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Staff Accountant
The Staff Accountant supports the monthly financial close process in the Accounting Seed platform and ensures accurate, compliant accounting across the firm’s operations. This role is particularly suited for professionals with law firm accounting experience, including knowledge of WIP (work in progress), client billing, and Trust Accounting. The Staff Accountant collaborates closely with AR, AP, and the Director of Finance to deliver timely and accurate financial reporting.
Key Responsibilities
- General Accounting
- Prepare and post journal entries (accruals, amortizations, and reclassifications).
- Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts on a monthly basis.
- Assist in preparing balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.
- Ensure transactions adhere to GAAP and legal industry accounting standards.
Specific Accounting Responsibilities
- Ensure all eligible WIP (billable time and expenses) is billed and submitted to carriers through email or e-billing systems (e.g., CounselLink, TyMetrix, Legal Tracker).
- Conduct monthly aged WIP reviews to confirm accuracy and billing readiness.
- Support trust and client fund accounting to comply with legal ethics and firm policies.
- Ensure unapplied cash is identified and applied wherever possible.
- Work closely with attorneys and billing staff to resolve billing and payment discrepancies.
Month-End Close
- Complete assigned tasks from the Accounting Seed monthly close checklist.
- Review all financial transactions for completeness and accuracy before close.
- Perform bank and credit card reconciliations.
- Collaborate with AR and AP teams to ensure subledgers reconcile to the GL.
- Partner with the Director of Finance to analyze variances and finalize adjustments.
- Close accounting periods in Accounting Seed after review and approval.
Accounts Payable & Receivable
- Review vendor bills and payments for accuracy, coding, and compliance.
- Reconcile AR and AP subledgers to the general ledger monthly.
- Assist with collections and cash applications as needed.
Financial Reporting & Audit Support
- · Generate, review, and analyze financial statements for accuracy.
- · Assist in preparing reports for management, auditors, and partners.
- · Provide audit schedules and reconciliations as requested.
Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- 5 years of accounting experience, ideally in a law firm or professional services environment.
- Working knowledge of trust accounting rules, client cost recovery, and timekeeping systems.
- Proficiency in Accounting Seed (Salesforce-based ERP), Excel, and law firm billing/e-billing systems.
- Solid understanding of GAAP and month-end close best practices.
- Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Excellent communication, organization, and time management abilities.
Reporting Structure
Reports to: Director of Finance
Collaborates with: Accounts Receivable Staff, Accounts Payable Staff, Attorneys, and Billing Specialists
Performance Metrics
- Accuracy and completeness of monthly reconciliations.
- Timely completion of month-end close deliverables.
- Responsiveness to billing and WIP deadlines.
- Compliance with firm policies and legal accounting standards.
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