Assistant Controller

With 500+ professionals and 350+ business professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP (www.manatt.com), is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The Firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the Firm to provide a distinct and compelling value proposition.

Position Overview

The Assistant Controller is a key leadership role within the Accounting & Finance Department, acting as the operational bridge between the Controller and the Payroll and Accounting Managers. This position is responsible for overseeing core accounting operations, ensuring the integrity of operational and financial  performance, and driving continuous process improvements. The Assistant Controller will supervise the Accounting Manager and Payroll Manager; and will collaborate closely with the Controller to implement best practices, maintain internal controls, support strategic financial initiatives while supporting a team with diverse professional strengths through clear, hands‑on leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Accounting Manager to oversee daily accounts payable operations, ensuring timely, accurate invoice processing and disbursements in adherence to company policies and internal control procedures.

• Oversee the firm’s cash flow and treasury functions, including liquidity monitoring, cash forecasting, and implement cash management strategies and policies that safeguard funds and uphold the firm’s financial stability and liquidity targets.

• Maintain and implement robust internal control systems and enforce accounting policies and procedures to safeguard assets and ensure regulatory compliance to continuously strengthen compliance and financial controls.

• Work closely with the Payroll Manager to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing in compliance with current federal, state, and local labor laws.

• Review of the semi-monthly multi-state payroll register to ensure accuracy and compliance prior to payroll submission.

• Support the budgeting and forecasting processes, including variance analysis and reporting for departmental managers and office administrators.

• Drive process improvements and streamline accounting operations, incorporating AI and automation when appropriate to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

• Participate in special projects as assigned by the Controller, including system upgrades, and cross-functional initiatives.

• Monitor progress toward team goals, ensure accountability, and keep the department aligned with organizational priorities.

• Serve as a strong people leader who fosters a collaborative, high‑performance team environment, providing interpersonal guidance, coaching, and professional development support for direct reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required; CPA or advanced degree preferred.

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory responsibilities.

• Experience in a professional services environment preferred.

• Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting.

• Proficiency with accounting and financial systems (e.g., Aderant, Workday, Vena) strongly preferred; experience with Emburse a plus.

• Advanced experience in Microsoft Suite (e.g., with focus on advanced Excel skills)

• Experience with treasury operations, including management of cash, bank accounts, and related reconciliations.

• Knowledge and hands‑on experience with multi‑state payroll requirements, with the ability to review payroll registers and identify state‑specific discrepancies.

• Strong people leadership skills, including a proven ability to lead, coach, and develop team members with diverse professional strengths.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Excellent analytical, organizational skills.

• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills.

• The role requires a hands-on approach, strong attention to detail, and the ability to drive change in a dynamic environment.

• High level of integrity, discretion, and judgment.

• Demonstrated reliability and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a hybrid (remote and in-office) team environment The Firm operates on a hybrid work schedule requiring three days of in‑office presence and two days of remote work each week. All employees must remain available for onsite work up to five days per week as business needs dictate. This schedule is subject to change; flexibility is required.

The base annual pay range for this role is between $180,000 - $215,000.  The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience, location and will also take into account internal equity.  A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.

This employer will provide the Social Security Administration  (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security  (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking  adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. 

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or  to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the  choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid,  this employer uses E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).