Controller

Position Summary

The Controller will oversee the firms day-to-day accounting operations financial reporting budgeting cash flow management and compliance functions. This role requires a CPA with strong technical accounting expertise leadership skills and experience managing financial operations in a law firm professional services firm or similarly complex business environment.

The ideal candidate understands the importance of accuracy confidentiality compliance and timely reporting in a legal services environment including trust accounting case cost tracking settlement disbursements vendor management and operating account oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

Oversee all accounting operations including general ledger accounts payable accounts receivable payroll coordination bank reconciliations and month-end/year-end close.

Prepare timely and accurate monthly quarterly and annual financial statements.

Provide financial analysis KPIs cash flow reports and profitability insights to firm leadership.

Manage annual budgeting forecasting and variance analysis.

Monitor revenue expenses case costs marketing spend and operating margins.

Law Firm Accounting & Compliance

Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards tax requirements and law firm financial regulations.

Oversee client trust/IOLTA accounting where applicable ensuring strict compliance with state bar rules.

Manage settlement accounting lien payments case expense reimbursements and disbursement processes.

Maintain accurate tracking of case costs and advanced client expenses.

Develop and enforce financial policies procedures and internal controls.

Leadership & Process Improvement

Lead train and develop accounting and finance team members.

Improve accounting workflows reporting processes systems and controls.

Partner with operations intake case management and leadership teams to support firm growth.

Identify opportunities to improve profitability reduce risk and increase financial visibility.

Support implementation or optimization of accounting payroll case management and reporting systems.

Tax Audit & External Relationships

Coordinate with external tax advisors auditors banks lenders insurance brokers and other financial partners.

Oversee preparation of tax-related documentation and support annual tax filings.

Manage banking relationships and support financing credit line and treasury management needs.

Ensure compliance with payroll tax sales/use tax 1099 and other reporting requirements.

Qualifications :

Required Qualifications

Active CPA license required.

Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance or related field required.

7 years of progressive accounting or finance experience.

3 years in a controller assistant controller accounting manager or similar leadership role.

Strong knowledge of GAAP financial reporting internal controls budgeting and cash flow management.

Experience with trust/IOLTA accounting law firm accounting professional services or case-cost accounting strongly preferred.

Proficiency with accounting systems such as QuickBooks NetSuite Sage Intacct or similar platforms.

Advanced Excel skills and comfort building financial models reports and dashboards.

Strong leadership communication organization and problem-solving skills.

High level of integrity discretion and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in a personal injury plaintiff-side or contingency-fee law firm.

Familiarity with legal case management systems such as Filevine Litify SmartAdvocate Needles Clio or similar platforms.

Experience managing settlement disbursement workflows and client cost reimbursements.

Experience scaling accounting operations in a growing multi-office firm.

Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.

Core Competencies

Financial accuracy and attention to detail.

Strong judgment and ethical decision-making.

Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Process-driven mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.

Leadership presence and ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.

Comfort working in a fast-paced high-volume legal environment.

Additional Information :

• Medical dental & vision
• Hospital plans
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Company paid Basic Life and AD&D as well as voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Company paid short and long-term disability
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance
• Time Off/Leave(PTO Allegis Group Paid Family Leave Parental Leave

Join Our Team

At The Ward Law Group every role contributes to changing lives.

If youre looking for an opportunity to grow your litigation career maximize client recoveries and work alongside a high-performing legal team wed love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of a team committed to excellence accountability and changing livesone client at a time.

The Ward Law Group is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at The Ward Law Group via-email the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from The Ward Law Group HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of The Ward Law Group. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by The Ward Law Group as a result of the referral or through other means.

At The Ward Law Group we recognize our people are our strength. We are an equal opportunity (M/F/Disability/Veterans) and consider all applications without regard to race gender sexual orientation gender identity age color religion national origin veteran status disability genetic information or any other status protected by applicable law. We value our people their varying perspectives and are committed to fostering an environment where they can bring their whole selves to work.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 employment is contingent upon verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States. All persons hired will be required to complete Form I-9 and provide acceptable documentation as required by law.

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Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time