Accounting Manager / Controller

Accounting Manager / Controller (Consulting Engagement)

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid/Remote; Texas-based preferred)
Engagement Type: Full-Time Consulting Assignment (Minimum 12 Months)

Position Overview

Cherry Bekaert is seeking an experienced Accounting Manager or Controller-level professional to support a high-profile law firm client based near Austin, TX. This consultant will serve as a key accounting leader during a critical transition period, working closely with the client's executive leadership and existing finance team.

This role is ideal for a hands-on accounting professional who thrives in complex environments, enjoys untangling operational accounting challenges, and possesses the interpersonal skills necessary to navigate a sensitive organizational transition. The engagement is expected to last at least 12 months and may ultimately evolve into a longer-term consulting relationship or permanent opportunity.

Position Summary

The Accounting Manager/Controller Consultant will act as the primary bridge between the law firm's leadership, incumbent finance personnel. The individual will become deeply involved in day-to-day accounting operations, document and transition institutional knowledge, improve accounting processes, and help create timely, accurate financial reporting.

A significant portion of the role will involve learning and documenting existing accounting procedures, supporting the completion and cleanup of historical accounting records, enhancing month-end close processes, and facilitating a smooth transition of accounting responsibilities over time.

Key Responsibilities

- Serve as the primary accounting liaison among client leadership and the finance function.

- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the firm's accounting operations, reporting requirements, and financial processes.

- Assist with the cleanup, reconciliation, and completion of historical accounting records and financial reporting.

- Support the accurate and timely month-end and year-end close processes.

- Identify process inefficiencies and implement improvements related to accounting operations, reporting, and internal controls.

- Document critical accounting procedures, workflows, and institutional knowledge.

- Work closely with existing finance leadership to facilitate knowledge transfer and succession planning.

- Coordinate with external tax professionals and other advisors to ensure financial information is complete and accurate.

- Analyze complex transactions and provide guidance on appropriate accounting treatment.

- Assist with cash management, banking activities, reconciliations, and financial reporting.

- Provide financial insights and reporting to client leadership and key stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

- 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.

- Prior experience in an Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, Controller, or similar leadership role.

- Strong operational accounting background with the ability to work independently and solve complex accounting issues.

- Experience managing month-end close, general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.

- Demonstrated ability to organize and improve accounting processes in a changing environment.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management abilities.

- Ability to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and diplomacy.

Preferred

- Experience within a law firm or legal services environment.

- Knowledge of law firm accounting practices, including:

Case cost accounting

- Capitalization of case-related expenditures

- Trust accounting and IOLTA accounts

- Contingency-fee accounting environments

- Experience supporting accounting transitions, succession planning, or organizational change initiatives.

- Prior consulting or outsourced accounting experience.

- CPA designation preferred but not required.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a hands-on accounting leader who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and working through accounting details while simultaneously helping improve the overall finance function.

This individual must possess:

- Strong technical accounting and operational finance capabilities.

- A process-improvement mindset.

- High emotional intelligence and professional maturity.

- The ability to gain trust and collaborate with long-tenured employees.

- Confidence to lead without creating unnecessary disruption.

- A consultative and solution-oriented approach to problem solving.

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