Director of Accounting

The Director of Accounting operates at the strategic leadership level, reporting to the CFO and overseeing all accounting functions across all the Firm's offices. The Director of Accounting is responsible for enhancing the effectiveness of the accounting operations of the team. The ideal candidate is a critical thinking, highly organized, and proactive leader with exceptional judgment, a deep understanding of financial operations in a professional services environment, and someone who is capable of operating in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Essential Functions

Strategic Financial Oversight
* Develop and implement firm-wide accounting policies and internal controls.
* Align accounting operations with the firm's strategic objectives and compliance requirements.
* Drive initiatives for financial and operational efficiency and risk mitigation.

Partnership Accounting and Tax Compliance
* Oversee all partner accounts for distributions, withholdings, and profit analysis
* Oversee federal, state, local, and international tax filings for the firm.
* Ensure timely preparation and distribution of Schedule K-1s for partners and quarterly tax estimates

Financial Reporting & Analysis
* Direct preparation of consolidated financial statements (income, balance sheet, cash flow).
* Oversee partner capital accounts and ensure accurate reporting for management and external stakeholders.
* Provide financial analysis to support executive decision-making and long-term planning.

Team Budgeting & Forecasting
* Lead annual budgeting process and periodic forecasting.
* Monitor team performance against budget and recommend corrective actions.
* Manage cash flow projections and liquidity planning.

Compliance and Audit
* Ensure adherence to GAAP and multi-jurisdictional regulatory requirements.
* Coordinate external audits and manage relationships with auditors.
* Oversee tax compliance and reporting obligations.
* Ensure adherence to IOLTA trust accounting rules.

Leadership & Team Development
* Support internal communications and change management efforts related to accounting operations.
* Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement within the Finance department.

Technology & Process Optimization
* Champion adoption of financial systems and automation tools.
* Benchmark processes against industry best practices for efficiency and accuracy.


Non-Essential Functions

* Work on projects as assigned by the Firm Chair, Firm Vice Chair, and CFO
* Complete other duties as assigned


Minimum Qualification

* Bachelor's degree required; MBA, CPA, or other relevant advanced degree strongly preferred.
* 10+ years of experience in accounting leadership, ideally in a law firm or professional services.
* Proven ability to lead complex projects and influence senior stakeholders.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Elite 3E and Power BI a plus


Success Factors

Executive Presence & Influence
* Ability to represent the CFO with professionalism and credibility in high-level meetings.
* Confidence and tact in communicating with senior partners, board members, and external stakeholders.
* Skilled at influencing without authority-guiding teams and driving initiatives through collaboration.

Emotional Intelligence
* High self-awareness and empathy to manage relationships and read the room effectively.
* Ability to handle sensitive information and navigate firm politics with discretion.
* Strong interpersonal skills to build trust across diverse teams and personalities.

Strategic Thinking
* Capacity to see the big picture while managing the details.
* Ability to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and align day-to-day operations with long-term goals.
* Comfort with ambiguity and change, especially in a dynamic legal and financial environment.

Communication Mastery
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for drafting executive-level materials.
* Ability to distill complex financial and operational concepts into clear, actionable insights.
* Skilled in active listening and facilitating productive dialogue across departments.

Organizational Agility
* Strong project management and prioritization skills to juggle multiple initiatives.
* Ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and manage time effectively.
* Resourcefulness in solving problems and removing roadblocks for the CFO and Finance team.

Collaboration & Relationship Building
* Ability to foster cross-functional partnerships with Legal Ops, IT, HR, and Practice Management.
* Skilled at creating alignment and shared ownership of strategic initiatives.
* A natural connector who builds bridges between departments and leadership levels.

Confidentiality & Judgment
* Unwavering discretion in handling sensitive financial and personnel matters.
* Sound judgment in decision-making and advising the CFO on internal dynamics.


Work Environment

* Position to be based in Washington DC with a requirement of at least 3 days in office
* Must be available to work beyond regular hours
* Must be able to work under tight deadlines and in stressful situations
* Non-smoking environment
* Must be able to comply with all safety requirements in our workplace


The anticipated base salary range for this position is $202,000 - $220,000. The actual base salary offered will be dependent upon the applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as other job-related factors, including but not limited to, relevant skills, education, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, geographic location.

Steptoe offers a full range of benefits for you and your eligible dependents. Benefits currently include: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, dependent care, health care flexible spending accounts, 401K Plan, Profit-Sharing, Paid Time-Off and a robust Wellness Program.

Steptoe LLP is an equal opportunity employer EOE/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any basis proscribed by applicable statutes.