4459 - Controller - Professional Services

The Controller is responsible for the accuracy of the firm's financial statements. This position manages Accounting and Payroll professionals. In addition, the Controller works closely with the General Counsel's office to protect the interests of the firm and remain compliant and reduce the risk of fraud. The Controller is a senior member of the Finance team and assists the Chief Financial Officer with overall firm financial leadership. A hybrid work schedule is available for this position.

This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer. This position directly supervises the Assistant Controller and the Manager, Payroll and Partner Compensation.

A career at Nixon Peabody is the opportunity to do work that matters. It's the chance to use your knowledge to shape what's ahead. To share, to innovate, to learn at a firm that taps the power of collective thinking.

We've created a dynamic, energizing environment that promotes success for our clients and each other. We offer fast growth, connectedness and training in business as well as law. And our rigorous standards assure you are part of a diverse team of top talent at every turn.

If you're someone who's looking toward the future, we'd love to hear from you.

Location: Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Melville, NY; New York City, NY; Providence, RI; Rochester, NY; Washington, DC

General Accounting and Financial Operations

• Manages core financial functions: General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Partner Compensation, Payroll, & Payroll Compliance.
• Responsible for the development, implementation, and compliance with the firm's finance policies.
• Manages and forecasts the firm's daily cashflow ensuring that firm debt is consistently minimized.
• Leads monthly and calendar and fiscal year-end closing processes, including scenario modeling and what-if and risk communication to the CFO.

Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Manages all firm domestic and international audits, including auditor selection and partnership.
• Oversees banking relationships for multiple firm accounts and client trust accounts, including international accounts.
• Assists firm attorneys as needed on client trust account use and controls.
• Collaborates closely with the Tax department to ensure all financial activities consider tax implications and compliance requirements.
• Develops and maintains procedures, communications, and education programs to reduce financial fraud risk, monitoring industry trends and implementing controls.

Budgeting, Analysis, and Expenditure Oversight

• Manages the Controller group's budget, including depreciation, amortization, bank fees, etc.
• Collaborates with all Finance leaders to gain a comprehensive understanding of departmental budgets, assessing the impact on financial statements and expenditure approvals.
• Attends annual budget meetings and quarterly budget review meetings to actively participate in budget planning and monitor progress.
• Prepares various partner compensation analyses for potential lateral partners as well as proposed changes to the firm's partner compensation model.
• Acts as a key approver of large firm expenditures.

Strategic Leadership and Process Improvement

• Handles complex and sensitive issues such as fraud investigations, potential merger analyses and potential business changes, providing recommendations and action plans.
• Develops and oversees strategies for process improvements and problem resolution.
• Drives continuous improvement and best practices in accounting, payroll, procurement, and tax operations, staying current with new market, economic, regulatory, and business trends.

Team Leadership and Culture

• Leads the team's engagement program, fostering a team-oriented, client-focused culture. Collaborates closely with leader and peers to identify and implement initiatives that improve satisfaction scores, ensuring a high level of engagement and professional excellence across the finance department.

Additional Leadership Roles

• Serves as Treasurer of Nixon Peabody Trust Company
• Serves as Chief Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) for Nixon Peabody International.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential job responsibility listed above, satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Nixon Peabody retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. The requirements listed below are representative of the skills and abilities required.

• Minimum of 10 years in a financial leadership role.
• Law or professional service experience a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance. Preferred MBA and/or CPA.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong management and employee development skills.
• Strategic thought leadership.
• Strong computer proficiency and excellent mathematical skills. Advanced level proficiency in Excel.

Nixon Peabody LLP is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: Disability / Veteran. Nixon Peabody is committed to creating a fair workplace and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To comply with Federal law, Nixon Peabody participates in E-Verify. All newly hired employees are verified through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm their identity and employment eligibility. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work posters on the Nixon Peabody Careers page for more information.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, the anticipated annual salary range for this position, depending on location, is as follows:

• Providence, RI: $178,500 to $275,000
• Rochester, NY: $178,500 to $275,000
• Boston, MA: $196,500 to $302,500
• Chicago, IL: $196,500 to $302,500
• Washington, DC: $196,500 to $302,500
• Long Island, NY: $216,000 to $332,750
• New York, NY: $216,000 to $332,750

In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on an array of factors, including but not limited to: work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications. Because such contingent compensation is not yet calculable or may be zero ($0) in some circumstances, the above-listed salary range(s) are Nixon Peabody's good faith estimate of the annual salary(ies) it reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of this posting.

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