Settlement Accounting Specialist (Law Firm Experience Required)

J&T Business Consulting•Philadelphia, PA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Settlement Accounting Specialist to join our team in Philadelphia, PA. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in legal accounting and trust account management within a law firm environment. This role oversees the end-to-end accounting and administration of settlement funds, ensuring strict accuracy, regulatory compliance, and timely distribution. Candidates without prior law firm experience will not be considered.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of settlement accounting or legal accounting experience
Law firm experience required
Strong understanding of trust accounting rules and settlement fund management
Proven track record handling complex attorney-client settlement distributions
Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Excel
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy
Ability to maintain a secure, high-speed internet connection for hybrid work, comply with enterprise security measures (VPN, multi-factor authentication, endpoint controls), and maintain absolute confidentiality of client and firm records.

Nice To Haves

Strong attention to detail and problem-solving ability
In-depth knowledge of legal settlement accounting and trust compliance standards
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys, paralegals, and finance personnel
High degree of professionalism and discretion with confidential data

Responsibilities

Oversee the full settlement accounting lifecycle from initial receipt through final disbursement
Track and reconcile settlement funds to ensure complete accuracy and regulatory compliance
Coordinate closely with attorneys to facilitate timely, authorized distributions
Analyze court orders, recapitulations, and contingent fee agreements
Prepare detailed distribution summaries and present them to attorneys for final sign-off
Manage end-to-end settlement transactions, including: Recording receipts, Booking attorney fees, Billing and recording hard/soft costs, Disbursing funds to the firm, clients, referral attorneys, and lienholders
Transfer settlement funds to interest-bearing accounts when appropriate
Maintain organized financial records and complete audit-ready supporting documentation
Perform regular bank reconciliations across trust and settlement accounts
Provide itemized cost breakdowns and financial documentation to legal teams upon request
Audit draft court orders and recapitulations for numerical and procedural accuracy
Process bi-monthly Concur expense uploads
Manage monthly PaperCut (soft cost) uploads
Execute monthly cost write-offs for closed matters