Vorys is a growing 100+ year old AmLaw 200 firm seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead our Finance teams and businesses into the future!
This role, with the support of external experts and consultants, leads the financial processes for the Firm and multiple successful ancillary businesses with employees and partners located in 3 countries, 10 offices, and 18 states.
We have a client focused culture that values people, relationship and collegiality; this results in long-term business success and career longevity. If you like variety, change and the opportunity to find solutions to unique financial, accounting and tax situations, we’d love to talk with you!
Position Summary:
The Chief Finance Officer provides overall leadership and vision for all financial aspects of the Firm and ancillary businesses in consultation with the Managing Partner and/or Partner in Charge of Operations. The areas of oversight for the position include: management of the Financial Group and all of its functions, leading the tax and financial regulatory compliance, increasing the Firm’s profitability, and protecting the Firm’s assets. It is preferred the role be based in the Columbus, Ohio office.
Essential Functions:
- Oversee accurate and timely accounting and billing for the Firm by managing the A/P, A/R, Billing, Budgeting, Taxation, Accounting, Pricing, and Financial Analysis functions.
- Manage the Firm’s internal reporting, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports. Provide Management Committee financial updates, including quarterly reports, budget presentations, and rate setting presentations.
- Oversee the accounting and financial controls for the firm’s ancillary businesses both domestic and international.
- Manage the firm’s tax and regulatory compliance, including federal, state, local, and international tax compliance.
- Lead the senior finance staff and oversee the personnel needs of the entire Financial Group.
- Assist the Rates, Fees and Engagements Committee in the annual billing rate setting process. Analyze the Firm’s rates in comparison with industry peers along with measuring the economic impact of the Firm’s aggregate rates for the coming year.
- Provide financial analysis to Firm Management. Perform profitability studies and cost control analysis, working in conjunction with the Firm’s other departments and the partner in charge of operations. Measure the financial impact of mergers and acquisitions, office lease analysis, and other ad hoc requests.
- Lead the financial and regulatory efforts for all international and multi-currency financial efforts working with external experts and consultants.
- Oversee all treasury functions of the Firm. Maintain banking relationships and manage the Firm’s credit and depository needs including such functions as the Firm’s lines of credit, lock boxes, credit cards, and checking and IOLTA trust accounts.
- Manage the financial aspects of the Firm’s insurance and investment needs. Evaluate and purchase the Firm’s property/casualty, directors and officers, employment practices liability, and cyber insurance arrangements. Provide analysis and reporting to Committees that oversee other insurance and investment aspects of the Firm including the Insurance and Investments Committees.
- Protect the Firm’s Assets. Establish and maintain the internal controls of the Financial Group and the Firm as a whole. Ensure there are adequate separation of duties, proper procedures and policies encompassing cash management and identifying and correcting potential internal control weaknesses.
- Increase the Firm’s profitability through effective pricing of Firm billing matters. Work with the Rates, Fees and Engagements (RFE) Committee and the Firm’s Pricing Director to maximize Firm profitability by maintaining margins consistent with industry standards while simultaneously preserving client relationships.
- Increase the Firm’s revenues by providing direction and support to the Firm’s accounts receivable and collection efforts. Oversee the efforts of the Director of Billing and Accounts Receivable. Establish policies and procedures for the effective management of the Firm’s receivables. Serve on the ad hoc Accounts Receivable Committee, providing both reporting and recommendations for dealing with clients delinquent in their payments.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Mastery of generally accepted accounting principles. Thorough knowledge of modified cash basis accounting applicable to law firms.
- Strong knowledge of firm financial principles including firm pricing, profitability, billing, collections, and accounting functions.
- Understanding of multi-currency accounting and billing environments with the support of external experts and consultants.
- Project management skills. Ability to plan for and effectively execute projects both on a periodic and one-time basis.
- Ability to provide leadership and vision for the entire Financial Group. Proven ability to identify short- and long-term needs of the Financial Group and adequately plan for and meet those needs.
- Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to effectively work with partners and attorneys along with creating a positive work environment for the Financial Group.
- Superior verbal and written communication skills.
- Trustworthy, ethical, and discreet. Ability to effectively manage the Firm’s assets and achieve the Firm’s goals and objectives while maintaining strong ethical principles.
- Solid software skills. Excellent Microsoft Excel skills. Understanding of database fundamentals and their application in a financial environment.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Strong management skills. Ability to effectively manage multiple departments in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Strong multi-tasking skills. Ability to prioritize and complete multiple and sometimes conflicting priorities.
- If applicable, the willingness to work outside regular work schedule is required. Must maintain commitment to teamwork.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in related discipline required. Master’s degree in Finance or MBA from an accredited institution preferred.
- 10 or more years of experience in similar field required. 3-5 years of high-level financial management experience; preferably in a law firm environment preferred.
- Prior management experience required.
- CPA or similar designation preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP (Vorys) does not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual’s sex, race, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Vorys only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States.
