at Jenner & Block LLP in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
POSTION SUMMARY
The Director and Financial Controller (Controller) reports directly to the CFO and is primarily responsible for optimized and effective internal controls, as well as maintenance of the firm’s book of record and related financial reporting & analysis. The Controller also leads the treasury and accounts payable functions, as well as property insurance placement. The Controller is responsible for the annual modified cash basis financial statement audit, as well as for development of related presentations to the Audit Committee.
Importantly, this position will play a key role in the ERP replacement project; work has begun and is expected to conclude within the next 18 months.
The firm seeks a talented leader with strong internal control, process improvement, management, presentation and documentation skills.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Maintain effective oversight of the firm’s key internal controls. Prepare periodic reports on efficacy.
- Lead the talented accounting , budget/forecast, treasury and accounts payable teams to best in class work product.
- Lead process improvement and documentation projects.
- Maintain a robust monthly / quarterly / annual calendar to clearly manage and communicate recurring deliverables to and from your team. Assign and oversee information or analysis requests.
- Work closely with the COO and CFO to set targets, explain actual firm results (versus prior periods, budget and peer averages), as well as to recommend actions for improved results.
- Act as primary liaison to external auditors and to related internal personnel in support of the annual modified cash basis financial statement audit. Prepare materials and lead audit committee meetings.
- Oversee the firm’s annual property insurance renewal.
- Ensure compliance with financial covenants in banking agreements to avoid triggering default provisions.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills and ability to provide excellent responsiveness and customer service, during and outside of working hours, while observing and ensuring confidentiality of personnel and firm information.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- 8+ years, with experience as a financial auditor within a major public firm. Experience with law firm partnerships a plus.
- CPA; Undergraduate degree in Accounting or related field.
- Support, lead, and embrace new projects, processes, and changes to help create a best-practice finance department.
- Possess strong analytic and business judgment skills.
- Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills. Regularly present to the finance team, executive leadership and firm partners.
- Possess strong management and mentorship skills to develop and manage the performance of staff within the finance team.
- Demonstrate excellent data management, retrieval and analysis skills. Maintain financial and analytic information and related support in an organized / intuitive series of shared files.
- Join a collaborative team and strongly contribute to prioritized projects of the firm.
- Perform other related duties and assignments as requested.
