Senior Accountant

SpectrumCareers; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SpectrumCareers is seeking a Senior Accountant to manage day-to-day accounting, month-end close, and financial reporting in a professional services environment. You will interact with the Controller and billing team to ensure accuracy and timely closes.

The role requires strong attention to detail, familiarity with trust accounting, and experience with law-firm systems. CPA or CPA candidate is a plus; prior law firm exposure is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 3+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Preferred background: law firm, professional services, or financial services industry.
• Working knowledge of trust accounting rules and cash- vs. accrual-basis reporting.
• Experience with law firm or professional services systems (Elite 3E, Aderant, ProLaw, Juris, Centerbase, or similar).
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, large data sets).
• CPA or CPA candidate a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, accruals, and account analysis.
• Prepare and reconcile general ledger accounts; research and resolve variances.
• Reconcile operating, trust/IOLTA, and escrow accounts in compliance with bar association requirements.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reporting packages.
• Support the billing cycle: WIP and unbilled time review, client cost postings, A/R analysis, and collections reporting.
• Track and record firm expenses, prepaids, fixed assets, and depreciation.
• Assist with cash management, daily cash positioning, and bank activity review.
• Support partner compensation, distributions, and capital account schedules.
• Prepare workpapers and schedules for external auditors and tax preparers.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Identify and implement process improvements in accounting workflows and controls.

Skills

3+ years accounting experience

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Elite 3E

Aderant

ProLaw

Juris

Centerbase

Job description

The Senior Accountant supports the firm's day-to-day accounting operations and month-end close, with responsibility for general ledger activity, reconciliations, and financial reporting. This role works closely with the Controller and billing team and requires strong attention to detail in a deadline-driven professional services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, accruals, and account analysis
• Prepare and reconcile general ledger accounts; research and resolve variances
• Reconcile operating, trust/IOLTA, and escrow accounts in compliance with bar association requirements
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reporting packages
• Support the billing cycle: WIP and unbilled time review, client cost postings, A/R analysis, and collections reporting
• Track and record firm expenses, prepaids, fixed assets, and depreciation
• Assist with cash management, daily cash positioning, and bank activity review
• Support partner compensation, distributions, and capital account schedules
• Prepare workpapers and schedules for external auditors and tax preparers
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Identify and implement process improvements in accounting workflows and controls

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• 3+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Preferred background: law firm, professional services, or financial services industry
• Working knowledge of trust accounting rules and cash- vs. accrual-basis reporting
• Experience with law firm or professional services systems (Elite 3E, Aderant, ProLaw, Juris, Centerbase, or similar) strongly preferred
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, large data sets)
• CPA or CPA candidate a plus
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with attorneys and firm leadership
• Discretion in handling confidential financial and client information