What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Financial Officer position at Lowndes?
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with Chief Operating Officer and the firm’s President/CEO to develop and present comprehensive, timely financial reports and analyses for firm leadership and shareholders
- Collaborate with COO to establish, monitor, and implement financial policies and procedures
- Lead Accounting Department of 10 members, overseeing all accounting functions and providing mentorship and guidance
- Develop the fiscal year operating and long-term capital budgets, and monitor and report on variances
- Prepare complex financial reports, forecasts, and analyses, monthly and on an ad hoc basis
- Maintain internal control processes over all accounting functions
- Manage banking relationships
- Manage trust account operations in conformance with accepted firm practices and Florida Bar rules
- Work directly with the firm’s CPA on tax planning and year-end tax preparation, to ensure tax objectives are met
- Responsible for annual retirement plan audit, required plan testing and preparation of related form 5500's
- Oversee the year-end close of books and all related compliance reporting and taxation
- Manage utilization of accounting and billing software platform
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business required; CPA or MBA preferred. Minimum of 10 years of supervisory experience in a law firm or professional services environment required. Experience with Aderant accounting system and other legal related software, including dashboards, intake, budgeting, etc. preferred.
Skills/Abilities:
- Strong administrative, management and leadership skills. Capable of working with limited direction, providing leadership and strategic guidance to the accounting team
- Demonstrated ability to think analytically, problem solve, exercise good judgement, make decisions and initiate action
- Proficient with cost accounting concepts necessary to analyze profitability of various practice groups, clients, etc.
- Strong interpersonal skills to create an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust, openness, encourage resourcefulness, and collaborate as a team
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office 365 suite, particularly in Excel, required. Working knowledge of legal document management systems preferred
- Effective and professional level communication skills (written and oral), in order to effectively communicate with attorneys, staff, clients, and vendors.
