Audit Letter Analyst

Cooley LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,460 - 66,124; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

40-hour work week

PTO 20 days annually

Job summary

Cooley LLP is seeking an Audit Letter Analyst to support the Risk & Compliance team in Chicago. The role focuses on responding to audit letter requests for clients and ensuring responses meet ABA guidelines and firm policies.

Responsibilities include reviewing requests, coordinating with attorneys, drafting responses, and maintaining accurate time entries. The position requires 3+ years of law firm experience, strong organization, and proficiency with Microsoft Office, iManage, and related tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of law firm experience in relevant roles such as conflicts, legal research, or paralegal support for audit letter processes.
• Familiarity with ABA policies and corporate law practice helpful.
• Ability to work overtime as needed.

Responsibilities

• Review audit letter requests for ABA and firm policy compliance.
• Review prior disclosures and documentation for any concerns.
• Track poll responses and communicate with attorneys on affirmatives.
• Draft audit letter responses for year-end or updates.
• Prepare documentation supporting audit letter responses for attorney review.
• Assist with training and policy updates for audit letter processes.
• Ensure accurate entry of billable and non-billable time; review Intapp entries.
• Assist with monthly reporting and special projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Overtime availability

Microsoft Office

iManage

ABA guidelines familiarity

Corporate law understanding

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Paralegal certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

iManage

Intapp Open

Contract Express

Job description

Audit Letter Analyst

We are seeking an Audit Letter Analyst to join the Risk & Compliance team.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Audit Letter Team Manager, the Audit Letter Analyst will work with attorneys to respond to and monitor audit letter requests for the firm's clients. The Analyst will oversee the process ensuring all requests are completed in a timely manner and in compliance with ABA guidelines and accordance with firm policies.

Position Responsibilities

• Review incoming audit letter requests to ensure compliance with ABA guidelines and firm policies and procedures
• Review prior responses, accounting reports, engagement letters and/or other documentation to identify previous disclosures or any concerns
• Conduct timekeeper polls, track poll responses and communicate with attorneys regarding affirmative poll responses
• Draft audit letter responses for year-end letters and/or update letters for attorney review
• Prepare and present documentation supporting audit letter responses for attorney review
• Work with audit letter reviewer, responsible partner and Audit Letter Response Committee and others as needed to ensure responses satisfy firm policies, ABA guidelines, and any other applicable requirements
• Assist Audit Letter Response Committee with annual training of audit letter responses for attorneys
• Assist Audit Letter Response Committee with updating audit letter response policies and procedures
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of billable and non-billable time and review Intapp entries prior to month-end closing
• Assist with monthly team reporting and other special projects
• All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and Experience

Required

• Available to work overtime, as required
• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• 3+ years of law firm experience which could include experience in conflicts, legal research, or as a paralegal supporting the audit letter process
• Familiarity with Paragraph 5 of American Bar Association (ABA) Statement of Policy Regarding Lawyers' Responses to Auditors' Requests for Information
• Overall understanding of a corporate law practice

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree
• Proficiency in Intapp Open and Contract Express or similar programs
• Paralegal certificate
• Experience conducting legal and corporate research in a law firm environment

Competencies

• Superior organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
• Exemplary ability to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks and manage shifting priorities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Outstanding analytical and critical interpretation skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
• Ability to work within a team and collaborate
• High degree of professionalism and excellent judgment

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EOE.

The expected hourly pay range for this position with a work schedule of 40 hours per week is $33.00 - $48.00 ($68,640.00 - $99,840.00 annually). Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of Paid Time Off ("PTO") and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.