Trust Accounts Investigator

Board of Bar Overseers • Boston, MA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Bar Counsel in Massachusetts (OBC) investigates and prosecutes ethical misconduct by Massachusetts attorneys, educates attorneys on the Rules of Professional Conduct, and strives to better the profession. The OBC is seeking a professional with bookkeeping and accounting expertise to conduct financial analysis and review of attorney bank accounts and records. The application deadline is April 7, 2026.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Massachusetts lawyers are required to hold and safeguard client funds in dedicated trust accounts (aka IOLTA accounts) and to keep detailed accounting records for those accounts, as set forth in Massachusetts Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15. The OBC is responsible for investigating allegations of a lawyer’s failure to comply with Rule 1.15, and does so primarily through the investigation of instances of dishonored checks that occur on lawyers’ IOLTA’s accounts. Lack of compliance may result in Bar Counsel bringing disciplinary proceedings against a lawyer for Rule 1.15 violations before the Board of Bar Overseers and the Supreme Judicial Court. The investigator’s primary role is to process dishonored check cases by applying bookkeeping and accounting principles to the review of lawyers’ accounts and records, auditing the accounts, and assessing whether the records comply with Rule 1.15. The Rule and related record keeping materials can be found at our website, www.massbbo.org.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and legal experience preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience with accounting or bookkeeping or the equivalent preferred. CFE certification is also desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet software, accounting software applications, online search applications, and the ability to learn new software programs.
• Demonstrable skills in problem identification, analysis, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, analyzes, and reconciles attorneys’ trust account records.
• Reviews and analyzes bank records.
• Prepares and provides analysis of spreadsheets of attorney bank accounts.
• Prepares written reports based on analysis of records.
• Maintains financial records obtained from attorneys, banks, or other sources.
• Recommends to Assistant Bar Counsel the need for additional investigation or file disposition.
• Assists the Assistant Bar Counsel at meetings with attorneys and at disciplinary hearings.
• Prepares subpoenas seeking financial records.
• Prepares exhibits for meetings and disciplinary hearings.
• Drafts correspondence to attorneys providing assessment of submitted records and/or requesting further records.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Trust Accounts Investigators are members of the OPEIU, Local 6, AFL-CIO collective bargaining unit, and the salary and benefits are negotiated and set-forth in the collective bargaining agreement.
• The starting salary range for the Trust Accounts Investigator role is $71,652.00 – $88,860.00 based on experience.
• As a unionized workplace, the BBO respects the rights of its employees under the existing collective bargaining agreement and applicable labor law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level