Legal Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Dean Mead is seeking a Legal Accountant based out of our Orlando office. The Staff Accountant is responsible for supporting the firm's accounting and financial operations by overseeing key accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, legal billing, payroll administration, and trust accounting compliance. This role works closely with attorneys, legal staff, vendors, payroll providers, and firm leadership to ensure financial activities are processed accurately, timely, and in accordance with firm policies and legal industry requirements.

Founded in 1980, Dean Mead is a full-service business law firm with a reputation for delivering exceptional legal counsel and personalized client service throughout Florida. For more than 45 years, we have partnered with businesses, individuals, developers, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities to help them achieve their goals and navigate complex legal matters.

Today, Dean Mead is home to more than 50 attorneys across five offices in Orlando, Viera, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, and Naples. Our collaborative culture, commitment to excellence, and long-standing tradition of integrity have made us one of Florida's most respected business law firms.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accounting Operations: Support the firm's day-to-day accounting operations, including account reconciliations, month-end and year-end closing, maintenance of financial records, and continuous improvement of accounting processes and internal controls.
• Accounts Payable: Monitor the accounts payable function, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices, expense reimbursements, vendor payments, and compliance with firm approval policies.
• Accounts Receivable & Collections: Monitor accounts receivable and collections by reviewing aging reports, following up on outstanding balances, coordinating with attorneys, and resolving client billing issues.
• Legal Billing: Coordinate the legal billing process, including prebill review, client invoicing, billing adjustments, compliance with client billing guidelines, and maintenance of billing records and reporting.
• Trust Accounting (IOLTA): Administer client trust accounting by ensuring accurate trust transactions, reconciliations, regulatory compliance, and proper segregation of client and firm funds.
• Payroll Administration: Assist payroll administration by reviewing payroll data for accuracy, supporting audits and year-end reporting, and serving as liaison with payroll providers.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Prepare financial reports and supporting schedules, assist with budgeting, forecasting, audits, regulatory compliance, and provide financial analysis and operational reporting to firm leadership.
• Other Duties: Perform other accounting, financial, and administrative responsibilities as assigned in support of the firm's operations.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the qualifications below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please contact Dean Mead Human Resources.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 3-5 years of accounting experience required. Experience in a law firm or professional services environment strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite required. Experience with legal accounting and billing software preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, accounting best practices, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and financial reporting principles.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to maintain confidentiality, collaborate effectively across departments, and work independently.

Work Environment:

• This position reports to work in-person at our Orlando office.

Requirements: