ledger entries and associated reconciliations, quality, and internal control.
- Compliance with related tax requirements.
- Controlling the firm’s foreign currency transactions.
- Monitoring and reporting on compliance regarding the firm’s accounts payable policies and procedures.
- Approving expense reports and invoices to ensure proper compliance and accounting.
- Managing execution of our trust accounting by state to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
- Periodic reporting of trust transaction activity for attorneys and meeting with attorneys at least annually to review the accounting, validate accuracy of trust account balances and answer questions.
- Monitoring and developing procedures, policies, and processes to improve operation, internal controls, customer service and support.
- Enforcing trust accounting policies and procedures.
- Manage the annual financial statement audit, including working with external CPAs, preparation, and supervision of preparation of work papers and responding to audit inquiries.
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
- Certified Public Accountant
- 5+ years of experience, preferably in a law firm or professional services environment.
- Minimum of 2 years supervisory experience.
- Strong Microsoft Excel background, including V-lookup, pivot tables, etc.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (data manipulation, advanced formulas, pivot tables, vlookups, etc.)
- Ability to provide leadership, perform as a team leader and operate well under pressure.
- Ability to integrate departmental needs with the needs of the other departments and the needs of the firm.
- Ability to organize, prioritize and delegate to ensure the smooth operation of the department.
- Ability to analyze, assess possible problems, prioritize concerns, and make decisions.
- Ability to motivate and empower others toward success.
- Full awareness of and willingness to abide by firm’s policies, in particular those regarding confidentiality of financial information and securities trading.
- Ability to adapt schedule to changing workload requirements and lead by personal example.
- Ability to interface with partners, associates, clients, vendors, directors, managers, and support staff.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Craig Fleck
Vice President
Chelsea Search Group
1777 Laurelwood Way
Oceanside, CA 92056
Oceanside, CA 92056
858-829-7747
cfleck@chelsearecruiters.com
cfleck@chelsearecruiters.com