Williams & Connolly LLP, a leading national law firm, is recruiting for the position of Deputy Director of Finance and Accounting. This position is expected to bring exceptional leadership, oversight, and enhancement to core finance and accounting areas. The Deputy Director of Finance and Accounting works in close partnership with the Director of Finance and Accounting, Managing Partner, Executive Director, and the Finance Chair of the Executive Committee to provide balanced fiscal strategies and operational accounting excellence, while fostering collaboration, innovation, and transparency. Success in this role with be measured by effective financial stewardship, an innovative approach to firm finances, general operational oversight, and strong collaboration, as well as excellent written and presentation skills, with a keen ability to effectively engage with both internal customers and external clients.
Reporting directly to the Director of Finance and Accounting, the Deputy Director of Finance and Accounting, will help to oversee the financial and accounting functions of the firm and will serve as a trusted, strategic advisor to firm leadership on finance-related matters. The Deputy Director of Finance and Accounting will serve as a collaborative partner, working with other administrative leaders, to further firm financial goals and outcomes. In addition to driving operational and financial excellence, the Deputy Director leads a highly experienced and client-focused finance and accounting team that includes direct supervision of three team members and plays a critical role in the core areas of: finance, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial systems, general ledger, billing, taxes, treasury, and cash applications.
The Deputy Director's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Responsible for Federal, state and local taxes of the partnership including:

• Monitoring changes in state income tax laws that would require the partnership to file and pay state and local taxes;
• Calculating and paying estimated taxes to the states and local jurisdictions;
• Ensuring the Federal, state and local income tax returns are filed prior to the due date;
• Supervising the Tax, Qualified Benefits and Compensation Accounting Manager.

Plan, organize and attend the firm's annual audit of financial statements and internal controls conducted by external auditors, including:

• Establishing internal controls to ensure compliance with both internal policies and external regulatory requirements;
• Identifying and implementing accounting structure, policies, safeguards, and systems to provide efficient and cost-effective service.

Direct the cash disbursement functions including:

• Supervising the Accounts Payable Manager;
• Processing payment of the firm's invoices by check, credit card, purchasing card, and electronic payments.
• Review and approve distributable net income calculations for each partner monthly and make direct deposits of the partners" net pay into their bank accounts.

Oversee qualified retirement plans including 401(k), profit sharing, and defined benefit plans, including the following responsibilities:

• Ensure plans operate in accordance with plan documents, IRS, and DOL requirements.
• Supervise outside auditors for the annual audits of plans.
• Coordinate annual filing of Form 5500s, ensuring forms are accurate and filed timely.
• Ensure the annual requirement for disclosures to participants is accurate and delivered to participants by the required date.
• Supervise calculation of lump sum payments from the defined benefit plan for partners approaching normal retirement age or contemplating resignation from the partnership.
• Participate in quarterly meetings of the Pension Plan Committee.

Responsible for the administration of the unfunded retirement plan for retired partners, including calculating the benefits in accordance with the partnership agreement and notifying retired partners of changes in net payments annually and as needed.
Respond to ad hoc requests for finance-related information, reports, and analyses, including:

• Offering sound financial facts, analyses, and observations to inform and support the firm's operational and strategic position;
• Supervise Legal Pricing and Financial Analysis Manager, ensuring timely and meaningful management reports, metrics, tools, trends, communication regarding adverse developments, revenue forecasts, etc.;
• Prepare and distribute monthly reports to partners on monthly and year-to-date income and deductions from income.

Supervise preparation of annual budget for the firm as well as the Finance and Accounting Department. Responsible for the financial records of the firm.
Serve as backup to, and perform the duties of the Director of Finance and Accounting when absent.
The successful candidate will have the ability to handle all aspects of financial management, regulatory and financial reporting, projections and budgets, as well as development and oversight of internal control policies and procedures. Expert knowledge and experience with strategic planning, negotiating, budgeting, professional services billing and collections, accounting principles and financial analysis. Excellent leadership skills, business acumen, and ability to effectively manage, lead and supervise a multidisciplinary team with firm-wide impact. An ability to create and foster a culture of agility and innovation that supports creative thinking and improves upon existing processes and services. Demonstrated executive-level communication and influencing skills with the ability to resolve issues, build consensus among groups of diverse internal/external customers. Strong communication skills, including demonstrated experience in analyzing and synthesizing how data-informed decisions are being made. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and creating and maintaining inclusive learning and work environments. Demonstrated success in building, leading, and supporting teams and working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels of an organization. Strong technology skills including experience with Aderant Expert, PowerPoint, and Excel, attention to detail, and the ability to handle both daily functions as well as more complex projects.
Educational and Other Requirements: Master of Business Administration and Certified Public Accountant. Previous progressive experience of ten years or more in a management position in finance and accounting at a professional services company, preferably a law firm. Physical requirements include working in person at the firm's office for long periods of time, working on a computer, with intricate, sensitive, and confidential data.