Controller – Immigration Law Firm (Fully Remote)

About the role

A growing immigration law firm is hiring a Controller to own all finance operations: general accounting, billing, accounts receivable and payable, trust accounts, payroll, cash management, tax reporting, budgeting and financial planning. The position is fully remote and works directly with the Owner/CFO and the Senior Management Team, leading the firm's finance team. It is not a data-entry role.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the finance team: supervise the Bookkeeper, Billing Specialist and outside financial vendors, including hiring and performance reviews; until they are filled, perform their functions directly.
• Own the financial systems: oversee billing, trust accounts, A/R, collections, bookkeeping, expenses, A/P, payroll, audits and taxes, and help plan changes to the accounting system.
• Budget and planning: work with the Owner and Senior Management on the business plan and budget adjustments, implement the annual budget and keep the firm on track.
• Risk and controls: implement and enforce risk management and financial controls, and recommend new ones to protect the integrity of the firm's financials.
• Cash and accounts: monitor bank, credit card, deposit and trust account balances and incoming payments daily.
• Accounts payable: receive, review, approve, pay and record vendor and subcontractor invoices in QuickBooks.
• Reconciliations and reporting: support monthly reconciliations of trust accounts, A/R and bank accounts; help prepare financial statements, key reports and budgets, and advise the Owner/CFO.
• Billing and A/R: ensure bills are sent on time, track and report A/R, flag past-due accounts, and oversee collection policies and client communication on past-due balances.
• Client billing issues: resolve billing questions, and oversee disputes, chargebacks and refunds (refunds only with the Owner's approval).
• Payroll: prepare bi-weekly payroll, benefits and contractor payments for the Owner's approval.
• Client costs: track costs advanced to clients and keep the case management and accounting systems up to date.
• Tax and compliance: prepare annual financial statements and reports for the CPA, 1099 forms for subcontractors, and state and federal tax reports; renew annual licenses.
• Analysis: provide first-level review, data gathering and analysis for strategic and operational planning.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field.
• Significant accounting experience, including in a professional services firm.
• Experience in the legal industry or a similar professional services environment.
• Experience supervising and managing an accounting team.
• Preferred: MBA or Master's in Accounting.

Required skills

• QuickBooks proficiency and advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to analyze financial data, identify trends and make informed decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication, attention to detail and accuracy.
• Preferred: experience with legal practice management systems and bilingualism in English and Spanish.