Staff Accountant

Syntagma Group; New Jersey; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Syntagma Group in New Jersey seeks a Staff Accountant to manage the firm’s trust accounting and support broader law firm accounting operations. You will serve as a resource to attorneys, clients, and internal teams on trust funds, retainers, balances, and transactions.

The role emphasizes accuracy, strong communication with stakeholders, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with discretion while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of 3 years of accounting experience in a law firm is required; experience with trust accounting, legal accounting, escrow accounting, or client fund management strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage firm trust accounts and maintain accurate client retainer and trust fund records.
• Process and reconcile trust deposits, transfers, wires, disbursements, and activity.
• Serve as primary contact for attorneys and clients on trust balances and transactions.
• Review trust balances and activity, resolve discrepancies, and communicate funding needs.
• Prepare trust reconciliations, reports, analyses, and audit-ready documentation.
• Support general accounting functions including AP, AR, billing, and month-end close.
• Provide backup coverage for the accounting team and support cross-functional needs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Discretion

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Accounting software

Job description

The Staff Accountant manages the firm’s trust accounting function, supports broader law firm accounting operations, and serves as a resource for attorneys, clients, and internal teams on trust funds, retainers, balances, and transactions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Trust Accounting (Primary Responsibility)

• Administer firm trust accounts and maintain accurate client retainer and trust fund records.
• Process and reconcile trust deposits, transfers, wires, disbursements, and account activity in accordance with firm policies and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the primary contact for attorneys and clients on trust balances, funding inquiries, retainers, and trust-related transactions.
• Review trust balances and activity, resolve discrepancies, and communicate funding needs.
• Verify and maintain trust banking and wire instructions across office locations and accounts.
• Prepare trust reconciliations, reports, analyses, and audit-ready documentation.

Accounting Operations Support

• Support general law firm accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing support, cash application, reconciliations, and transaction research.
• Review financial transactions and supporting documentation and assist with vendor, client, and matter account maintenance.
• Support month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, bank and account reconciliations, and financial schedules.
• Assist with financial reporting, audit requests, and process improvements to support accounting operations.

Cross-Functional Coverage

• Maintain working knowledge of accounting department functions and provide backup coverage for team members.
• Support critical accounting functions, including billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and month-end close, as needed.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of accounting experience in a law firm required.
• Experience with trust accounting, legal accounting, escrow accounting, or client fund management strongly preferred.
• Experience working directly with internal and external stakeholders in a client-service environment.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting or financial management systems.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, reconciliations, and internal controls.

Core Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with attorneys, clients, vendors, and staff.
• Analytical, solutions-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities with professionalism and discretion.