Job Description

Position Summary

The Controller will serve as a strategic partner to the executive leadership team, responsible for overseeing all financial and accounting functions of the firm. This individual will lead financial planning, budgeting, analysis, and reporting, while ensuring compliance with legal industry-specific financial requirements, including accounting, billing arrangements, and client fund management. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in law firm finance—ideally with an understanding of Intellectual Property practices—and is comfortable managing both strategic and hands-on responsibilities.

Essential Functions / Key Accountabilities

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a financial advisor to the Managing Partner and leadership team.
• Develop and implement long-term financial strategies aligned with the firm's goals.
• Conduct financial modeling and scenario planning for firm growth, new service lines, or practice areas.
• Lead the annual budget and quarterly reforecasting processes, including partner compensation models.

Accounting Operations

• Oversee day-to-day accounting activities, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, expense reimbursements, and month-end close.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and legal industry accounting standards.
• Manage the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial statements.
• Supervise trust accounting and ensure strict adherence to IOLTA rules and client fund segregation.

Billing & Collections Oversight

• Oversee billing operations, including time entry, invoice generation, and e-billing (particularly with clients in tech/pharma sectors).
• Work with IP docketing and case teams to ensure timely and accurate billable hour capture.
• Monitor collections and implement strategies to improve realization and reduce aging receivables.
• Develop and manage alternative fee arrangements (AFAs) and client budgets.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws, including sales and use tax related to IP matters.
• Coordinate with outside accountants/auditors for annual reviews, tax filings, and audits.
• Maintain internal controls and ensure financial and data integrity.
• Oversee compliance with law firm financial ethics rules and bar regulations.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Provide financial reports and dashboards to partners and department heads, including profitability by matter, client, and practice area.
• Analyze key performance indicators such as realization, utilization, leverage, and expense ratios.
• Generate custom reports for IP-specific financial insights (e.g., cost recovery for patent filings, annuity tracking, R&D credit eligibility).
• Support partner compensation and equity allocation analysis.

Team Leadership & Technology

• Lead and develop a small finance/accounting team including staff accountants, billing specialists, and AP clerks.
• Evaluate and optimize use of financial systems (e.g., Aderant, Elite 3E, ProLaw, or Clio).
• Collaborate with IT to ensure integration with IP docketing and practice management software.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA or MBA preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, with at least 3 years in a Controller or senior finance role within a law firm.
• Strong understanding of law firm operations, ideally within an IP-focused environment.
• Experience with IOLTA trust accounting and compliance.
• Familiarity with IP-specific billing structures and cost tracking (USPTO fees, PCT filings, annuities, etc. preferred.
• Proficiency in legal accounting and billing software (e.g., Aderant, Elite, ProLaw, Tabs3) preferred.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
• Experience with budgeting, financial planning, and KPI dashboards.

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