Overview In this role you will lead K&L Gates' worldwide accounting operations and shape the firm's financial direction. You partner with firm leadership to drive financial insight, operational excellence, and robust controls across 40+ offices. You will manage multi-entity, multi-currency reporting, compliance, and audits while modernizing systems and processes. Your leadership ensures accurate results, regulatory compliance, and strong internal controls in a fast-paced professional services environment. This is an opportunity to impact global finance at a top-tier law firm.
Compensation / Benefits- Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage
- 401(k) Retirement Plan and Profit Sharing
- Paid Time Off
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
- Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
Responsibilities- Direct and oversee the accounting function (GL, AP, AR/collections, payroll, treasury, financial reporting) across 40+ offices
- Oversee timely preparation of financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) and ensure jurisdictional compliance
- Maintain accuracy of accounting records and implement internal controls and risk management frameworks
- Lead international regulatory filings and local statutory audits; manage external audit process and remediation
- Develop and monitor accounting policies, procedures, and best practices; drive process improvements and system optimization
- Lead a team of 40+ accounting professionals across multiple countries with mentorship and development
- Partner with CFO and FP&A on planning, analysis, and forecasting; provide business insights
- Drive technology modernization in reporting, billing/collections, data analytics, and automation
- Coordinate with other firm functions (benefits, HR, IT, marketing) on financial matters
- Ensure proper reconciliation of all accounts, including trust accounts, with strict controls
- Oversee day-to-day issue handling, reporting, and responses to non-recurring questions
- Complete special projects as needed
Key requirements- Bachelor's degree in accounting; CPA required (or equivalent)
- 10+ years in progressive accounting/financial management; at least 5 years in controller/senior role
- 5+ years of people management experience
- Experience in professional services, law firm, or partnership environment preferred
- Experience managing complex multi-entity, multi-currency operations in global settings
- Strong GAAP knowledge and multi-jurisdictional financial compliance, internal controls, and external audits
- Proficiency with enterprise Accounting and Billing & Collections systems (3E or Aderant); knowledge of Oracle/SAP is a plus
- Proven leadership, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills
- Leadership Excellence
- Strategic mindset
- Stakeholder management
- GAAP
- Internal controls
- External audit coordination
