Lead – Finance & Accounting Services

careers-lw; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401k

Paid holidays

PTO 23 days

Well-being programs

Professional development

Employee discounts

Affinity groups

Job summary

Latham & Watkins seeks a Lead – Finance & Accounting Services to support U.S. practice offices and Global Finance from the New York office, with hybrid-in-office arrangements possible.

The role combines accounting expertise, operational support, process improvement, and technology-enabled solutions across budgeting, expense management, AP, costs, and non-billing activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA or CPA candidate, or other relevant professional certification, preferably.
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, audit, financial operations, or related professional services experience.
• A minimum of five years of cumulative experience.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, reconciliations, accounts payable, expense management, reporting, process documentation, or financial systems, preferably.
• Experience participating in process improvement, system implementation, data analysis, automation, workflow, or reporting initiatives, preferably.

Responsibilities

• Applying solid accounting principles, financial controls, and firm policies to review transactions, research issues, prepare analyses, and resolve practice office and our Global Services Office requests.
• Assisting with annual budget processes, including compilation of inputs, review of operational expenses, variance and payee/department-level analysis, and follow-up with local office and business contacts.
• Reviewing and documenting finance and accounting processes to identify root causes, control gaps, training needs, and opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and service quality across offices.
• Participating in automation and technology initiatives (e.g., SharePoint and Power Platform workflows, reporting enhancements), including business requirements, user acceptance testing, validation of outputs, and post-implementation support.
• Using Excel, reporting tools, and financial systems to analyze data, identify trends or exceptions, and prepare clear summaries for management review and stakeholder discussions.
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains.

Skills

Accounting Principles

Financial Analysis

Budgeting

Process Improvement

Data Analysis

Excel

SharePoint

Power Platform

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CPA candidate (preferred)

Tools

SharePoint

Power Platform

Job description

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers around the world. Our investment in people, commitment to innovation, and focus on the future empower you to build an incredible career and thrive as an exceptional professional in a supportive culture. If you aspire to be the best, and work with the best, this is where you belong.

About the Role

The Lead – Finance & Accounting Services, United States is an integral part of Latham’s Global Finance team. This role will be responsible for supporting U.S. practice offices and Global Finance through a combination of accounting expertise, operational support, process improvement, and technology-enabled solutions, while supporting Finance & Accounting Services across practice offices, including budgeting, expense management, accounts payable, nominal and recoverable costs, charitable contributions, and related non-billing activities. This role will be located in our New York office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Other key responsibilities include:

• Applying solid accounting principles, financial controls, and firm policies to review transactions, research issues, prepare analyses, and resolve practice office and
• our Global Services Office requests
• Assisting with annual budget processes, including compilation of inputs, review of operational expenses, variance and payee/department-level analysis, and follow-up with local office and business contacts
• Reviewing and documenting finance and accounting processes to identify root causes, control gaps, training needs, and opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and service quality across offices
• Participating in automation and technology initiatives (e.g., SharePoint and Power Platform workflows, reporting enhancements), including business requirements, user acceptance testing, validation of outputs, and post-implementation support
• Using Excel, reporting tools, and financial systems to analyze data, identify trends or exceptions, and prepare clear summaries for management review and stakeholder discussions
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Exhibit analytical skills, including the ability to interpret financial data, analyze variances, identify exceptions, perform detailed reviews, and summarize findings clearly
• Display a strong accounting foundation, including the ability to understand, analyze, and apply accounting principles to financial transactions, reconciliations, reporting, and operational decision-making
• Possess a high level of attention to detail, with the ability to review and proofread work to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance

And have:

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related field
• A CPA, CPA candidate, or other relevant professional certification, preferably
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, audit, financial operations, or related professional services experience
• A minimum of five (5) years of cumulative experience
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, reconciliations, accounts payable, expense management, reporting, process documentation, or financial systems, preferably
• Experience participating in process improvement, system implementation, data analysis, automation, workflow, or reporting initiatives, preferably

Benefits & Additional Information

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
• Professional development programs
• Employee discounts
• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

Pay Range

USD $140,000.00 - USD $160,000.00 /Yr.