Controller

Law Offices of Liddle & Liddle, APC; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Law Offices of Liddle & Liddle, APC, a well-established, high-volume landlord-tenant litigation firm based in Glendora, CA, seeks an experienced Controller to lead financial operations and systems development.

The Controller will provide strategic direction, oversee daily transactional work with the accounting team, ensure trust account compliance, and drive revenue optimization for a large ongoing caseload.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• CPA certification strongly preferred.
• 7+ years progressive accounting experience; 3+ years in Controller roles.
• Experience with legal industry accounting (trust accounts, client billing, IOLTA) preferred.
• Proven track record implementing financial systems and process improvements.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks and Excel (advanced).
• Excellent communication for presenting financial information.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple initiatives.
• Experience with legal practice management software a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement financial management systems to improve record-keeping and revenue recovery.
• Audit firm financial records, payroll accuracy, client trust accounts, and credit card billing.
• Oversee and support the Accounting Manager in accounts payable/receivable.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports and analyses for management.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and California Bar trust regulations.
• Identify opportunities for improved financial efficiency and revenue optimization.
• Develop financial forecasting models and budgets.
• Establish internal controls for a high-volume legal environment.
• Coordinate with external CPA and auditors for tax preparation and audits.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends and profitability improvements.
• Support managing attorney with financial decision-making and strategic planning.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Independent work

Effective communication

High-volume transactions

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

CPA certification preferred

Tools

QuickBooks

Microsoft Excel (advanced)

Legal practice management software

Job description

Job Description

Controller

Job Description

Well-established, high-volume law firm with more than 1,000 active cases at any given time, seeking an experienced, strategic-minded Controller to lead our financial operations and systems development.

The Controller will provide oversight, strategic direction, and focus on big-picture financial optimization while our accounting department continues handling daily transactional work. The Controller must have experience and understanding with billing in QuickBooks to assist as needed.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement financial management systems to improve record-keeping, track case workload metrics, and maximize revenue recovery
• Conduct comprehensive audits of firm financial records, including payroll accuracy, client trust account compliance, and credit card billing to ensure complete cost and revenue capture
• Oversee and support the Accounting Manager in accounts payable and accounts receivable operations
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports and analysis for firm management
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and California State Bar requirements for law firm financial management, including trust account regulations
• Identify and execute opportunities for improved financial efficiency and revenue optimization
• Develop financial forecasting models and budgets
• Establish internal controls and best practices for a high-volume legal environment
• Coordinate with external CPA and auditors for tax preparation and annual audits
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improved profitability
• Support managing attorney with financial decision-making and strategic planning

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA certification strongly preferred
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience required3+ years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior financial management role required
• Experience with legal industry accounting strongly preferred (trust accounts, client billing, IOLTA compliance)
• Proven track record implementing financial systems and process improvements
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail
• Experience with high-volume transaction environments
• Proficiency with QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel (advanced Excel skills preferred)
• Excellent communication skills for presenting financial information to non-financial stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple strategic initiatives
• Experience with legal practice management software a plus

About Our Firm

The Law Offices of Liddle & Liddle is a well-established, high-volume landlord-tenant litigation firm based in Glendora, CA, with over 1,300 active cases. We specialize exclusively in landlord-tenant law, giving our team deep expertise in a focused practice area. As we continue to grow, we're building out the financial infrastructure to match — and this role is central to that effort.

Company Description

Liddle & Liddle was founded by Layne and George Liddle over 35 years ago and the firm has become well known in the field of Landlord-Tenant law for being successful and reliable. Our office represents everyone from small landlords, to major corporations, to management companies, to indigent tenants. We handle all aspects of the disputes that arise between a landlord and tenant. The firm has continued to grow and evolve with the changing legal landscape. We are looking for candidates as we expand to meet the increased demand for our services.