Accounting Manager

• Maintain complete ownership of the firm's general ledger, ensuring the integrity of the chart of accounts, accurate journal entries, and proper account coding across all departments and entities.

• Execute accurate and timely month-end and year-end close processes in accordance with established deadlines, proactively identifying and resolving issues before they impact financial reporting.

• Serve as the primary accounting resource for cross-functional departments, providing guidance on general ledger questions, coding, classifications, and accounting treatment while resolving discrepancies efficiently.

• Ensure all operating, trust, and other firm bank accounts are reconciled accurately each month.

• Maintain complete and accurate reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts (prepaids, fixed assets/depreciation, accrued liabilities, intercompany, equity, etc.), including appropriate supporting schedules and documentation.

• Research, resolve, and document reconciling items promptly, escalating material issues to the Director of Finance with recommended solutions.

• Prepare complete, accurate, and timely monthly financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and all supporting schedules.

• Prepare departmental, case-level and key performance indicator (KPI) reports as requested to support business decision-making.

• Prepare meaningful variance analyses and financial commentary that anticipate leadership questions and provide actionable insights.

• Lead, coach, and develop general ledger and staff accountants by assigning work, establishing performance expectations, reviewing work product, and providing ongoing feedback.

• Partner with the Director of Finance and Human Resources to conduct performance evaluations, address performance concerns, and implement development or corrective action plans when appropriate.

• Build the technical capabilities and capacity of the accounting team to support the firm's continued growth and evolving financial needs.

• Continuously improve accounting processes, month-end close efficiency, documentation standards, and internal controls.

• Collaborate with IT and Operations to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of NetSuite and integrated financial systems, including interfaces with Litify.

• Maintain organized, audit-ready financial records and documentation that support internal controls and financial reporting standards.

• Exercise sound judgment while safeguarding confidential financial information and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

• Support financial audits and other external reporting requirements.

• Lead or contribute to special finance initiatives and strategic projects assigned by the Director of Finance taking ownership from planning through successful completion.

• Provide support and assistance to accounting team and firm leadership with routine tasks and projects.

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and full-cycle accounting.

• Demonstrated expertise in general ledger management, financial reporting, reconciliations, and month-end close.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop, motivate, and hold team members accountable.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with large transaction volumes and reconciling detail.

• Experience with NetSuite or comparable ERP systems; familiarity with Litify or other legal practice management software is preferred.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate financial information effectively to both accounting and non-accounting stakeholders.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated ownership and accountability, owing the GL and balance sheet as their own, not a task list.

• Attention to detail, catching and resolving discrepancies early.

• Sound professional judgment and integrity regarding confidential financial and trust account information.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.

• Willingness to perform any/all tasks as assigned by handling attorney, supervisor and/or firm leadership in support of the firm’s growth and success

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.

• CPA designation preferred; candidates actively pursuing CPA licensure will also be considered.

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience.

• At least two (2) years of supervisory or team leadership experience.

• Experience in a law firm, professional services organization, or private equity-backed company is preferred.

• Ability to remain seated and work at a computer for extended periods.

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication.

• Ability to occasionally lift and move office materials weighing up to 15 pounds.

• Ability to work extended hours during month-end close, year-end close, audits, or other business-critical deadlines as needed.

• Ability to work in a standard office environment with frequent computer and keyboard use.

We are a team and community-oriented personal injury law firm dedicated to winning for our clients who have had their lives turned upside down from injuries through no fault of their own. With multiple offices across Louisiana, we focus on ensuring people get maximum monetary compensation for various types of personal injuries or loss of a loved one from incidents like car wrecks, truck accidents, offshore, and workplace injuries. Our founders joined forces to build the premier law firm in Louisiana. With over 250 years of combined experience, our attorneys have earned a powerful reputation and have been nationally recognized as top trial lawyers. As a dedicated and high-performing team, we pride ourselves in our core values: All In, Work Hard, Play Hard, Honorable, Cutting Edge, Community, and Winners, Not Whiners. With all the proper tools in place, our mission is to stand up for our clients, stand with our community, stand by our work, and stand beside each other. You may begin your journey with Laborde Earles for many different reasons, but you stay for the team.

All In: Being fully committed to a task or endeavor. Giving 110% for the team and our common goals.

Work Hard, Play Hard: Emphasizing work life balance. Putting in the hard work for the clients that depend on us as well as turning work-mode off sometimes to add fun, laughter, and relaxation into our routines.

Honorable: Making moral and just decisions, having an ownership mentality, being reputable and respectable through your work product, client and teammate interactions, and personal and family life.

Cutting Edge: Having the most advanced or newest version of a product or service, ensuring that we are functioning at our highest capacity as a firm, both effective and efficient.

Community: Being a pillar for the surrounding area and the people within by rallying for and supporting them through giving back and volunteering. Supporting the constant growth and improvement of ourselves and each other.

Winners, Not Whiners: Being a team-player even when the going gets tough to support the goals of our team and the firm, maintaining a positive outlook through the day-to-day challenges and setbacks, celebrating the wins and successes, being willing to step in and help for the sake of the common goals we strive to achieve.