Job Summary
The Assistant Controller supports the Chief Financial Officer in overseeing the firm’s accounting operations and ensuring the accuracy, integrity, compliance, and efficiency of its financial processes and reporting. This position is responsible for coordinating and reviewing day-to-day accounting activities, maintaining the general ledger, supporting payroll and tax reporting, preparing financial reports and analyses, and helping maintain effective internal controls.
The Assistant Controller serves as a senior resource within the Accounting Department, provides guidance and oversight to accounting staff, and assists with managing departmental priorities, deadlines, and workflow. The position also helps evaluate and improve accounting procedures, supports budgeting and forecasting, coordinates with external auditors and tax advisors, and assumes additional departmental responsibilities in the Chief Financial Officer’s absence.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
1. Assist the Chief Financial Officer in overseeing the firm’s day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, payroll, general ledger, cash management, and financial reporting.
2. Coordinate and support the monthly and year-end closing processes, ensuring that transactions, reconciliations, adjustments, and reports are completed accurately and timely.
3. Prepare and review journal entries, bank reconciliations, trust-account reconciliations, general-ledger account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
4. Prepare and review monthly financial statements, management reports, account analyses, and other financial information for accuracy and completeness.
5. Oversee or review client billing and invoicing processes to ensure compliance with firm policies, engagement terms, and client billing guidelines.
6. Monitor accounts receivable, cash receipts, accounts payable, and cash-flow activity, and assist in resolving discrepancies or escalated issues.
7. Support payroll processing and related reporting, including reviewing payroll information for accuracy and coordinating with the firm’s payroll provider and internal stakeholders as needed.
8. Assist with the preparation of the firm’s annual budget, financial forecasts, and periodic budget-to-actual analyses.
9. Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, financial institutions, payroll providers, and other outside professionals in connection with audits, tax filings, reporting requirements, and financial matters.
10. Help establish, document, maintain, and monitor internal accounting controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard firm and client assets and promote accurate financial reporting.
11. Monitor compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax and reporting requirements, client trust-account requirements, firm policies, and other regulatory obligations.
12. Provide financial analysis and practical insights to support firm management’s planning and decision-making.
13. Review accounting work performed by other department employees, provide guidance and training, and assist with managing workflow, priorities, and deadlines.
14. Serve as a resource to attorneys, management, and employees regarding accounting procedures and help resolve complex or escalated accounting matters.
15. Collaborate with other departments to streamline workflows, strengthen controls, improve the quality of financial information, and increase operational efficiency.
16. Evaluate existing accounting processes and systems, identify opportunities for improvement, and assist with implementing approved changes.
17. Assist with special projects, system implementations, financial research, and other departmental initiatives.
18. Serve as backup to the Chief Financial Officer and help maintain continuity of essential Accounting Department functions during absences or periods of increased demand.
19. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- At least five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, preferably in a law firm or other professional-services environment.
- Prior experience coordinating accounting operations, reviewing the work of others, or providing guidance to accounting employees. Supervisory experience is preferred.
- CPA certification is preferred but not required.
- Thorough knowledge of accounting principles, general-ledger accounting, financial reporting, account reconciliation, budgeting, and internal controls.
- Experience with payroll, tax reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and month-end and year-end closing processes.
- Experience with client billing and trust accounting in a legal or professional-services environment is strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with accounting and financial-management software and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Experience with law-firm accounting or practice-management systems is preferred.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and time-management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple priorities, manage deadlines, and maintain accuracy under time pressure.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies, identify underlying issues, and recommend practical solutions.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the judgment and professionalism necessary to communicate effectively with attorneys, firm leadership, employees, vendors, and outside professionals.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, and appropriately escalate significant financial or compliance concerns.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail, together with the ability to review financial work critically and identify errors or inconsistencies.
- Demonstrated discretion and ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality when handling financial, payroll, personnel, client, and firm information.
- Strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to work additional hours when necessary to meet critical accounting and reporting deadlines.
- Commitment to continued professional development and staying current with relevant accounting practices, technologies, and requirements.
Working Conditions & Safety Hazards On The Job
- General professional office environment with minimal exposure to safety hazards.
- Work periodically requires sustained concentration and a high level of mental effort, particularly during payroll, month-end, year-end, audit, tax, and budgeting cycles.
- Ability to retrieve and distribute printed materials, packages, and books weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to retrieve and replace materials stored on office shelves.
Join us as an Assistant Controller where your expertise will empower our organization’s financial health while supporting meaningful missions. We value proactive professionals eager to make an impact through precise accounting practices combined with innovative problem-solving.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 5% Match
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Accounting: 5 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Honolulu, HI 96813 (Required)
Work Location: In person
