Director of Accounting

JOB TITLE: Director of Accounting

STATUS: Exempt

Type: Full Time

Smith Anderson is a well-established and dynamic mid-size law firm, providing top-tier legal services to clients across a range of industries. We value a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture where our people are empowered to think big, grow professionally, and make meaningful contributions every day. We're seeking a hands-on Director of Accounting to elevate our financial operations and shape the future of our firm's accounting function.

The Director of Accounting is a senior leadership role accountable for building and overseeing a high-performing accounting function that enables firm leadership to make informed financial decisions. Reporting to the CFO and managing the Controller, this position assumes ownership for the firm's accounting, financial statement reporting, budgeting, and tax compliance functions.

The Director will implement scalable processes and controls, modernize financial systems and reporting tools, and develop a forward-thinking accounting function. The role calls for both oversight and hands-on execution, particularly in the areas of compliance, financial modeling, and internal reporting. The firm adheres to the cash/tax basis of accounting.

The successful candidate will be an experienced accounting leader with deep technical skills, strong judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a collaborative culture with partners participating in significant decisions. The ideal candidate is process-driven, tech-savvy, and ready to take ownership of advancing the firm's financial maturity. S/he must be able to both lead teams and roll up their sleeves when needed - setting structure, and continuously refining financial operations to support firm-wide goals.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the CFO's right hand in modernizing the accounting and finance infrastructure.
• Lead the design and implementation of accounting and reporting policies that support a growth-oriented, compliance-focused financial culture.
• Supervise and mentor the Controller, ensuring seamless integration between day-to-day operations and broader financial initiatives.
• Drive financial operational modernization through best practices, scalable systems, and robust documentation.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement accounting systems, tools, and processes to improve accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
• Own the development of timely, accurate financial statements, with detailed analysis of trends, variances, and performance drivers.
• Lead the preparation of monthly internal reporting packages and presentation decks for firm leadership.
• Partner with CFO to support the creation of partner compensation analytics and the annual Partner Compensation Notebook.
• Prepare profit-sharing models ensuring allocation calculations conform to plan documents and applicable regulations.
• Lead the firm's annual budgeting process, including design of budgeting models and coordination with department heads.
• Support multi-year forecasting and scenario planning, including capital expenditure and partner compensation modeling.
• Oversee the firm's compliance with federal, state, and local tax filing obligations, including coordination with external tax advisors.
• Own revenue sourcing compliance and policy, ensuring alignment between matter intake data and jurisdictional reporting.
• Review state filing determinations, voluntary disclosure agreements, and sourcing studies.
• Ensure the firm's internal control environment evolves with changes in technology, personnel, and business practices.
• Oversee process improvement initiatives related to financial reporting, account reconciliations, documentation, and internal audit preparedness.
• Lead or co-lead financial system upgrades, configuration changes, or implementations.
• Act as internal champion for financial reporting modernization and digital transformation in accounting processes.
• Lead and develop a growing accounting team, providing guidance, mentorship, and training plans.
• Ensure clear expectations, accountability, and professional development across accounting roles.
• Foster a collaborative, performance-oriented team culture.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience in a professional services or partnership-based environment.
• 5+ years in a leadership role with both oversight and hands-on responsibilities.
• Deep experience with accounting operations, general ledger accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience with law firm accounting systems strongly preferred (especially the 3E Cloud platform).
• Strong working knowledge of tax compliance for partnership structures strongly preferred, including K-1 reconciliation and state sourcing.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing accounting teams.
• Strong project management skills with experience implementing or optimizing financial systems.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in designing and building financial models.
• Exceptional analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive results in a growing and evolving firm environment.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent related work experience.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• Master of Accounting or MBA is desirable.

Smith Anderson is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse work force. It is the policy of this Firm to recruit, hire, train, develop, promote, and compensate employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, genetic information, disability or covered veteran status.