What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Accountant position at Palmer Legal Staffing?
Pay: $80,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Position Summary:
The Staff Accountant supports the firm’s financial operations by performing day-to-day accounting functions in accordance with GAAP and applicable legal accounting standards. This role plays a critical part in maintaining accurate financial records, supporting billing and trust accounting, and ensuring compliance with law firm and regulatory requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
General Accounting
- Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts
- Prepare and post journal entries
- Assist with month-end and year-end close processes
- Perform bank, credit card, and account reconciliations
- Prepare financial statements and internal reports
- Provide outside accounting firm with various reports
- Follow outside accounting firm instructions for filing federal and state tax filings
Law Firm-Specific Accounting
- Assist with client billing, accounts receivable, and collections
- Assist with accounts payable, including vendor and expense reimbursements
- Support trust/IOLTA accounting and ensure compliance with state bar requirements
- Monitor client retainers
- Coordinate with billing and legal teams to resolve accounting discrepancies
Compliance & Controls
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, firm policies, and applicable regulations
- Assist with internal and external audits
- Maintain accurate documentation and accounting records
- Support implementation and maintenance of internal controls
Reporting & Analysis
- Prepare routine financial and management reports
- Assist with budgeting and forecasting activities
- Analyze variances and identify discrepancies
Other Duties
- Support ad hoc accounting projects as assigned
- Provide backup support to other finance team members
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
- 3-5 years of accounting experience preferred (law firm or professional services environment a plus)
Skills & Competencies
- Knowledge of GAAP and basic accounting principles, required
- Familiarity with law firm accounting practices, including IOLTA rules, a plus
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Aderant, Elite, QuickBooks, or similar)
- Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP preferred)
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
Work Schedule
The Staff Accountant will work full-time on a regular schedule during standard firm business hours.This position will work in the office 5 days per week, moving to a hybrid schedule after 90 days, or when approved by Executive Director. This position will be required to work on site 5 days per week during the year-end process. The ability to work remotely is subject to change based on the needs of the firm.
How To Apply: Please respond with your resume for consideration. We welcome all candidates that meet the REQUIRED qualifications with recent relevant experience. Palmer Legal Staffing is an equal opportunity employer.
About Us: Palmer is an award winning staffing agency offering direct hire, temp-to-hire, and temporary placements for administrative, management, executive, legal and more. We represent more than 500 of the finest law firms and legal departments in the D.C. area.
Palmer Google Reviews = 4.7 stars, visit online to see what other Palmer candidates have to say about us. You are more than just a “number”!
Visit www.plsdc.com and view our job board, contact a recruiter, link to our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
Salary : $80,000 - $120,000