Chief Financial Officer

Vorys, Sater, Seymour And Pease Llp - Columbus, OH

Full-time - Executive

Columbus, OH

51-100 employees

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Vorys is a well-established AmLaw 200 firm with over 100 years of history, seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead our Finance teams and businesses into the future. This role is pivotal in steering the financial processes for the Firm and its ancillary businesses, which span across three countries, ten offices, and eighteen states. The CFO will work closely with external experts and consultants to ensure the financial health and compliance of the Firm, while also fostering a client-focused culture that values relationships and collegiality. This culture not only contributes to long-term business success but also enhances career longevity for our employees. If you thrive in an environment that offers variety, change, and the opportunity to tackle unique financial, accounting, and tax challenges, we would love to discuss this opportunity with you. As the Chief Financial Officer, you will provide overall leadership and vision for all financial aspects of the Firm and its ancillary businesses, in consultation with the Managing Partner and/or Partner in Charge of Operations. Your oversight will encompass the management of the Financial Group and all its functions, ensuring tax and financial regulatory compliance, enhancing the Firm's profitability, and safeguarding the Firm's assets. You will be responsible for overseeing accurate and timely accounting and billing processes, managing internal reporting, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations at all levels. Additionally, you will lead the senior finance staff, assist in the annual billing rate setting process, and provide financial analysis to Firm Management, including profitability studies and cost control analysis. Your role will also involve managing treasury functions, evaluating insurance and investment needs, and establishing internal controls to protect the Firm's assets. Ultimately, your leadership will be crucial in increasing the Firm's profitability and revenues through effective pricing strategies and accounts receivable management.

Responsibilities

• 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, and provide Management Committee financial updates.
• 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 and analyze the Firm's rates in comparison with industry peers.
• Provide financial analysis to Firm Management, perform profitability studies and cost control analysis, and measure the financial impact of mergers and acquisitions.
• 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, maintaining banking relationships and managing credit and depository needs.
• Manage the financial aspects of the Firm's insurance and investment needs, providing analysis and reporting to relevant Committees.
• Establish and maintain the internal controls of the Financial Group and the Firm as a whole to protect the Firm's assets.
• Increase the Firm's profitability through effective pricing of Firm billing matters and work with the Rates, Fees and Engagements Committee to maximize profitability.
• Oversee the efforts of the Director of Billing and Accounts Receivable to increase the Firm's revenues and establish effective management policies for receivables.

Requirements

• 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 a similar field required; 3-5 years of high-level financial management experience, preferably in a law firm environment.
• Prior management experience required.
• CPA or similar designation preferred.
• Mastery of generally accepted accounting principles and thorough knowledge of modified cash basis accounting applicable to law firms.
• Strong knowledge of firm financial principles including 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 with the ability to plan and execute projects effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work with partners and attorneys and create a positive work environment.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Trustworthy, ethical, and discreet with the ability to manage the Firm's assets responsibly.
• Solid software skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel, and understanding of database fundamentals in a financial context.
• Strong negotiation and management skills, with the ability to manage multiple departments in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong multi-tasking skills with the ability to prioritize and complete conflicting priorities.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a law firm environment is preferred but not mandatory.
• Familiarity with financial software implementations and office expansion initiatives.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Dental insurance coverage
• 401k retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling options
• Professional development opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement for further education
• Life insurance coverage
• Disability insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs
• Wellness programs