Trust & Probate Accountant

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced accounting professional to prepare fiduciary accountings for trusts, probate estates, and conservatorships in accordance with applicable state laws and court requirements. The ideal candidate possesses strong accounting skills, exceptional analytical abilities, and experience working with fiduciaries, attorneys, conservators, trustees, and financial institutions.

This position requires accuracy, organization, discretion, and the ability to manage multiple matters while meeting court deadlines and client expectations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare formal fiduciary accountings for: Trust administrations, Probate estates and Conservatorships and guardianships
• Analyze and reconcile bank, brokerage, investment, and other financial account activity.
• Classify receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, and asset transfers according to applicable accounting standards and court requirements.
• Prepare schedules of assets, liabilities, income, principal, expenses, and distributions.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies in financial records.
• Reconstruct accounting records from incomplete or complex financial documentation when necessary.
• Maintain accurate accounting workpapers and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with attorneys, trustees, executors, conservators, fiduciaries, and CPAs to obtain necessary financial information.
• Prepare accounting reports for court filings, beneficiary review, and settlement purposes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable statutes, local court rules, and fiduciary accounting standards.
• Assist with responses to beneficiary questions, court inquiries, and accounting objections.
• Maintain confidentiality of client financial information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Three or more years of accounting experience; fiduciary accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience preparing trust, probate, estate, or conservatorship accountings is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial statement preparation.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.
• Experience with accounting software such as QuickBooks or other general ledger systems.
• Ability to interpret bank statements, brokerage statements, trust records, and court documents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a law firm, CPA firm, fiduciary practice, trust department, or professional fiduciary office.
• Familiarity with court-approved fiduciary accounting formats and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of fiduciary income and principal accounting concepts.
• Experience with estate and trust administration.
• CPA designation, accounting certification, or equivalent professional experience is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Accuracy and consistency
• Professional judgment and discretion
• Strong organizational abilities
• Effective collaboration with legal and financial professionals
• Client service orientation
• Ability to manage confidential information