Settlement Accounting Manager

Singleton Schreiber LLP; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Commuter reimbursement

Home office reimbursement

Grubhub lunch credit

Hybrid/remote work stipend

Job summary

Singleton Schreiber LLP seeks a Settlement Accounting Manager in San Diego, CA to lead the settlement accounting function with accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. You will guide a dedicated team and coordinate with Legal, Operations, and Finance on settlement processes and reporting.

You will drive internal controls, leverage AI and automation tools, and support audits, while ensuring meticulous reconciliation of settlement accounts and adherence to firm policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of accounting experience with settlement/trust exposure.
• Law firm experience preferred.
• People management experience required.
• Strong GAAP, internal controls, and reconciliations knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the settlement accounting function for accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee recording, reconciliation, and disbursement of settlement funds.
• Develop and maintain internal controls and procedures for settlements.
• Collaborate with Legal, Operations and Finance on settlements reporting.
• Leverage AI and automation tools to streamline processes.
• Prepare journals, reports, and schedules; support audits.
• Provide financial analysis related to settlements to leadership.

Skills

Leadership & management

Advanced accounting

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Accounting software

Excel

Trust/settlement systems

Job description

Role Overview

The Settlement Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing all settlement-related accounting activities, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial processing of settlements. This role provides leadership to the settlement accounting team, manages complex financial workflows, and partners closely with Legal, Operations, and Finance to support firm-wide settlement processes and reporting. This is a full-time remote-eligible position with a preference for candidates based in San Diego, CA.

Salary

$120,000- $130,000 annually
Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as location, skills, experience, and qualifications for the role.

Key Responsibilities

The Big Picture

• Lead and manage the settlement accounting function to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across all settlement processes.
• Oversee the recording, reconciliation, and disbursement of settlement funds in accordance with firm policies and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain internal controls and accounting procedures related to settlements.
• Serve as a key liaison between Accounting, Legal, Settlement Administration, and external stakeholders.
• Drive the use of AI and automation tools, including Microsoft Copilot, Cowork, and Power Automate, to streamline processes, reduce manual work, and improve efficiency.

Specific Tasks

• Manage day-to-day operations of the settlement accounting team, including workload distribution, training, and performance management.
• Review and approve settlement calculations, allocations, and disbursements.
• Ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of trust and settlement accounts.
• Monitor compliance with client trust accounting rules, internal policies, and applicable regulations.
• Prepare and review settlement-related journal entries, reports, and financial schedules.
• Assist with audits, internal reviews, and responses to inquiries related to settlement accounting.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement efficiencies within settlement accounting workflows.
• Support leadership with financial analysis and reporting related to settlements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required.
• 5+ years of accounting experience, with significant exposure to settlement accounting, trust accounting, or similar complex financial environments.
• Law firm experience preferred.
• Prior people management or team lead experience required.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, internal controls, and reconciliation processes.
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Proficiency with accounting systems and Excel; experience with legal or settlement management systems preferred.
• Process oriented and strong analytical skills.

Competencies

• Performance & Contributions: Consistently delivers quality results and meets or exceeds job requirements.
• Collaboration & Communication: Works effectively with colleagues and communicates clearly.
• Initiative: Proactively takes action to achieve results.
• Professional Growth & Development: Demonstrates ongoing professional growth and seeks opportunities for development.
• Team Performance & Cohesion: Builds a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Training & Process Improvement: Demonstrates ability to effectively train a team and individual employees and continually improve processes and performance.
• Overall Leadership Performance: Strong leadership performance including building a team and keeping up with administrative requirements to manage the team (i.e. approving time off requests/timecards, ensuring compliance trainings are completed, conducting 90 day and annual evaluations).

Additional Information

This role may require handling sensitive financial information and meeting strict deadlines tied to settlement schedules

Benefits

At Singleton Schreiber, we value the hard work and dedication of our team, and we’re proud to offer a benefits package that reflects that commitment. Our goal is to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance through a wide range of meaningful perks:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• $50,000 in life insurance provided at no cost
• 401(k) plan with 6% dollar-for-dollar employer match after probationary period
• Generous paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or fostering
• Dependent care reimbursement up to $3,500/month
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Up to $5,000 Infertility Treatment reimbursement and
• Up to $5,250/year in tuition reimbursement for professional development
• Monthly commuter reimbursement up to $100 for public transportation
• Home office reimbursement: $150 for a desk, $150 for a chair (one-time)
• $25 work-from-home allowance each pay period for hybrid and remote staff
• State bar and approved professional association dues covered
• $30 Grubhub lunch credit every first Friday of the month
• Community engagement support: matching donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and encouragement of volunteer time

Nondiscrimination Statement

Singleton Schreiber, LLP is an equal opportunity employer. Selection of candidates will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and religious grooming), sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including transgender identity and transitioning), gender expression and sex stereotyping, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information (including genetic information), family care or medical leave status, military caregiver status, military status, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, engaging in protected communications regarding employee wages, requesting a reasonable accommodation on the basis of disability or bona fide religious belief or practice, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws.