Pine Brook
Job DescriptionTITLE: CONTROLLERLOCATION: PINE BROOK, NJPOSITION: FULL TIME/DIRECT HIRE Position Overview: We are seeking a highly experienced, hands-on Controller to lead the accounting and financial operations of a growing, mid-sized law firm of approximately 50–60 attorneys. This role requires a balance of strategic oversight and day-to-day execution, supporting firm leadership with accurate financial reporting, operational insights, and forward-looking analysis. The ideal candidate has strong law firm accounting experience, is comfortable operating in a lean environment, and can leverage AI-driven tools and advanced Excel modeling to enhance reporting, forecasting, and decision-making. You will report directly to the CEO and Firm Leadership/Partners along with the Bookkeeper reporting directly to you. Key Responsibilities: • Oversee the full-cycle accounting function, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll, and legal billing operations, • Directly manage and mentor the Bookkeeper, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across daily accounting activities, • Prepare and deliver timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including partner-level reporting, • Provide practice group and partner profitability analysis, revenue tracking, and expense management insights, • Lead the month-end and year-end close processes in a timely and accurate manner, • Oversee law firm billing operations using Centerbase, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and integration with accounting systems, • Maintain and optimize QuickBooks for financial reporting and internal controls, • Utilize AI tools and automation to improve financial reporting, forecasting, and data analysis capabilities, • Build and maintain advanced Excel models for budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning, • Ensure compliance with legal accounting standards, including trust accounting (IOLTA) and regulatory requirements, • Review general ledger activity, investigate variances, and ensure proper reconciliations across all accounts, • Oversee payroll processing and coordination with third-party providers (e.g., ADP or similar), • Partner with leadership on annual budgeting, financial planning, and strategic initiatives, • Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and scalability as the firm grows, • Serve as a key financial advisor to the CEO and partners, translating financial data into actionable insights, • Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to firm-wide operational strategy, • Perform additional duties as needed to support firm operations Qualifications:, • 10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including significant law firm experience (required), • Proven experience in a mid-sized or growing firm environment, with the ability to be both strategic and hands-on, • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required, • CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred, • Strong experience with QuickBooks (required) and Centerbase or similar legal billing platforms (required), • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling and data analysis, • Demonstrated experience leveraging AI tools for reporting, forecasting, and operational efficiency, • Deep understanding of law firm financial operations, including billing, collections, and trust accounting (IOLTA), • Prior experience managing or mentoring accounting staff, • Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, • Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with attorneys and firm leadership, • High attention to detail, integrity, and accountability Core Competencies:, • Hands-on financial leadership in a mid-sized environment, • Strategic thinking with operational execution, • Data analysis and AI-driven reporting, • Process improvement and scalability, • Collaboration with attorneys and business professionals