Office Manager

Smith Legal Search; Calgary; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith Legal Search seeks an experienced Office Manager to own the firm’s day-to-day operations in Calgary. You will bring solid accounting expertise and hands-on people management to support lawyers and staff in a collaborative, professional environment.

You will oversee finances, payroll, HR, onboarding, and coordination with external accountants, the law society, and insurers, ensuring smooth operations and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Prior law firm experience with accounting and human resources.
• Knowledge of provincial law society trust accounting requirements.
• Proficiency with legal accounting software and Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all firm finances, billing cycles, banking and reconciliations.
• Handle receipt/disbursement of funds, trust accounts, postings.
• Manage accounts payable and GST remittances; reconcile cards.
• Calculate lawyer payments tied to fee arrangements.
• Lead payroll, benefits, vacation tracking and staff supervision.
• Support recruitment and onboarding of new team members.
• Prepare documentation for external accountant and statements.
• Coordinate filings with law society and insurers.
• Liaise with building management, vendors and IT.
• Report to partners and support overall administration.

Skills

Accounting

HR management

Leadership

Communication

Tools

Unity/ESILaw

Excel

Word

Adobe

Job description

An established and pre-eminent law firm in Calgary is seeking a reliable and experienced Office Manager to take ownership of the firm’s day-to-day operations. With a strong reputation in the Calgary legal market and a sophisticated practice, the firm offers the calibre and expertise of a larger organization while maintaining a close-knit, collaborative environment and a genuine small-firm feel.

This is a strong opportunity for a self-directed professional who brings solid accounting expertise, hands-on people management experience, and a proactive approach to keeping the firm’s operations running smoothly. The successful candidate will play an important role within the firm, working closely with lawyers and staff across the organization and helping to support a professional, collegial workplace.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of the firm's finances, including managing the billing cycle, processing banking transactions, and completing monthly bank reconciliations
• Handle the receipt and disbursement of funds, including trust funds, and ensure disbursements and payments are accurately posted
• Manage accounts payable, prepare GST remittances, and reconcile and post credit card statements
• Calculate lawyer payments tied to fee arrangements
• Lead the human resources function — running payroll and benefits, tracking vacation and sick time, and providing day-to-day supervision of administrative staff
• Support recruitment and onboarding of new team members
• Prepare supporting documentation for the firm's external accountant ahead of financial statement preparation
• Coordinate required filings and payments with the governing law society and the firm's insurers
• Serve as the primary liaison with building management, vendors, and suppliers
• Work alongside IT consultants to ensure office equipment, technology, and software platforms remain current and well maintained
• Report to the partners and assist with the broader administration of the practice

Qualifications

• Prior law firm experience in a comparable role, with a strong emphasis on accounting and human resources
• Working knowledge of provincial law society trust accounting requirements
• Demonstrated proficiency with legal accounting software (e.g., Unity/ESILaw), Excel, Word, and Adobe
• A self-starter who takes initiative and works effectively with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication and leadership skills