Phelps Dunbar LLP is an AmLaw 200 full-service law firm. The Accounting Specialist is responsible for the timely and accurate processing, recording and reporting of all trust related transactions, including foreign and domestic trust accounts. This position is to ensure that all aspects of clients trust accounts are handled in accordance with the American Bar Association and the respective state bar association requirements, as well as the policies and procedures established by the Firm. This position is responsible for managing multiple client trust bank accounts. 

The Accounting Specialist should be goal and accomplishments oriented. The Accounting Specialist must be aware of the time sensitivity of all transactions and be extremely detail oriented, which includes meeting both internal and external reporting deadlines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of industry standards.
• Demonstrate ability to apply knowledge to achieve firm and departmental goals and objectives.
• Effective communication with clients, attorneys and team members.
• Proper handling of clients’ claims and achieving favorable results.
• Professionalism and quality of service to clients.
• Timely handling of reports.
• Process funds, check or wire, as received in accordance with firm policy. This includes the verification of funds received with the third party foreign trust administrator.
• Prepare all disbursements accurately and timely from trust accounts that are processed in New Orleans, including the necessary follow-up with banking institutions regarding wire transfers.
• Verify availability of funds in client trust accounts for all trust disbursement requests.
• Request documentation for client trust disbursements, as needed.
• Ensure that trust transactions generated by or processed in regional offices are recorded accurately and timely, which includes transactions posted centrally and those posted in the regional offices.
• Post trust receipts for the regional offices as received.
• Verify availability of funds for regional offices when requested.
• Maintain a record of all trust accounts which includes information such as billing attorney, authorized signers, bank account, file/matter number, client name, and trust type.
• Reconcile and resolve all unidentified receipts in an accurate and timely manner. This includes the file identification and transfer of foreign trust receipts to the appropriate bank account and file number.
• Assist in preparing annual Form 1099’s related to Trust transactions in accordance with regulatory rules and regulations.
• Perform inquiries on Trust accounts in an accurate and timely manner.
• Assist in the reconciliation of bank accounts as needed.
• Perform all duties in a professional, polite, and courteous manner.
• Complete special projects as assigned in an accurate and timely manner.