Controller

CFS; Cranberry Township (Butler County); On-site; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CFS in Cranberry, PA is seeking an experienced Controller to oversee the firm’s accounting and financial operations. The role partners with leadership, attorneys, and admin teams to maintain financial health and ensure compliance with IOLTA/trust accounting requirements.

The ideal candidate brings extensive accounting management experience in professional services, strong attention to detail, and expertise in legal billing, WIP, and distributions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience.
• Prior Controller, Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, or similar leadership experience.
• Experience within a law firm or professional services environment strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of legal billing, WIP, collections, and trust/IOLTA accounting preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Experience with accounting software and financial reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the firm's day-to-day accounting and financial operations.
• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes.
• Prepare and analyze financial statements, management reports, and financial forecasts.
• Maintain accurate general ledger accounts and oversee account reconciliations.
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and billing functions.
• Oversee attorney and client billing processes, including reviewing WIP, collections, and outstanding receivables.
• Monitor cash flow and provide financial reporting and analysis to firm leadership.
• Oversee IOLTA/client trust accounting and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and firm policies.
• Manage trust account reconciliations and client funds activity.
• Support attorney compensation, partner distributions, and other financial allocations.
• Assist with annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Develop and maintain internal controls and accounting policies.
• Coordinate with external accountants and auditors as needed.
• Prepare information required for tax filings, audits, and other regulatory requirements.
• Monitor operating expenses and identify opportunities to improve financial processes and controls.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to firm leadership.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting/finance staff.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Accounting software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Accounting software suites

Job description

CONTROLLER

Cranberry, PA

$105,000- $120,000

A well-established and growing law firm is seeking an experienced Controller to oversee the firm's accounting and financial operations. This position will play a key role in maintaining the financial health of the organization while partnering closely with firm leadership, attorneys, and administrative teams.

The ideal candidate will have strong accounting and financial management experience, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a professional services or law firm environment. Experience with legal accounting, trust accounting, attorney billing, and partner compensation/distributions is highly valued.

Overview Of The Controller Role

• Oversee the firm's day-to-day accounting and financial operations


• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes


• Prepare and analyze financial statements, management reports, and financial forecasts


• Maintain accurate general ledger accounts and oversee account reconciliations


• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and billing functions


• Oversee attorney and client billing processes, including reviewing WIP, collections, and outstanding receivables


• Monitor cash flow and provide financial reporting and analysis to firm leadership


• Oversee IOLTA/client trust accounting and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and firm policies


• Manage trust account reconciliations and client funds activity


• Support attorney compensation, partner distributions, and other financial allocations


• Assist with annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning


• Develop and maintain internal controls and accounting policies


• Coordinate with external accountants and auditors as needed


• Prepare information required for tax filings, audits, and other regulatory requirements


• Monitor operating expenses and identify opportunities to improve financial processes and controls


• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to firm leadership


• Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting/finance staff


• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive client, attorney, compensation, and firm financial information


• Identify opportunities to improve accounting systems, reporting, and overall financial processes

Preferred Qualifications For The Controlller Role

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field


• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience


• Prior Controller, Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, or similar leadership experience


• Experience within a law firm or professional services environment strongly preferred


• Knowledge of legal billing, WIP, collections, and trust/IOLTA accounting preferred


• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting


• Experience with accounting software and financial reporting systems