Controller

The-Ward-Law-Group,-P; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

The Ward Law Group in Miami, FL seeks an experienced Controller to oversee day-to-day accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance. A CPA with strong technical accounting skills and leadership experience in a law firm or similarly complex environment is required.

The ideal candidate will manage trust accounting, case costs, vendor relationships, and internal controls while partnering with operations to support firm growth and profitability.

Qualifications

• Must be a CPA with strong technical accounting expertise.
• 7+ years progressive accounting or finance experience.
• 3+ years in a controller/leadership role in a professional services setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting operations including GL, AP/AR, payroll coordination, and close processes.
• Prepare timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Provide financial analysis, KPIs, cash flow reports, and profitability insights to leadership.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and law firm financial regulations, including trust accounting.

Skills

CPA

Law firm accounting

GAAP

Leadership

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

QuickBooks

NetSuite

Sage Intacct

Excel

Job description

Join an Award-Winning Personal Injury Law Firm

At The Ward Law Group, our mission is simple:

Changing Lives. One Client at a Time

Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for consecutive years, we are committed to delivering exceptional legal representation while creating an environment where talented professionals can grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact every day.

We believe our people are our greatest asset. We foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-accountability culture where every team member is empowered to make informed decisions, continuously improve, and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Every role contributes directly to helping injured individuals navigate one of the most challenging times in their lives while supporting the continued growth and success of our firm.

Our Core Values

Faith– We act with integrity, honesty, and purpose in everything we do.

Accountability– We take ownership of our work, our commitments, and the results we deliver.

Leadership– We lead by example, inspire others, embrace continuous improvement, and develop high-performing teams.

Loyalty– We build lasting relationships through trust, respect, and dedication to our clients, teammates, and community.

Service to Our Clients– We are committed to delivering compassionate, responsive, and exceptional service that maximizes every client's opportunity for success.

Service to Our Teammates– We foster a culture of collaboration, respect, support, and shared success where every team member has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Service to Our Community– We believe in making a positive impact beyond the workplace by serving and strengthening the communities where we live and work.

If you are passionate about helping injured clients, thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven environment, and are committed to delivering exceptional client service while continuously growing your career, we invite you to join The Ward Law Group and help us change lives—one client at a time.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Controller will oversee the firm’s day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, and compliance functions. This role requires a CPA with strong technical accounting expertise, leadership skills, and experience managing financial operations in a law firm, professional services firm, or similarly complex business environment.

The ideal candidate understands the importance of accuracy, confidentiality, compliance, and timely reporting in a legal services environment, including trust accounting, case cost tracking, settlement disbursements, vendor management, and operating account oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, bank reconciliations, and month-end/year-end close.
• Prepare timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Provide financial analysis, KPIs, cash flow reports, and profitability insights to firm leadership.
• Manage annual budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, case costs, marketing spend, and operating margins.

Law Firm Accounting & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, and law firm financial regulations.
• Oversee client trust/IOLTA accounting, where applicable, ensuring strict compliance with state bar rules.
• Manage settlement accounting, lien payments, case expense reimbursements, and disbursement processes.
• Maintain accurate tracking of case costs and advanced client expenses.
• Develop and enforce financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead, train, and develop accounting and finance team members.
• Improve accounting workflows, reporting processes, systems, and controls.
• Partner with operations, intake, case management, and leadership teams to support firm growth.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, reduce risk, and increase financial visibility.
• Support implementation or optimization of accounting, payroll, case management, and reporting systems.

Tax, Audit & External Relationships

• Coordinate with external tax advisors, auditors, banks, lenders, insurance brokers, and other financial partners.
• Oversee preparation of tax-related documentation and support annual tax filings.
• Manage banking relationships and support financing, credit line, and treasury management needs.
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax, sales/use tax, 1099, and other reporting requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• 3+ years in a controller, assistant controller, accounting manager, or similar leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, and cash flow management.
• Experience with trust/IOLTA accounting, law firm accounting, professional services, or case-cost accounting strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with accounting systems such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, or similar platforms.
• Advanced Excel skills and comfort building financial models, reports, and dashboards.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a personal injury, plaintiff-side, or contingency-fee law firm.
• Familiarity with legal case management systems such as Filevine, Litify, SmartAdvocate, Needles, Clio, or similar platforms.
• Experience managing settlement disbursement workflows and client cost reimbursements.
• Experience scaling accounting operations in a growing multi-office firm.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.

Core Competencies

• Financial accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong judgment and ethical decision-making.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Process-driven mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Leadership presence and ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, high-volume legal environment.

Additional Information

• Hospital plans
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Company paid Basic Life and AD&D as well as voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Company paid short and long-term disability
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance
• Time Off/Leave(PTO, Allegis Group Paid Family Leave, Parental Leave

Join Our Team

At The Ward Law Group, every role contributes to changing lives.

If you're looking for an opportunity to grow your litigation career, maximize client recoveries, and work alongside a high-performing legal team, we'd love to hear from you.

The Ward Law Group is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at The Ward Law Group via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from The Ward Law Group HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of The Ward Law Group. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by The Ward Law Group as a result of the referral or through other means.

At The Ward Law Group, we recognize our people are our strength. We are an equal opportunity (M/F/Disability/Veterans) and consider all applications without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable law. We value our people, their varying perspectives and are committed to fostering an environment where they can bring their whole selves to work.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment is contingent upon verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States. All persons hired will be required to complete Form I-9 and provide acceptable documentation as required by law.

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