Accounting & Finance Manager

An established Houston-based immigration law firm is looking for a hands-on Accounting & Finance Manager to join their remote team. This firm is dedicated to providing high-level legal guidance to individuals fleeing persecution who are seeking safety and a new beginning in the United States. In this role, you will be the cornerstone of the firm’s financial health, ensuring that the organisation remains stable and compliant while it pursues its humanitarian mission.

About the role

This is a strategic yet tactical position that requires a candidate comfortable moving between high-level financial planning and the day-to-day nuts and bolts of accounting. Because the firm operates within the legal sector, this role carries significant responsibility regarding trust accounting and regulatory compliance. You will work closely with existing staff and external service providers to ensure the financial heartbeat of the firm remains steady.

The firm is looking for a self-starter who can take ownership of the financial lifecycle. You won’t just be recording history; you will be analysing trends, improving processes, and providing the financial visibility that leadership needs to make informed decisions.

What you’ll do

You will be expected to manage the full spectrum of the firm’s financial operations. Your primary duties will include:

• **Financial Oversight:** Managing daily accounting tasks, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll administration.
• **Reporting and Analysis:** Preparing and reviewing monthly financial statements, performing cash flow forecasting, and identifying areas for improved profitability.
• **Compliance and Control:** Maintaining rigorous standards for trust accounting (IOLTA), ensuring all legal financial requirements are met, and enforcing internal controls to safeguard firm assets.
• **Process Improvement:** Owning the billing and collections cycle, finding ways to make the process more efficient, and resolving any outstanding financial discrepancies.
• **Strategic Support:** Coordinating tax reporting efforts and acting as the primary point of contact for financial inquiries within the organisation.

What they’re looking for

The firm requires a professional who is not only technically proficient but also possesses the resilience and organisational skill needed to thrive in a busy legal environment.

• **Educational Background:** A Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting is essential.
• **Experience:** A minimum of five years of progressive experience in finance or accounting roles.
• **Sector Expertise:** Specific experience in managing trust/IOLTA accounts and reconciliations is a non-negotiable requirement for this position.
• **Technical Literacy:** High proficiency in modern accounting software and financial reporting tools.
• **Soft Skills:** Strong analytical capabilities, excellent communication, and the ability to juggle multiple competing priorities without dropping the ball.

For a South African professional, this remote role offers a unique opportunity to work within the American legal ecosystem while working from home. Roles of this nature—managing the full financial suite of a professional services firm—typically require a high level of accountability and autonomy. In the South African market, Finance Managers at private firms generally find that roles involving trust accounting compliance (similar to attorneys’ trust accounts in SA) command competitive packages due to the specialised regulatory knowledge involved. As firms continue to digitise their operations, a solid background in cloud-based accounting and cross-border financial reporting is an excellent skill set for long-term career growth.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Experience managing trust/IOLTA accounting and reconciliations.
• Strong proficiency with accounting software and financial reporting tools.
• Organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced law firm environment.