Controller

Mendes & Mount LLP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable law firm in New York City seeks a Controller to oversee all accounting operations and to manage financial reporting and compliance. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and analytical skills, as well as extensive experience in a law firm environment. This senior role involves strategic planning and collaboration with executive leadership to ensure the financial health of the firm.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid maternity leave

Paid paternity leave

Disability insurance

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience in a law firm required.
• Senior-level role (e.g., Controller, Assistant Controller).

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations and financial reporting.
• Supervise accounting staff and ensure timely performance.
• Lead year-end audit process with external auditors.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Elite 3E accounting systems

Excel

Paycom

Job description

2 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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Mendes & Mount, LLP is seeking a highly qualified and detail-oriented Controller to lead the Accounting Department at a fast-paced law firm in New York City. The Controller is the firm’s top financial and managerial accountant, responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, managing the firm’s financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with applicable tax and regulatory requirements. This position plays a vital role in advising executive leadership, including the Executive Director, and contributes to strategic planning through the delivery of accurate financial analysis and reporting.

The Controller supervises the Accounting team and is directly responsible for general ledger management, financial reporting, budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, escrow accounting, tax filings, audit preparation, and the implementation of best practices and internal controls.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead the month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Maintain and monitor the firm’s general ledger using the Elite Enterprise Accounting System.
• Develop and distribute a comprehensive monthly financial reporting package, including but not limited to:
• Net income and profitability reports
• WIP and A/R reports
• Billing statistics and timekeeper performance metrics
• Balance sheet and P&L
• Variance analysis (vs. prior year and budget)
• Custom attorney and client reports

Department Oversight & Management

• Supervise and manage accounting staff, ensuring timely and accurate performance of daily accounting functions.
• Oversee daily reconciliation of operating and escrow bank accounts and ensure proper posting of all transactions.
• Approve and release all outgoing wire transfers (settlement payments, payroll, vendor payments, etc.).
• Manage the firm’s cash flow and ensure timely vendor payments while monitoring fluctuations.
• Maintain petty cash and ensure controls are in place.

Budgeting & Strategic Analysis

• Assist the Executive Director in developing the firm’s annual operating budget, including:
• Revenue projections by department
• Compensation planning
• Departmental and firm-wide expense allocations
• Break-even and profitability analyses for groups and individual timekeepers
• Support long-term planning and prepare custom reports (e.g., Five-Year Partner Analysis).

Payroll & Inter-Office Coordination

• Oversee and reconcile payroll for NY and London offices, including bonuses, tax filings, and Paycom reporting.
• Coordinate inter-office funding and reporting between New York and London operations.

Tax & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal tax requirements, including:
• Sales and Use Tax
• Commercial Rent Tax
• Unincorporated Business Tax
• Issue 1099s and file appropriate reports with the IRS.
• File Quarterly and Annual QSS Surveys as required by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
• Lead the year-end audit process in collaboration with external auditors.
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, and partner-specific financial reports and K-1s.
• Maintain relationships with external auditors, banks, and financial institutions.
• Manage and maintain 3E Accounting software, including setting up new accounts and training users.

Reporting & Analysis

• Produce recurring and ad-hoc financial reports for:
• Partner profitability and statistics (PERC reports)
• Associate hours and bonus eligibility
• Letters of credit, insurance applications, and sublease occupancy
• Top clients by billing and collections
• Any custom or executive reporting needs

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA preferred but not required)
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2–4 years in a senior-level role (e.g., Controller, Assistant Controller, or Accounting Manager)
• Experience in a law firm required

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Elite 3E accounting systems required
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, financial modeling, and VLOOKUPs
• Familiarity with payroll systems (e.g., Paycom)

Key Attributes

• Strong leadership, organizational, and analytical skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and offices
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen

Annual salary range: $200,000- $250,000

The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future.

When determining base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, budget, and internal equity).

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance and Legal

• Industries

  Law Practice

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Mendes & Mount LLP by 2x

Inferred from the description for this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid maternity leave

Paid paternity leave

Disability insurance

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