Lead – Finance & Accounting Services

Latham & Watkins is one of the worlds leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers around the world. Our investment in people commitment to innovation and focus on the future empower you to build an incredible career and thrive as an exceptional professional in a supportive culture. If you aspire to be the best and work with the best this is where you belong.

The Lead Finance & Accounting Services United States is an integral part of Lathams Global Finance team. This role will be responsible for supporting U.S. practice offices and Global Finance through a combination of accounting expertise operational support process improvement and technology-enabled solutions while supporting Finance & Accounting Services across practice offices including budgeting expense management accounts payable nominal and recoverable costs charitable contributions and related non-billing activities. This role will be located in our New York office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Other key responsibilities include:

• Applying solid accounting principles financial controls and firm policies to review transactions research issues prepare analyses and resolve practice office and
• our Global Services Office requests
• Assisting with annual budget processes including compilation of inputs review of operational expenses variance and payee/department-level analysis and follow-up with local office and business contacts
• Reviewing and documenting finance and accounting processes to identify root causes control gaps training needs and opportunities to improve efficiency consistency and service quality across offices
• Participating in automation and technology initiatives (e.g. SharePoint and Power Platform workflows reporting enhancements) including business requirements user acceptance testing validation of outputs and post-implementation support
• Using Excel reporting tools and financial systems to analyze data identify trends or exceptions and prepare clear summaries for management review and stakeholder discussions
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive confidential privileged financial and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains
  

Wed love to hear from you if you:

• Exhibit analytical skills including the ability to interpret financial data analyze variances identify exceptions perform detailed reviews and summarize findings clearly
• Display a strong accounting foundation including the ability to understand analyze and apply accounting principles to financial transactions reconciliations reporting and operational decision-making
• Possess a high level of attention to detail with the ability to review and proofread work to ensure accuracy completeness and compliance

And have:

• A bachelors degree in Accounting Finance Business or related field
• A CPA CPA candidate or other relevant professional certification preferably
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in accounting finance audit financial operations or related professional services experience
• A minimum of five (5) years of cumulative experience
• Experience with budgeting financial analysis reconciliations accounts payable expense management reporting process documentation or financial systems preferably
• Experience participating in process improvement system implementation data analysis automation workflow or reporting initiatives preferably

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Lathams comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services mindfulness and resiliency medical resources well-being events and more)
• Professional development programs
• Employee discounts
• Affinity groups networks and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles) color religion sex age national origin sexual orientation gender identity veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era) gender expression marital status or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

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