Assistant Controller POST NUMBER: 449266
A highly regarded personal injury law firm headquartered in Irvine area is seeking a skilled and experienced Assistant Controller to join its dynamic accounting team. This role plays a critical part in managing daily accounting operations under the direction of the Controller, with a strong focus on trust accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
The Assistant Controller will oversee all aspects of client trust accounting and financial transactions related to personal injury settlements, disbursements, and case expenses. This role supervises the trust accounting team and ensures strict compliance with accounting regulations and ethical guidelines. The ideal candidate will have a robust accounting background, meticulous attention to detail, and prior experience in a law firm environment, ideally in personal injury or contingency fee-based practices.
Trust Accounting
- Supervise the daily operations of the trust accounting department, including staff oversight, workflow management, and deadlines.
- Oversee all client trust account transactions (deposits, disbursements, wire transfers).
- Ensure timely, accurate disbursement of settlements, attorney fees, lien payments, and client refunds.
- Maintain compliance with applicable State Bar trust accounting rules and internal policies.
- Conduct monthly three-way trust reconciliations; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
- Review settlement statements and disbursement ledgers for accuracy.
- Manage trust account audits and regulatory inquiries.
- Develop, document, and improve trust accounting procedures and internal controls.
- Coordinate with attorneys, case managers, and lien resolution teams on case financials.
- Train, mentor, and evaluate trust accounting team members.
- Assist with preparation of financial statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) in accordance with GAAP.
- Deliver accurate financial and KPI reports to leadership.
- Ensure integrity and transparency in reporting practices and internal controls.
- Oversee reconciliations (bank accounts, audit schedules, tax filings with third parties).
- Prepare and post journal entries to record financial transactions properly.
- Manage AP/AR cycles, including vendor invoicing, collections, and revenue recognition.
- Lead ad hoc projects and strategic initiatives assigned by the CFO.
- Assist in preparing annual budgets and financial forecasts.
- Process biweekly payroll.
- Support the Financial Controller in calculating quarterly commissions.
- Generate Salesforce-based KPI and financial reports.
- Oversee wire transfers and ACH distributions.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- Minimum 2-3 years of accounting experience within a law firm; personal injury or contingency fee-based preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of trust accounting rules and regulatory compliance Required.
- CPA (active or inactive) strong plus.
- At least 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience.
- Highly organized with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in accounting software such as QuickBooks and/or NetSuite.
- Advanced Excel skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; capable of working cross-functionally in a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.
- Experience managing multi-jurisdictional trust accounts.
- Familiarity with lien resolution, settlement processing, and case cost accounting.
- Experience with regulatory audits and financial reviews.
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Performance-based discretionary bonus.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with employer match.
- Paid time off, holidays, and various company perks.
- Opportunities for ongoing professional development.
- Fully onsite role
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan.
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
Privacy Notice
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.