Controller

Friedman Williams; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Friedman Williams seeks a seasoned Controller to lead the firm's accounting and financial operations in Washington, DC. The role demands hands-on leadership, strong process controls, and close collaboration with firm leadership on budgeting and strategic planning.

The ideal candidate will manage multiple offices or international entities, drive month-end closes, and develop a high-performing team while maintaining strict policies and effective financial reporting.

Qualifications

• 815 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Proven experience managing, mentoring, and developing accounting professionals.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate a team and establish accountability.
• Demonstrated experience with law firm accounting and financial operations.
• Elite 3E experience strongly preferred.
• International or multi-office accounting experience highly desirable, including exposure to foreign offices, multi-currency transactions, intercompany activity, or international financial reporting.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and internal controls.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with attorneys, senior leadership, and staff.
• Hands-on, collaborative leadership style with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced professional services environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the firms day-to-day accounting and financial operations.
• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the accounting team.
• Direct monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting, general ledger activity, reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Partner with firm leadership on budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and strategic planning.
• Oversee cash management, banking activities, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and related accounting functions.
• Support financial operations across multiple offices and international entities, including currency and intercompany activity as applicable.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
• Support audit and tax processes and coordinate with external advisors.
• Analyze financial results and provide meaningful reporting and recommendations to firm leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, systems, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as a key resource for the firms financial systems and technology.
• Partner with attorneys, administrative leadership, and other departments to resolve financial issues and support business objectives.
• Participate in special projects and strategic financial initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Financial analysis

Communication

Multi-office accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA preferred

Tools

Elite 3E

ERP systems

Job description

Controller Washington DC

Job ID: 21557

Controller Law Firm

A well-established law firm is seeking an experienced Controller to lead its accounting and financial operations in their Washington DC office. This is an excellent opportunity for a proven law firm finance professional who is ready to take the next step in their career and assume greater leadership responsibility. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader who can manage and develop an accounting team, partner closely with firm leadership, and ideally bring international or multi-office financial experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the firms day-to-day accounting and financial operations.
• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the accounting team.
• Direct monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting, general ledger activity, reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Partner with firm leadership on budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and strategic planning.
• Oversee cash management, banking activities, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and related accounting functions.
• Support financial operations across multiple offices and international entities, including currency and intercompany activity as applicable.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
• Support audit and tax processes and coordinate with external advisors.
• Analyze financial results and provide meaningful reporting and recommendations to firm leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, systems, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as a key resource for the firms financial systems and technology.
• Partner with attorneys, administrative leadership, and other departments to resolve financial issues and support business objectives.
• Participate in special projects and strategic financial initiatives.

Qualifications

• 815 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Proven experience managing, mentoring, and developing accounting professionals.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate a team and establish accountability.
• Demonstrated experience with law firm accounting and financial operations.
• Elite 3E experience strongly preferred.
• International or multi-office accounting experience highly desirable, including exposure to foreign offices, multi-currency transactions, intercompany activity, or international financial reporting.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and internal controls.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with attorneys, senior leadership, and staff.
• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA preferred.
• Hands-on, collaborative leadership style with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced professional services environment.

Ideal Background:

This opportunity is particularly well suited for a strong Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, or similar law firm finance professional who has approximately 815 years of progressive experience and is ready to step into a Controller-level leadership role. Candidates with Elite 3E, international/multi-office experience, and a proven track record of managing and developing teams will be especially attractive.

Tagged as: Controller