Financial Systems Sr. Accountant

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities:

• Trust  Management  (30% of time):
  • Automation and Reconciliation:  Streamline cash receipt and client payment processes by automating the reconciliation of payments received via wire, ACH, and check, ensuring all payments are accurately matched to corresponding invoices.
  • Trust Account Management:  Lead and complete projects to modernize and improve the efficiency of multiparty billing, Bordereaux (insurance loss reports), and trust account funds transfer processes. This includes optimizing the process of transferring money from trust accounts to operating accounts and client accounts.
  • Third-Party Administration (TPA):  Modernize and improve the billing and settlement processes for multi-party insurance clients, reducing AR and ensuring quick settlement and accurate reporting.
• Cash Management  (30% of time)
  • Transaction Management:  Manage high-volume cash transactions, ensuring accurate recording from bank statements to our financial management system, Aderant. Proactively propose software solutions and process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
    • Collaborate with the IT department and banks to enhance the integration of Aderant with our banking software, improving daily cash flow management and eliminating room for error.
  • Payment Research and Application:  Conduct thorough research on cash receipts with incomplete payment details, collaborating with attorneys, billers, and collectors to apply payments correctly to firm invoices.
    • Collaborate with the Accounts Payable (AP) team to report and apply cash receipts against client reimbursements using Aderant AP Imaging.
    • Use Aderant’s main system, the Collection Module or sequel reports to update teams of cash receipts.
  • Reporting and Forecasting:  Produce automated daily cash reports, highlighting variances, and forecasting upcoming accounts payable obligations. Recommend actions for effective cash management and financing as necessary.
    • Help Aderant digital dashboards for better cash management practices by implementing real-time visibility into cash positions, expected receipts, and disbursements.
• Automation and Process Improvement  (30% of time):
  • Financial Reporting Transformation:  Lead initiatives to automate and improve financial reporting, including the creation of monthly reports and partner dashboards within Aderant, reducing manual efforts and increasing accuracy.
  • System Integration:  Oversee the integration of ADP Payroll, Aderant, and Fidelity systems to streamline the monthly payroll reconciliation process and automate vendor payments.
  • Collection Module Implementation:  Coordinate the rollout of the Aderant Collection Module, working closely with collections, billing, and appeal teams to unify their processes and enhance communication.
• System Software Expertise  (5% of time):
  • Software Mastery:  Become the firm’s expert in Aderant Sierra, BillBlast, Dashboard, iTimekeep, Collection Module, and the Billing Module. Ensure these systems are fully leveraged for process improvement and efficiency across the finance department.
  • Dashboard Deployment:  Oversee the deployment of Aderant dashboards, providing partners with real-time access to key financial metrics such as cash flow, reports, budgeting, forecasting, WIP, AR, profitability, and KPI tracking.
• Cross-Functional Support (5% of time):
  • Collaboration:  Work closely with the IT department and banks to enhance the integration of Aderant with banking software, improving cash flow management and eliminating errors.
  • Training and Process Documentation:  Develop and deliver training programs for billers, collectors, and AP/AR teams on Aderant and related tools. Create comprehensive process maps and guides to ensure efficient use of new software modules, including banking feed automation and vendor payment systems. For example:
    • Automating  Banking feed (ACH, Billpay, wire for AP) and (automatically transferring data into Aderant from the bank for cash receipts)  to Firm’s Financial System.  Automate Aderant Data uploads to bank for AP (Positive Pay).  
    • Help lead and complete the project of rolling out the Aderant AP Image module and the integration of the AP Image and AP billing (disbursements) module so the billers can see the reimbursements
    • Help teach our Cash Receipt Person how to modernize and automate data transfer of cash receipts from the bank into Aderant, reducing manual steps and time needed for the cash receipt process.  
    • Help find a new automated reconciliation module that reduces the monthly reconciliation process time by half, ensuring quicker closing and reporting cycles.
• Add Value to Accounting
  • Show initiative and “value add” by carrying projects through to completion and strive for constant process efficiency / modernization improvement.  
  • Avoid sitting back and waiting to be told what project to take initiative on, prioritize, lead, or complete?  Look for opportunities to lead new projects and add value.
  • Perform other duties and functions as necessary for the Finance department and take the opportunity to show how you may add value in other areas of Finance.
  • Devote personal time to personally research, self-teach and learn Aderant, the collection Module, the AP module, Bill blast and any other software’s that are part of the projects you are expected to lead

Job Requirements:

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Expertise in Aderant:  Mastery of Aderant software, including BillBlast and iTimekeep, with the ability to optimize and integrate these tools.  Excel and macro proficiency is a plus.
• Strong Analytical and Technical Skills:  Proven experience in improving financial processes through technology, with a keen eye for detail.
• Effective Communication:  Ability to train and support non-technical staff, fostering collaboration across departments.
• Educational Background:  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or equivalent certification preferred.
• Leadership in Digital Transformation:  Demonstrated success in leading accounting-related digital transformation projects in a legal or similar professional setting.