Director of Accounting

District Partners; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

District Partners Llc is partnering with a prominent national law firm to identify a Director of Accounting. This leadership role targets an ambitious accounting professional ready to advance from Senior Accounting Manager or Assistant Controller into broader responsibility within a sophisticated professional services environment.

Responsibilities include leading core accounting operations, building and developing a high-performing team, and partnering with senior Finance leadership on strategy

Qualifications

• Accounting leadership experience in a large law firm (AmLaw 150) is strongly preferred.
• Experience as a Senior Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, Accounting Director, or equivalent.
• Strong technical accounting fundamentals with hands-on general ledger, reporting, and month-end close.
• Proven track record of managing and developing accounting professionals.
• Experience improving processes, implementing controls, or optimizing financial systems.
• Familiarity with law firm financial systems such as Elite 3E or Aderant.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with senior leadership.
• Based in the Washington, DC area or willing to travel to DC about once per month.

Responsibilities

• Lead core accounting operations: general ledger, close, reporting, reconciliations, internal controls
• Develop and mentor an established accounting team, identify improvement opportunities
• Partner with senior Finance leadership on strategy and firmwide initiatives
• Drive process improvements, automation, and better use of financial systems
• Oversee cash management, banking activities, and treasury processes
• Coordinate accounting/reporting across multiple offices and entities
• Support system enhancements, policy development, and control environment
• Provide oversight of trust accounting and other law-firm-specific activities

Skills

Accounting leadership

General ledger operations

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Team development

Process improvement

Systems automation

Communication with leadership

Tools

Elite 3E

Aderant

Job description

District Partners is partnering with a prominent national law firm to identify a Director of Accounting. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious accounting professional who has built a strong foundation within a large law firm and is ready to take the next step into a broader leadership role.

Our client is seeking someone who can do more than manage the day-to-day accounting function. They want a forward-thinking leader who can develop a talented team, improve processes, leverage technology, and help shape the future of the firm's accounting operations.

This opportunity is particularly well-suited for a strong Senior Accounting Manager or Assistant Controller who is ready for greater ownership, visibility, and influence within a sophisticated professional services environment.

What You'll Be Owning:

• Lead the firm's core accounting operations, including the general ledger, financial close, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls
• Manage and develop an established accounting team, building on existing strengths while identifying opportunities for improvement
• Partner with senior Finance leadership on accounting strategy, operational priorities, and firmwide initiatives
• Drive process improvements, automation, and more effective utilization of financial systems to create a more efficient and scalable accounting function
• Oversee cash management, banking activities, and treasury-related processes
• Coordinate accounting and reporting across multiple offices and entities
• Support financial systems enhancements, accounting policy development, and initiatives to strengthen the firm's control environment
• Provide oversight of trust accounting, compliance, and other accounting activities specific to the legal industry

What You'll Bring to the Table:

• Accounting leadership experience within an AmLaw 150 law firm is strongly preferred. Candidates should have a thorough understanding of the financial operations and accounting complexities of a large law firm
• Current or recent experience as a Senior Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, Accounting Director, or similar accounting leadership role
• Strong technical accounting fundamentals and hands-on experience overseeing general ledger operations, financial reporting, and the month-end close
• Demonstrated success managing and developing accounting professionals
• Experience improving accounting processes, implementing controls, or optimizing financial systems
• Familiarity with law firm financial systems such as Elite 3E, Aderant, or comparable platforms
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders across the organization
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and an interest in taking on broader leadership responsibilities
• Based in the Washington, DC area or willing to travel to DC approximately once per month for in-person meetings and collaboration

Why Consider This Opportunity?:

• A meaningful career move: Take the next step from Senior Manager or Assistant Controller into a leadership role with broader responsibility for a major law firm's accounting operations
• Geographic flexibility: Candidates do not need to relocate to Washington, DC. The firm is open to qualified professionals based elsewhere who can travel to DC approximately once per month
• Visibility and influence: Work closely with senior Finance leadership and have a meaningful voice in how the accounting function operates and evolves
• Opportunity to make an impact: Help modernize accounting processes, improve efficiency, and leverage technology to strengthen financial operations
• People leadership: Build on your existing management experience while taking greater ownership of team development, operational performance, and strategic initiatives
• Long-term growth: Join an established, highly regarded law firm where you can continue developing your leadership capabilities and expanding your responsibilities

If you've built your career in the accounting department of a major law firm and are ready for a new challenge, we'd welcome a confidential conversation

Location: Washington, DC, or remote with willingness to travel to Washington, DC approximately once per month.