Finance Manager

Finance Manager Location: Brea, CA Reports To: Managing Partner / Firm Administrator Employment Type: Full-Time - Hybrid Salary Range: $115,000 - $125,000 base About the Role NOW CFO is conducting a private search on behalf of a growing law firm in Orange County with a statewide presence. We are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for the firm. This role is central to giving partners the financial clarity and visibility they need to make confident decisions. This is a role for someone who thrives on turning financial data into clear, actionable insight, and who has direct experience working within a law firm environment. What You'll Do Budgeting & Forecasting Build and maintain the firm's annual budgetTrack actual performance against budget and proactively flag variancesDevelop rolling forecasts to support partner decision-makingModel cash flow needs and support partner draw planning Ad Hoc & Management Reporting Produce fast-turnaround custom reports on request: profitability by client, matter, practice group, or attorneyPrepare analysis and materials for partner meetings and budget reviewsBuild and maintain dashboards to track firm KPIsTranslate financial data into clear, digestible insights for partners and firm leadership Law Firm-Specific Financial Analysis Support billing analysis across fee arrangements, including hourly, flat fee, contingency, and hybrid structuresPull and interpret data from the firm's practice management/billing system to support financial reporting and analysis Team Leadership Oversee an accounting team of 7, providing guidance, direction, and performance managementEnsure the team's day-to-day work supports timely, accurate financial reporting and analysisServe as the primary point of escalation for the accounting team What You Bring Required 5+ years of progressive finance experience, with a focus on budgeting, forecasting, and reportingDirect experience working in a law firm environment (required) familiarity with matter-based accounting, legal billing structures, and law firm financial operationsStrong track record in budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysisDemonstrated ability to build ad hoc reports quickly and accurately, including profitability analysis by client, matter, or practice groupAdvanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, financial modeling)Experience working with legal practice management or time-and-billing software (e.g., Clio, Aderant, Elite, PracticePanther, or similar)Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to partners and non-financial stakeholdersPrior experience managing or leading a team Preferred Experience in Orion Accounting SoftwareExperience with alternative fee arrangements and their financial/revenue implicationsFamiliarity with partnership accounting concepts (partner capital accounts, distributions)Experience with BI/dashboard tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar)Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field What Success Looks Like in This Role Partners have timely, accurate budget-to-actual reporting and can trust the numbers behind key decisions Ad hoc requests are turned around quickly, with minimal back-and-forth for clarificationThe annual budgeting process runs smoothly, with realistic targets and clear variance tracking throughout the yearFinancial reporting bridges the gap between the firm's billing/practice management systems and the general ledger, so partners see one consistent picture of firm performance Compensation & Benefits Base salary: $115,000 - $125,000, commensurate with experience Benefits: health insurance, Dental, Vision, retirement plan, life insurance, FSA, PTOHybrid schedule (3 days in office / 2 days remote) #IND2