Assistant Controller

Eversheds Sutherland; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

PTO

Merit bonuses

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP in Washington, DC is seeking an Assistant Controller to join the Accounting & Finance management team. The role will oversee day‑to‑day accounting operations, financial reporting, and month‑end and year‑end closes, ensuring internal controls and accuracy across the firm.

You will supervise a small team, coordinate with outside tax and audit firms, assist with audits and tax activities, and contribute to budgets and forecasts.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of accounting experience with supervisory experience.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach, and develop staff; establish clear responsibilities and promote accountability.
• Oversee general ledger, reconciliations, journal entries, and internal controls.
• Coordinate with billing, accounts payable, cash receipting, and payroll teams for accurate reporting.
• Oversee monthly and year-end closing; review financial statements for accuracy and consistency.
• Manage fixed asset system including acquisitions, depreciation, disposals, and CIP records.
• Assist in partner accounting activities including income distributions and reconciliations.
• Coordinate and manage annual financial statement audits and related schedules.
• Support operating expense/capital budgets and forecasting requests.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal communication

Multi-tasking

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Master’s degree and/or CPA

Tools

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

Job description

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is part of a global law practice providing legal services to a broad range of clients, from small and mid-sized businesses to the world's leading multinational organizations. The firm combines deep local knowledge with global reach, supporting clients across industries and jurisdictions. Eversheds Sutherland is recognized for its collaborative culture, commitment to client service, and delivery of practical, commercially informed legal solutions.

Position Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Controller in the Washington DC office at Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP. We are searching for someone who wants to be a valued contributor and member of a talented and dynamic team of lawyers, paralegals and business professionals.

The Assistant Controller is part of the Accounting & Finance management team and will report directly to the Controller. This position assists with oversight of day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting and compliance reporting, monthly and year-end closing, internal controls, fixed assets, partner accounting, audit, tax, accounts payable, and compliance processes, ad hoc reporting, special projects and other areas assigned. The Assistant Controller will manage a team of 2 or more personnel and work closely with outside tax and audit accounting firms, along with other members of the Accounting and Finance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach, and develop staff; establish clear responsibilities, review work, support cross-training, and promote consistent performance and accountability.
• Oversee general ledger and balance sheet accounts for accuracy and visibility; review and approve reconciliations, journal entries, invoice and expense requests, and related activities, including enhanced controls within delegated authority.
• Coordinate with billing, accounts payable, cash receipting, payroll teams and others to facilitate and ensure accurate financial data and reporting.
• Oversee and manage the monthly and year-end closing; review financial statements for accuracy, completeness, and consistency; investigate and resolve discrepancies timely.
• Manage fixed asset system and accounting to include fixed asset acquisitions, depreciation and disposal records, as well as any construction-in-progress records, processes and reporting.
• Assist in partner accounting activities, including income distributions, paid-in capital accounting and reconciliations.
• Coordinate and manage the annual financial statement audit, including timeline and milestones, as well as any other compliance audits, including preparation of all schedules, information requests and auditor communications.
• Participate in the annual operating expense/capital budget and periodic forecast requests for accounts or areas of oversight.
• Assist in preparing and/or coordinating annual, quarterly and otherwise required taxes, including preparation of K-1s, composite/pass-through entity/withholding state elections & returns, tax residency certificates, personal property tax, and like activities.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, firm policies and external audit requirements and make recommendations to Controller for enhancements.
• Create, maintain and update internal documentation, process guidelines and other instructions, as needed or requested.
• Participate in the implementation of new and/or improved technologies to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the department and areas of oversight.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of accounting experience and 2 years of supervisory experience
• Must be highly skilled in handling financial and numeric data with proven analytical, mathematical, and critical thinking skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Must be highly skilled in handling financial and numeric data with proven analytical, mathematical, and critical thinking skills
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, conventions, and standards
• Meticulous, organized and ability to read, analyze, and process complex financial statements and documents.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize workloads.
• Enjoys a dynamic environment and seeks to add value.
• Ability to manage and develop others.
• Must possess discretion in working with confidential data.
• Excellent digital literacy skills, technical dexterity, and advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite with specific proficiency in Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Law firm or professional services experience
• Prior experience with Aderant or Sage systems is highly preferred

Education

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in accounting. Master’s Degree and/or CPA accreditation strongly preferred.

This is a hybrid role and the salary ranges for this position vary depending on the geographic location and other factors such as experience, internal equity, market data, and job-related considerations. The compensation for this position is $140,000 - $160,000, with offers contingent upon the various factors. The firm’s compensation strategy includes not just a base salary but also comprehensive benefits such as healthcare, paid time off, discretionary merit bonuses, life and disability insurance, retirement plans and tailored learning opportunities.

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our Firm and in the larger legal profession. We believe that diverse skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger firm. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP maintains a policy of affording all employees and applicants equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression or transgender status), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, domestic violence victim status, ancestry, amnesty, citizenship status, ethnicity, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation will not be tolerated in any of the Firm's offices or any other work-related setting. Qualified individuals with a disability may request reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position or to enable them to perform the essential functions of a position for which they are otherwise qualified. EEO.