Description

Senior Accountant/Controller

Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP, a leading Washington, DC area Intellectual Property law firm, is seeking a Senior Accountant.  This position will be responsible for a wide array of financial management duties in a high production environment for IP prosecution.  This position will be responsible for general accounting and finance functions.  The position is responsible for producing reports needed throughout the Firm, improving automation of reports, providing support for the accounting system, and performing senior level accounting work.  The position is a full-time, exempt position and will report directly to the Executive Director.  Must reside in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or West Virginia, but have the option to work remotely from home.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced accountant, especially one that has senior accounting experience in a CPA firm.  While titled a Senior Accountant, this position will be the highest level accounting position within the  and is a good transition for someone looking to work in a high level role outside of a CPA firm.  

Responsibilities and Duties

• Perform and review monthly accounting reconciliations
• Assist with banking renewals
• Work with outside CPA firms on work required for annual compilation and for annual retirement plan audit
• Help establish, monitor, and enhance accounting policies and procedures as needed.
• Help organize and maintain annual budget process. 
• Assist with researching accounting discrepancies/inquiries and follow-up with staff/attorney as necessary.
• Responsible for coordination of work amongst the accounting staff.  
• Assist with processing staff & associate payrolls (semi-weekly) and partner payrolls (semi-monthly) as necessary.
• Review file upload of participant’s 401K deductions to retirement plan’s web portal as necessary.
• Assist with database management and problem solving with respect to accounting databases.
• Maintain and help improve automation of offline excel accounting and billing databases.
• Work with administrators of docketing and other firmwide systems to enhance consistency and integration with the accounting databases. 
• Assist with firm-wide user support and troubleshoot issues with time and billing database.
• Assist with production and automation of numerous reports used throughout the Firm.
• Assist with preparation of ad hoc reports on client/assignee activity for partners as needed
• Prepare extensive productivity reports as requested
• Provide ad-hoc data relating to accounting and billing activities as requested
• Assist with quarterly commission reports and payments
• Assist with set up and maintenance of timekeeper billing rates and fixed fees as needed
• Assist with preparation of monthly Accounts Receivable report and schedule of bad debt
• Assist with reports, graphs, PowerPoint presentations for semi-annual partner meetings
• Assist with maintaining current and historical data related to partner compensation
• Assist with preparation of annual reports on billings by supervising attorney
• Consult with department managers and provide feedback/recommendations on procedural changes that affect the accounting group.
• Support the accounting and billing groups as necessary. 
• Participate in meetings involving new special billing arrangements or billing guidelines/procedures requested by client, determine feasibility of client's request, help develop strategy for implementation.
• Assist the billing group with quality review of invoices and special billing instructions as necessary.  
• Other duties as assigned.

The good faith base salary range for this position is $85,000 to $110,000 per year. The actual salary rate offered to candidates within that range will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, years of relevant experience, education, and the candidate’s overall qualifications for the position as assessed by the Firm.  

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package to include medical, dental, and vision insurance. Paid time off and paid holidays. Firm wide annual events and business casual environment. Access to nearby metro and free parking offered.

About BSKB:

Since 1976, BSKB has been providing a full range of intellectual property law services to clients in the areas of patent prosecution, post-grant review, litigation, opinions and counseling, design patents, trademarks and licensing. Our knowledgeable attorneys and agents hold advanced degrees and are experienced in the fields of chemistry, electronics and IT, mechanical engineering and life sciences/biotechnology.

We believe in offering every client quality, personalized service, and are committed to educating our clients to help them make the most of their intellectual property. BSKB has a rich tradition of offering seminars on intellectual property law that have been attended by practitioners from around the world.

For more information, visit bskb.com.  

Birch, Stewart, Kolasch, & Birch LLP is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunity to all applicants and employees in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity protected veteran status and individuals with disabilities, or any other class protected by applicable state or federal law.

Requirements

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in Accounting/Finance or related field required
• Minimum of 5 – 7 years of accounting and reporting experience  
• CPA designation required
• CPA firm experience preferred 
• Systems experience preferred.  
• Experience in an intellectual property law firm or professional services environment is a plus. 
• Solid knowledge of technical tools such as excel and report writing. 

Other Requirements 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Able to multitask by prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment and completing tasks under time pressure when necessary. 
• Strong attention to detail  
• Strong communication skills  
• Fundamental knowledge of accounting and billing policies and procedures. 
• Strong problem-solving skills with desire to study issues and formulate solutions. 
• Experience with setting up controls to ensure that work performed in different sections of accounting and billing are connected.     
• Normal BSKB business hours required. 
• Ability to work hours beyond the normal workday when necessary.