The Staff Accountant is responsible for supporting the financial operations of the law firm by maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance with legal accounting standards, managing trust accounting, assisting with billing processes, and supporting financial reporting. This role requires strong knowledge of law firm accounting practices, including client trust accounting (IOLTA), time and billing systems, and partnership structures.

Key Responsibilities

General Accounting Functions

• Prepare and post journal entries.
• Maintain general ledger and ensure accuracy of account balances.
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations.
• Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Maintain fixed asset schedules and depreciation entries.
• Monitor prepaid expenses and accruals.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.

Trust Accounting & IOLTA Compliance

• Manage client trust accounts in compliance with state bar regulations.
• Perform three-way trust reconciliations (client ledger, trust bank account, and general ledger).
• Monitor retainers and assist cash receipts department and AR to ensure proper application to invoices.
• Prepare trust disbursements and ensure proper authorization.
• Maintain detailed trust transaction records for audit purposes.

 Cash Management & Credit Card Reconciliation

• Reconcile operating and trust bank accounts.
• Monitor cash flow and report variances.
• Assist with monthly credit card reconciliations.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Assist in preparing monthly financial statements.
• Prepare supporting schedules and variance analyses.
• Support budget preparation and tracking with controller & department heads.
• Assist with partner compensation calculations (if applicable).
• Reconcile timekeeping data to financial reports
• Assist in tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) by attorney and practice group
• Prepare monthly productivity summaries for Controller and firm leadership

Compliance & Audit Support

• Ensure compliance with GAAP and law firm accounting standards.
• Support annual external audits and tax preparation.
• Maintain documentation for internal controls.
• Assist with state bar compliance reviews (trust accounts).
• Monitor regulatory and tax filing deadlines.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Utilize legal accounting software (Aderant).
• Identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements.
• Assist with system upgrades or financial data migrations.
• Maintain documentation of accounting procedures.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA or MBA preferred

Experience

• 2–5 years of accounting experience.
• Prior law firm or professional services experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with trust accounting and IOLTA compliance preferred.

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of GAAP.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP).
• Experience with legal billing and accounting software.
• Knowledge of partnership accounting preferred.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong communication skills for working with attorneys and staff.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kahana Feld provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Job Type

Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Work Location

Hybrid

Work Schedule

8:30am - 5:30pm Monday-Friday. Occasional weekends and holidays.

Salary Description 

$35.00 - $39.00/hour

Physical Requirements 

Primarily sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to walk short distances, and/or drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials. Work can be performed with or without accommodations.

Travel 

10-20% domestic travel by car and plane.