Job Description

Director of Finance

Firm Overview

Ellis George LLP is recognized as one of the top litigation and trial firms in the country, with offices in Century City, New York City and Washington, DC. Throughout its over 39-year history, EG has developed a reputation as a firm composed of seasoned trial lawyers who have successfully tried hundreds of cases to judges and juries nationwide.

Role Overview

Ellis George LLP seeks a Director of Finance to oversee all aspects of the Firm’s financial operations and functions. Based in Century City, this is a senior administrative role that will report to the Managing Partner and work closely with the Firm’s Administrator to support the Firm’s financial performance. The Director of Finance is the lead professional within the Firm’s Accounting Department, providing counsel, leadership, training, support, feedback, and encouragement to a team of five business professionals.

Role Responsibilities

· Direct and maintain responsibility for the financial functions of the Firm, acting as a key strategic business advisor.

· Perform timely and complex financial analyses to provide input into the Firm’s business transactions and strategic initiatives.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills along with an aptitude for working with numbers and a team player attitude as both a leader and team member.

· Lead and manage a professional accounting staff fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

· Anticipate the Firm’s needs, set priorities, and organize Accounting Department workflow to ensure the Accounting team meets deadlines for prebill issuance, client billing statements, preparation of accruals, and posting of payments.

· Efficiently use time and work professionally and proficiently under tight deadlines in a fast-paced ever-changing work environment while successfully prioritizing and adapting to changing demands, including response to ad hoc requests from partners, attorneys, and clients.

· Evaluate, implement, and support the effectiveness of internal financial controls.

· Oversee and participate in cash management, billing, e-billing platform maintenance, collections, vendor payments, employee expense reimbursements, bank wires, and the ACH process.

· Oversee and maintain positive working relationships with key financial vendor relationships, including but not limited to relationships with Firm banks, financial audit firms, and tax return preparers, and evaluate the continuation of those relationships as appropriate.

· Maintain financial records and historical reports.

· Assist Firm Administrator with and participate in budgeting, payroll, internal and external audits, and retirement plan issues.

· Ensure monthly account reconciliations, trust accounting, and credit card reconciliation are performed and accurately reflect activity.

· Review GL allocations of payroll, employee and partner benefits, and partner draws.

· Manage new client and matter opening process, maintenance of client billing data, and review and interpret outside counsel guidelines and communicate needed practices to attorneys.

· Prepare and distribute monthly partnership and management financial reports, including productivity and financial statements.

· Evaluate effectiveness of the monthly financial report package and recommend changes as needed.

Experience & Leadership Characteristics

· A minimum of 8 to 10 years of accounting and people management experience, preferably in a mid-size or boutique law firm setting.

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with a focus in Accounting or Finance.

· Licensure as a certified public accountant preferred.

· Strong technical accounting knowledge, including an understanding of GAAP, tax requirements of governmental agencies, and general auditing procedures.

· Demonstrated understanding of law firm billing/accounting system software such as ProLaw and Matter Expert, as well as strong Excel skills.

· Strong leadership and management skills.

· Excellent people skills including the ability to work with and lead a diverse team.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills and meticulous attention to detail. Must be able to provide clear, precise, and well-substantiated explanations of financial events and trends to firm leadership and guidance to Accounting team members.

· Comfortable and skillful with hands-on approach in situations where tasks and analyses cannot be delegated or demonstration is needed to teach team members.

· Ability to bring and manage meaningful change and participate in process improvement.

Salary Range: $200,000.00 to $250,000.00 commensurate upon experience.

For qualified applicants, please send your resume with cover letter and salary expectations to hr@ellisgeorge.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $200,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Office

Ability to Commute:

• Century City, CA 90067 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Century City, CA 90067: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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