Settlement Accounting Specialist (Law Firm Experience Required)

Settlement Accounting Specialist

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Schedule: Onsite during initial training period; Hybrid schedule available after 30 days

Note: A minimum of 5 years of law firm accounting experience, specifically involving trust accounting and settlement fund management, is strictly required.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Settlement Accounting Specialist to join our team in Philadelphia, PA. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in legal accounting and trust account management within a law firm environment. This role oversees the end-to-end accounting and administration of settlement funds, ensuring strict accuracy, regulatory compliance, and timely distribution.

Candidates without prior law firm experience will not be considered.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of settlement accounting or legal accounting experience
  

• Law firm experience required
  

• Strong understanding of trust accounting rules and settlement fund management
  

• Proven track record handling complex attorney-client settlement distributions
  

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
  

• Proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Excel
  

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy
  

Preferred Skills

• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving ability
  

• In-depth knowledge of legal settlement accounting and trust compliance standards
  

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys, paralegals, and finance personnel
  

• High degree of professionalism and discretion with confidential data
  

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the full settlement accounting lifecycle from initial receipt through final disbursement
  

• Track and reconcile settlement funds to ensure complete accuracy and regulatory compliance
  

• Coordinate closely with attorneys to facilitate timely, authorized distributions
  

• Analyze court orders, recapitulations, and contingent fee agreements
  

• Prepare detailed distribution summaries and present them to attorneys for final sign-off
  

• Manage end-to-end settlement transactions, including:
  

  • Recording receipts
    

  • Booking attorney fees
    

  • Billing and recording hard/soft costs
    

  • Disbursing funds to the firm, clients, referral attorneys, and lienholders
    

• Transfer settlement funds to interest-bearing accounts when appropriate
  

• Maintain organized financial records and complete audit-ready supporting documentation
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform regular bank reconciliations across trust and settlement accounts
  

• Provide itemized cost breakdowns and financial documentation to legal teams upon request
  

• Audit draft court orders and recapitulations for numerical and procedural accuracy
  

• Process bi-monthly Concur expense uploads
  

• Manage monthly PaperCut (soft cost) uploads
  

• Execute monthly cost write-offs for closed matters
  

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package commensurate with experience.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Physical Demands: Standard office environment; extended periods of sitting, screen-based data analysis, document review, and typing. Occasional walking, standing, bending, and lifting up to 30 lbs.
  

• Information Security: Ability to maintain a secure, high-speed internet connection for hybrid work, comply with enterprise security measures (VPN, multi-factor authentication, endpoint controls), and maintain absolute confidentiality of client and firm records.