Assistant Controller

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK

Jenner & Block LLP is a law firm with global reach, with offices in Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. The firm is known for its prominent and successful litigation practice, global investigations practice, regulatory and government controversies work, and experience handling sophisticated and high-profile corporate transactions. Its clients include Fortune 100 companies, technology companies, large privately held corporations, emerging companies, Native American tribes, and venture capital and private equity investors. The American Lawyer has recognized Jenner & Block as the No. 1 pro bono firm in the United States 10 times.

Jenner & Block offers a comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), and paid time off, in addition to other offerings.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Owner of the GL team’s tasks, processes, and deliverables, including but not limited to:
• Monthly and yearly financial close process. Ensure all month-end close tasks, including journal entries, are completed timely and accurately. Prepare detailed monthly analytics to explain variances to prior periods. Meet short turn-around deadlines to produce monthly financial reports.
• Proper reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts. Strive for consistency and high-level summarization of reconciling items. Ensure timely resolution of reconciling items. Continue to develop and implement best practice processes around outstanding check follow-up.
• Annual financial statement audit. Review all work papers, draft of the financial statements and notes and oversee the timely completion of the audit.
• Annual accrual-basis financial statements for the firm’s UK entity, as required for statutory tax return purposes. Work closely with the CFO, Controller and Tax Director to ensure accuracy / consistency and excellent documentation.
• Assist financial analysts with the annual budget and monthly forecasting for expenses.
• Collaborate with all members of the Finance team to ensure accuracy, timeliness and consistency of data capture and expense coding. Consider comparability and socialize coding changes. Identify monthly variances caused by inappropriate timing of recurring vendor invoice processing in the current year and alert the Accounts Payable team to prevent recurrence. Manage the timing of significant recurring payments/interfaces. Follow-up on process changes when issues are identified.
• Build and regularly circulate a robust monthly / quarterly / annual calendar to clearly manage and communicate deliverables to and from the GL team.
• Supervise the performance of the GL team members by supporting, mentoring, and coaching through regular performance feedback and participating in the annual staff performance evaluation process. Ensure that they are challenged and continuously focused on strengthening controls and optimizing processes.
• Monitor the financial reporting and general accounting function to ensure appropriate control procedures have been established and are being followed. Address gaps in internal controls over financial reporting and general accounting.
• Prepare annual insurance renewal support schedules and deliverables, including SRA renewal for the UK office. Serve as the primary contact for business insurance inquiries.
• Maintain soft copy financial information and related support in an organized and intuitive series of shared files. Oversee the continued organization of the overall Finance team shared files.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as requested.

PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AND AUTOMATION ENDEAVORS

• Play a key role in leading the firm’s effort to replace the current accounting system (RIPPE/LMS)
• Continuous focus to improve operations and automate processes while being mindful of maintaining an environment of strong internal controls.
• Establish, implement and/or maintain standard operating policies and procedures and best practices over financial reporting and general accounting.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
• CPA eligibility required; licensed or registered CPA preferred
• At least four (4) years of related managerial experience
• Extensive software knowledge o ERP software, particularly General Ledger module
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word)
• Demonstrate hands-on experience in o project management o software solutions implementation
• business workflow
• ERP Software Module Integration
• Strong organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, responsiveness, and customer service, while observing and ensuring confidentiality of personnel and Firm information.
• Partnering, negotiating and consensus building skills
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to manage and maintain confidential information

Jenner & Block LLP is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment and employment decisions are not made on the basis of an individual’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, arrest record, matriculation, personal appearance, political affiliation, marital, parental, veteran, military, or order of protection status, or any other protected status or that of their relatives, friends, or associates.