Lead – Finance & Accounting Services

About the role

The Lead – Finance & Accounting Services, United States is an integral part of Latham’s Global Finance team. This role supports U.S. practice offices and Global Finance through accounting expertise, operational support, process improvement, and technology-enabled solutions, while managing budgeting, expense management, accounts payable, nominal and recoverable costs, charitable contributions, and related non-billing activities.

This role is based in New York and may offer a flexible working schedule allowing for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Responsibilities

• Apply solid accounting principles, financial controls, and firm policies to review transactions, research issues, prepare analyses, and resolve practice office and Global Services Office requests.
• Assist with annual budget processes, including compilation of inputs, review of operational expenses, variance and payee/department-level analysis, and follow-up with local office and business contacts.
• Review and document finance and accounting processes to identify root causes, control gaps, training needs, and opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and service quality across offices.
• Participate in automation and technology initiatives (e.g., SharePoint and Power Platform workflows, reporting enhancements), including business requirements, user acceptance testing, validation of outputs, and post-implementation support.
• Use Excel, reporting tools, and financial systems to analyze data, identify trends or exceptions, and prepare clear summaries for management review and stakeholder discussions.
• Protect and maintain any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains.

Qualifications

• Exhibit analytical skills, including the ability to interpret financial data, analyze variances, identify exceptions, perform detailed reviews, and summarize findings clearly.
• Possess a strong accounting foundation, including the ability to understand, analyze, and apply accounting principles to financial transactions, reconciliations, reporting, and operational decision-making.
• Show a high level of attention to detail, with the ability to review and proofread work to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related field.
• Hold a CPA, CPA candidate, or other relevant professional certification, preferably.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, audit, financial operations, or related professional services experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years of cumulative experience in budgeting, financial analysis, reconciliations, accounts payable, expense management, reporting, process documentation, or financial systems.
• Experience with process improvement, system implementation, data analysis, automation, workflow, or reporting initiatives, preferably.