Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller to serve as a key financial leader, responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls. Reporting to firm leadership, the Assistant Controller will manage the day-to-day financial functions of the firm, with a primary focus on the accounting close process, while providing insight to support sound decision-making and long-term growth. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in law firm or professional services finance, a commitment to accuracy and compliance, and a proactive approach to process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and General Ledger

• Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger maintenance, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Lead the month-end and year-end close, preparing accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Reconcile bank statements and balance sheet accounts, post journal entries and accruals, managing intercompany transactions, and producing financial reporting packages for firm leadership.

Billing, Collections, and Revenue Cycle Management

• Oversee firmwide billing and invoicing processes, monitor accounts receivable and aging reports, and develop and enforce collections strategies to optimize the firm’s revenue cycle.
• Analyze realization and utilization rates by attorney and practice group and work with attorneys and staff to ensure timely and accurate billing.

Budgeting and Financial Analysis

• Assist firm leadership with annual budget development.
• Provide financial analysis as needed to support decision-making.

Internal Controls and Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain financial controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard firm assets and ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains compliance with trust accounting rules and serving as the primary liaison for external auditors during annual financial audits.

Payroll and Benefits Administration

• Oversee payroll processing and related journal entries, coordinate accurate benefit and deduction maintenance.
• Ensure payroll compliance and audit-ready documentation.

Team Leadership and Development

• Manage and mentor members of the accounting team.
• Conduct performance evaluations and implement training plans
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing department culture.

Technology and Process Improvement

• Evaluate and improve accounting systems and processes.
• Support technology upgrades and automation initiatives
• Strengthen reporting capabilities to enhance operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent years’ experience.
• 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience, with 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Solid, demonstratable understanding of GAAP.
• Proven proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, formulas).
• Experience with accounting systems.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Preferred

• CPA or CPA candidate.
• Experience in law firm / professional services accounting.
• Experience using SurePoint and/or NetDocuments.

Core Competencies

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Strong communication skills
• High level of integrity and confidentiality
• Team-oriented with a proactive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple priorities

Employment Type

• Full-Time

Location

• Chicago, IL, hybrid

Benefits

Firm contributes to voluntary medical, dental, and vision plans. Offers FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits. Firm-paid STD & LTD. Retirement savings plan. Unlimited PTO.

Croke Fairchild is WBE Certified and a member of the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF).

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of CFDB not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This applies to all employment decisions.

About Us

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres is a growing law firm headquartered in Chicago, with a team of over 100 attorneys and staff. Formed by partners who worked at preeminent international law firms, with a deep bench of sophisticated and experienced corporate lawyers and litigators, our team provides exceptional legal service while affording our clients the benefits of working with an agile and entrepreneurial-minded team of results-oriented, well-rounded professionals. We are driven by our core values: humility, respect, collaboration, partnership, and innovation.

We represent a diverse group of interesting clients, which include private equity firms, founders, startups, venture capital investors, family offices and public companies (among others), in sophisticated and complex legal matters and transactions.

Point of Difference Strategies is one of the largest lobbying and government affairs firms in Illinois. With offices in Chicago and Springfield, PoDS offers top-tier government affairs and lobbying services at the federal, state, and local levels. PoDS proudly serves a diverse client base, including local governments, trade organizations, Fortune 100 companies, and nonprofits.

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres and Point of Difference Strategies partner in providing the best, most comprehensive legal and government affairs services to their clients.