What are the responsibilities and job description for the VP of Accounting position at U.S. LawShield?
At U.S. LawShield our focus is on encouraging people to take proactive measures to improve their safety and self-defense abilities—and to serve those who do. We strive to create better-protected communities of responsible self-defenders who have the peace of mind to live their lives confidently. Our company was established in 2009. After initially launching in Texas as Texas LawShield®, the demand for services developed well beyond state lines. Our coverage began to expand across the United States, which is when we became U.S. LawShield. Today, we provide coverage in 46 states and have proudly served more than 2 million people in their self-defense journey.
Why U.S. LawShield?
Position Summary
The Financial Controller works closely with the CFO and undertakes all aspects of financial management. This includes corporate accounting, regulatory and financial reporting, budget and forecast preparation, as well as development of internal control policies and procedures. The controller’s responsibilities will also include financial risk management.
Duties/Responsibilities
Required Skills/Abilities
Supervisory Responsibilities
Why U.S. LawShield?
- 15 days of PTO per calendar year, with additional time accruing with tenure
- 12 paid holidays
- Medical, dental, vision and additional supplemental coverage options
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with travel protection, counseling, and medical bill-saver program
- 401k
- U.S. LawShield membership included with employment
Position Summary
The Financial Controller works closely with the CFO and undertakes all aspects of financial management. This includes corporate accounting, regulatory and financial reporting, budget and forecast preparation, as well as development of internal control policies and procedures. The controller’s responsibilities will also include financial risk management.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Oversee the preparation and review of financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and industry regulatory requirements.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the CEO and other executive leadership.
- Provide detailed financial analysis to support decision-making processes and identify areas of improvement.
- Manage internal and external audits, ensuring all audit requirements are met and the company is in compliance.
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the annual budgeting process, collaborating with department heads to establish accurate financial projections.
- Continuously monitor financial performance against budget, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
- Provide regular financial forecasts to the executive team, adjusting projections based on changing market conditions or business strategy.
- Internal Controls & Risk Management
- Establish and maintain robust internal controls to ensure the integrity of financial data and safeguard company assets.
- Monitor risk exposure and recommend strategies for mitigating financial risks, including credit, market, and operational risks.
- Ensure adherence to financial policies and procedures, maintaining a high level of financial discipline across the organization.
- Maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures; implement a system of controls over accounting transactions to minimize risk.
- Reporting of significant accounting policy changes and preliminary financials to Audit Committee.
- Cash Flow & Treasury Management
- Oversee cash flow management, ensuring sufficient liquidity to meet operational and investment needs.
- Manage banking relationships, negotiate financing arrangements, and optimize cash management strategies.
- Monitor working capital and implement strategies to optimize cash conversion cycles.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and mentor the finance and accounting team, ensuring effective talent management, training, and career development.
- Foster a collaborative environment that encourages team growth, professional development, and continuous improvement.
- Establish performance targets and metrics for the finance team, holding members accountable for meeting goals and deadlines.
- Strategic Support & Financial Insights
- Partner with the executive leadership team to develop and execute business strategies, providing financial insights to drive decision-making.
- Analyze financial trends, market conditions, and competitive landscape to guide strategic initiatives.
- Support capital investments, and other strategic projects with financial analysis and due diligence.
- Tax Compliance & Reporting
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal tax regulations, overseeing tax reporting and filings.
- Work with external tax advisors to minimize tax liabilities while ensuring timely tax submissions.
- Monitor changes in tax laws and advise management on their impact.
Required Skills/Abilities
- Expert Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP’s, Macros, etc.) and other MS Office Suite applications
- Experience with report writing
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Strong leadership and people management abilities.
- Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
- Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in financial reporting.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- In-depth knowledge of financial regulations, tax laws, and compliance standards.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration, or equivalent business experience and 10 years of recent progressively responsible experience with at least 5 years in a senior leadership position (such as Controller, Finance Director, or similar).
- Master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or similar advanced qualification is a plus.
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant) designation preferred.
- Proven experience managing financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
- Strong experience with financial systems, accounting software, and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.
- Expertise in financial analysis, strategic planning, and business forecasting.
- Experience in managing a team of financial professionals.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Trains Accounting department employees in the company’s policies, procedures, and best practices
- Organizes and oversees the schedules and work of the accounting department
- Handles discipline and termination of accounting department employees as needed in accordance with company policy
