Strategic Finance Manager – Law Firm Leadership

The Estate Lawyers APC; Irvine (CA); Presencial; USD 160.000 - 180.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The Estate Lawyers APC in Irvine, CA is seeking a Finance Manager to lead our finance team and ensure accurate, timely reporting. You will own cash flow, billing, trust accounting, payroll, and financial controls while partnering with the CFO and leadership to scale the firm.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of financial management in professional services, experience supervising staff, and strong knowledge of QuickBooks Online and trust accounting. This role offers growth and impact.

Formación

• Minimum 5 years of progressive financial management experience within a law firm or professional services organization.
• Minimum 2 years of experience supervising or managing finance personnel.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing billing, collections, payroll, accounts payable, and financial operations.
• Experience with California client trust accounting requirements, including monthly three-way trust account reconciliations.
• Demonstrated experience preparing operating budgets, financial forecasts, cash flow projections, and financial performance reports.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, account reconciliations, and general ledger fundamentals.

Responsabilidades

• Direct and manage four finance team members: set assignments, own deadlines, review work, and hold performance accountable.
• Lead weekly team huddle and individual check-ins; coach performance directly and constructively.
• Coordinate hiring and performance reviews with the CFO and HR.
• Build backup coverage across billing, collections, payroll, and deposits.
• Keep billing cycles on time; resolve missing time, unbilled work, and billing approvals with Legal Production.
• Review accounts receivable weekly; oversee collections, retainer replenishment, payment plans, and cash posting.
• Ensure 100% of monthly three-way trust reconciliations are completed and exceptions escalated immediately per Rule 1.15 and State Bar requirements.
• Review payroll, vendor invoices, case costs, and payment runs; maintain separation between preparation and approval.
• Monitor cash daily; prepare the weekly cash report and 13-week forecast; elevate shortages without waiting to be asked.
• Coordinate all finance-related deadlines — tax, insurance, lease, vendor, licensing.
• Manage the outsourced accounting firm; enforce month-end deadlines; review reconciliations, corrections, and financial statements.
• Escalate negative client balances, improper transfers, and material reporting errors promptly.
• Prepare the annual budget; update monthly forecasts using inputs from the team.
• Deliver the weekly CFO management report at least two business days before each finance meeting; monthly package by the 10th business day — no exceptions.
• Prepare profitability reports by office, attorney, practice, and case type; analyze variances and recommend actions.
• Build financial models and special analyses for CFO review.
• Write, document, and maintain approved SOPs; train staff and build backup coverage.
• Maintain data integrity across Clio, QuickBooks Online, RAMP, ADP, and reporting systems.
• Identify process gaps and elevate proposed improvements — don't wait for someone to notice.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Team management

Financial analysis

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Communication

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Herramientas

QuickBooks Online

Clio

RAMP

ADP

Excel

Descripción del empleo

The Estate Lawyers APC in Irvine, CA is seeking a Finance Manager to lead our finance team and ensure accurate, timely reporting. You will own cash flow, billing, trust accounting, payroll, and financial controls while partnering with the CFO and leadership to scale the firm.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of financial management in professional services, experience supervising staff, and strong knowledge of QuickBooks Online and trust accounting. This role offers growth and impact.