About Katten
Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.
Summary for the Controller Position
The Controller is responsible for managing the firm’s financial operations function including overall responsibility for the firm’s accounts payable, cash receipts, payroll, international accounting, intercompany balancing and escrow transactions and processes. The Controller is a key contributor to the year-end audit of the firm’s financial statement and other compliance reporting. The Controller is an essential stakeholder for all system conversions and implementations that impact the firm’s financial operations functions. Duties are performed personally or through delegation/supervision of subordinates. The Controller maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and firm matters.
Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (KattenFlex).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Plan, organize, and direct the activities of the Accounting Department in all aspects of general accounting including cash receipts, accounts payable, payroll, international accounting, intercompany balancing, and escrow processes, ensuring optimal performance of the financial operations function.
- Define and recommend departmental objectives by developing short-term and long-term goals in support of financial objectives.
- Key member to ensure timely month and year-end finance systems closing with a focus on financial operations.
- Oversight and responsibility for cash and banking processes, including preparation of periodic reconciliations and compliance reporting.
- Analyze, prepare, compile, and distribute various accounting analysis in conjunction with other senior Finance Managers.
- Key contributor in year-end execution of the annual audit of the firm’s financial statements.
- Recommend, implement, and monitor compliance with all established accounting and payroll policies, as well as, with firm policies and procedures and government regulations. Establish and maintain systems and controls that verify the integrity of all financial reporting systems, processes, and data, and enhance the firm’s value.
- Develop, manage, and direct a staff of motivated accounting professionals focusing on metrics to enhance productivity and efficiency and provide quality services in a cost-effective manner.
- Responsible for assuring the integrity of the accounting database system and evaluate new technical developments and recommendations assessing proposed system enhancements.
- Investigate and resolve inquiries and issues regarding accounting operations in a timely and effective manner.
- Key contributor in systems upgrades, managing testing for all areas within accounting operations functions.
- In collaboration with management, develop policies and procedures that result in increased staff efficiencies.
- Other ad hoc requests and reporting as requested by management.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Directly supervises and manages employees and is responsible for their overall direction, coordination, and evaluation. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the firm’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and making recommendations for hiring, promotion, compensation, and termination.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or equivalent; CPA required. Minimum of 15 years of progressive accounting experience and 7 or more years of supervisory experience within a Am Law 50 law firm is required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, cost recovery, and technical analysis skills are required. Knowledge of the accounting processes and reporting requirements used by a large national law firm is preferred.
- Proficient experience with Elite and or Aderant accounting software is required. Knowledge of Chrome River expense reimbursement and Iridium reporting systems or similar industry standards are required.
- Proficient with MS Excel spreadsheets, including features such as pivot tables, charts and graphs and formulas; Proficiency with MS Word and PowerPoint software.
- Knowledgeable of current accounting trends and practices, recommending and implementing new policies and procedures.
- Outstanding analytical skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic with comprehensive knowledge of complex accounting/financial principles and practices to conduct detailed analyses of all aspects of accounting operations, payroll processing procedures, general ledger accounts, balance sheet, and income statement activity, and budget variations.
- Exhibit high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills in exercising independent judgment and making decisions in establishing and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment. Ability to function in stressful situations and think strategically and analytically to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly.
- Excellent attention to detail to assure accuracy and integrity of the accounting database, system, system posting process, financial systems and processes, and financial data storage area.
- Proactive with excellent problem resolution and follow-through skills. Ability to identify and analyze complex accounting/financial issues and problems and to recommend and implement solutions. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
- Ability to perform complex mathematical calculations and apply mathematical concepts when computing, reconciling balances, verifying numerical data, preparing various accounting and financial reports, performing all aspects of accounting operations.
- Supervisory/managerial skills necessary to interact and communicate with subordinates, provide instruction/direction/training, determine work priorities, and coordinate the activities of a work team.
- Required to work towards deadlines; must be able to work more than 37.5 hours per week, as necessary.
- Ability and availability to travel to other firm locations when required.
We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution, parental leave, transportation fringe benefit program, back-up care option, generous paid time off policy, and long-term and short-term disability policies.
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AA-M/F/SO/Disability/Veteran.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Profit sharing
- Vision insurance
Experience level:
Schedule:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60661