Temporary Senior Accountant

About Us

Finnegan is more than just a law firm – we are a powerhouse of innovation and strategy growth.  We pride ourselves on providing top-tier intellectual property services globally.  Our success is rooted in our emphasis on relationships with our clients and each other.  We care about every individual, and it is why many professionals have spent their entire careers at Finnegan.

Role Overview

The Senior Accountant supports the Controller and Accounting Manager with higher level accounting analytics, Financial Statement Preparation and Tax Workpaper Preparations for both US and International reporting. 

Responsibilities

• Prepares monthly financial statements and bank covenant compliance package
• Assists with maintaining the firm’s general ledger accounts. Maintains spreadsheets to support balances contained on the general ledger.
• Prepares account reconciliation on cash and accrual basis in local currency and in USD.
• Works with Staff Accountant to monitor and account for capital additions and disposals and in the preparation of personal property tax returns in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
• Assists with month end close process and analysis of budget variances and unusual account activity.
• Recognizes and reports issues to firm leadership as appropriate.
• Assists with preparation of annual operating and capital budgets.
• Assists with the preparation of schedules for the firm’s annual financial statement audit.
• Assists with workpapers and documents as needed for our local tax and financial statement reporting requirements in in Japan, Taiwan, China, London, Korea, Australia, and any other international locations where filings are required.
• Ensures understanding of the various types of meals and entertainment and other disallowances and applies the tax deduction limitation rules so that the firm’s annual disallowance for such meals is reported accurately.
• Proposes and supports implementation of changes in internal procedures to better classify and record meals and other limited deduction expenses.
• Supports Financial Services managers with reports and analysis for accurate tax accounting and return preparation.
• Special projects as designated from Financial Services managers.
• Provides support in supervising and reviewing the work of staff/interns, either directly or indirectly.
• Serves as a backup for cash receipts processing and conducts final reviews of required vendor setup forms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent years of experience required.
• A minimum of four years of experience in either public accounting or in private industry, preferably within a law firm or other professional services entity. Audit background is preferred but exposure to partnership taxation issues a strong plus as well.
• Experience in supervising and reviewing the work of staff/interns, either directly or indirectly.
• Familiarity with cash and accrual accounting using Elite (or other law firm accounting software) in a multi-currency, multi-company environment
• 2-4 years of experience with developing, performing and analyzing quantitative operational data, preferably in a law firm or other professional services environment
• Previous experience in preparing financial reports and/or advanced general ledger (GL) reporting.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office Suite with advanced Excel and database skills.
• Experience with financial software applications, inclusive of Business Intelligence, FRx, Sage FAS Fixed Assets, DF Tech, and Adobe Acrobat; ability to quickly learn and adapt to new applications, systems, and related technologies
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a sense of urgency and commitment to accuracy and the ability to handle ambiguity and lead areas of responsibility with minimal supervision
• Expert command of general ledger functions within a law firm setting.
• Strong written and oral communications skills and ability to use same to explain accounting type information to firm personnel at all levels within the firm.
• Strong attention to detail, initiative and the ability to follow up and follow through; excellent organizational, interpersonal, collaboration, communication and customer service skills; and ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Self-starter who can work independently and in a team environment.

Join Finnegan where your skills will drive success of one of the world’s leading IP law firms.

The role is a temporary role based in our Washington, DC office, and requires a hybrid/onsite work schedule. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

Finnegan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The firm is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment, as defined by applicable state and federal laws, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws. For candidates needing reasonable accommodations or assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at 202.216.5400.

Our privacy policy for applicants can be found here.

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