Start Date: As soon as possible
Pay: Salary $200,000 - $225,000 + Discretionary Bonus (5% - 10%)
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Job Overview:
We seek a Financial Controller to oversee all financial and accounting operations for an expanding legal services firm.
The Financial Controller will manage the financial and trust accounting functions, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with all relevant rules, including State Bar trust requirements. This role will lead internal reporting, supervise a growing accounting team, and partner with senior leadership on forecasting, audits, and process improvement.
This is a high-accountability position at a fast-moving firm that expects precision, professionalism, and ownership. The environment is deadline-driven, complex, and highly regulated — and ideal for a seasoned finance leader with deep law firm or contingency-based experience.
Schedule and Shift:
Primary Job Responsibilities:
- Verify and review all insurance documents.
- Manage daily accounting operations: A/P, A/R, payroll, GL, and month-end close
- Prepare financial statements and reports within seven business days of close.
- Partner with CFO on budgets, forecasts, and cash flow strategy
- Oversee compliance with GAAP, tax law, and internal policies
- Coordinate audits, tax filings, and regulatory reviews
- Maintain internal controls to ensure the integrity of the firm's financial data
- Oversee all client trust accounts in compliance with State Bar rules
- Ensure timely handling of settlements, liens, disbursements, and third-party payments
- Monitor trust accounts daily to prevent co-mingling, overdrafts, or misallocations
- Reconcile trust ledgers monthly and resolve discrepancies
- Maintain audit-ready documentation for each client file
- Supervise and mentor accounting staff
- Collaborate with operations, case managers, and legal teams
- Implement systems and policies to improve financial workflow and reporting
- Assist CFO in producing KPI dashboards and ad hoc analysis
Qualification:
- The ideal candidate likes a quiet, non-conversational environment
- Bachelor's in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA license required (active or inactive)
- 12+ years of accounting experience with 3+ years in a leadership role
- Prior experience in a law firm, personal injury firm, or contingency-based business model
- Deep knowledge of trust accounting regulations and hands-on trust account management
- Advanced skills in Excel and accounting systems (QuickBooks or similar)
- Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills
- Comfortable in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment
Benefits:
- Base Salary: $200K–$225K DOE
- Bonus: 5–10% performance-based
- Full medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- Supportive leadership and professional development programs