ABOUT CONRADS

Conrads is a growing family law firm serving clients throughout Nova Scotia.

We are building a modern, high-performing firm focused on excellent client service, strong advocacy, technology, accountability and continuous improvement. We are ambitious about where the firm is going, while recognizing that sustainable growth requires strong systems, accurate information and disciplined financial management.

We believe good businesses are built on accurate financial information, strong financial controls and thoughtful decision-making. The Firm Accountant will play an important role in all three.

This is an opportunity for a recently designated CPA to take ownership of the financial operations of a growing qualified-services business, work directly with the owner, and develop into a senior financial leadership role as the firm grows.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP The Firm Accountant reports directly to the Owner.

The Firm Accountant will also have access to a dedicated billing assistant who can assist with billing and other administrative tasks, allowing the accountant to focus more of their time on accounting, financial management, analysis and higher-value work.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Firm Accountant is responsible for the firm's accounting, financial reporting, banking, cash management, taxation, budgeting, payroll, receivables, payables and financial controls.

The successful candidate will ensure that the firm's financial information is timely and accurate, that appropriate controls are maintained, and that management has the information needed to make sound business decisions.

This is intended to be a growth position. We are looking for a recently designated CPA who wants to develop a deep understanding of the business and, over time, take on increasing responsibility for financial planning, strategy and management.

There will also be opportunities to apply your accounting expertise directly to client legal files where financial analysis or accounting knowledge is required. This work will be compensated separately from your salary, creating the opportunity to significantly increase your overall earning potential.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Financial Management & Reporting

- Manage the firm's day-to-day accounting operations;
- Complete bank, credit card and other account reconciliations;
- Manage accounts receivable and accounts payable;
- Administer payroll and related remittances;
- Oversee the firm's client invoicing and billing processes;
- Work with the firm's billing assistant to ensure billing and related administrative processes are completed accurately and efficiently;
- Complete month-end and year-end accounting processes;
- Prepare monthly financial statements and management reporting for the firm;
- Prepare weekly financial and performance reporting for individual lawyers;
- Monitor revenue, expenses, receivables and other key financial metrics;
- Maintain accurate general ledger and financial records; and
- Develop and maintain strong internal financial controls.

1. Banking & Cash Management

The Firm Accountant will have primary responsibility for the firm's banking and cash-management functions, including:
- Managing the firm's banking relationships;
- Monitoring cash flow and liquidity;
- Managing deposits, transfers and movement of funds between accounts;
- Managing cheque preparation and related banking administration;
- Monitoring credit facilities and other banking arrangements;
- Forecasting cash requirements;
- Ensuring sufficient funds are available for payroll, tax obligations and operating expenses; and
- Providing the owner with timely reporting and recommendations relating to cash position and financial requirements.

1.



Trust Accounting & Regulatory Compliance

- Manage the firm's trust accounting;
- Complete all required trust reconciliations;
- Maintain appropriate trust accounting records and controls;
- Ensure compliance with applicable Law Society trust-accounting requirements;
- Monitor trust activity and identify discrepancies or compliance issues; and
- Assist in developing and improving the firm's trust-accounting procedures and controls.

1. Taxation & Compliance

The Firm Accountant will be responsible for the firm's tax compliance without reliance on an external accountant for routine tax preparation.

Responsibilities will include

- Preparing and filing corporate income tax returns for the firm and related companies;
- Preparing and filing the owner's personal income tax return;
- Preparing and filing HST returns and other required tax filings;
- Managing payroll and other statutory remittances;
- Ensuring tax filings and payments are completed accurately and on time;
- Maintaining appropriate supporting records and working papers; and
- Staying current with relevant tax and financial reporting requirements.

1. Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

- Prepare and maintain the firm's annual and monthly budgets;
- Monitor actual performance against budget;
- Prepare forecasts and variance analysis;
- Assist with cash-flow forecasting and financial planning;
- Identify financial trends, risks and opportunities;
- Develop reporting that helps management better understand firm and lawyer performance; and
- Provide financial analysis to support hiring, compensation, investment and other business decisions.

1. Business Growth & Strategic Planning

This is more than a transactional accounting position. The Firm Accountant will work directly with the owner and have a seat at the table on significant business decisions.

Over time, we expect this person to help us understand not only what has happened financially, but what the numbers mean for the future of the business.

This may include

- Evaluating potential investments and business opportunities;
- Financial modelling and scenario analysis;
- Assessing the financial implications of growth initiatives;
- Improving accounting, reporting and financial systems;
- Identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and profitability;
- Participating in discussions regarding hiring, compensation and expansion; and
- Helping develop the financial infrastructure required to support the firm's continued growth.

As the firm grows, there is an opportunity for this position to develop into a Controller or Director of Finance-level role, with increasing responsibility for the financial management and strategy of the business.
1. Accounting Work on Legal Files

Family law frequently involves complex financial issues. Where appropriate, the Firm Accountant will have opportunities to use their professional accounting experience on client legal files. Depending on the matter, this may include:
- Reviewing and analyzing financial information;
- Assisting with the interpretation of corporate and personal financial records;
- Analyzing income, expenses, assets, liabilities and business interests;
- Assisting lawyers with financial schedules and calculations;
- Identifying inconsistencies or issues within financial disclosure; and




- Providing other accounting and financial analysis relevant to a client's legal matter.

This work is separate from the Firm Accountant's salaried responsibilities and will be separately compensated, providing a meaningful opportunity to increase total annual earnings. Participation in this work will also provide exposure to an compelling intersection between accounting, business and family law that is not commonly available in a traditional accounting position.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

We are looking for someone who:

- Is a recently designated CPA;
- Has approximately 1–5 years of accounting experience;
- Has exceptional attention to detail;
- Places a high value on accuracy, accountability and strong financial controls;
- Is highly organized and dependable;
- Is comfortable taking ownership of important financial processes;
- Has strong knowledge of accounting, financial reporting and taxation;
- Can turn financial information into clear and helpful management reporting;
- Is comfortable identifying discrepancies, asking questions and raising concerns when something does not look right;
- Has strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Is interested in understanding how a growing business operates;
- Wants increasing responsibility as their skills and experience develop; and
- Is interested in helping build the systems and financial discipline required to support a growing business.

Experience in a law firm or with trust accounting would be an asset, but is not required. We are prepared to teach the successful candidate the law-firm-specific aspects of the position. COMPENSATION & WORKING ARRANGEMENT

- Starting salary of $75,000
- Four-day work week — Monday to Thursday
- Three weeks paid vacation
- Employee-matching RRSP program
- Additional compensation for accounting work performed on client legal files
- Standard working hours of approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Some flexibility is available in the mornings
- Regular in-person availability is required during the afternoons due to the firm's cheque, banking and financial administration requirements
- Access to a dedicated billing assistant to assist with billing and administrative tasks
- Salary increases will reflect the individual's growth in the position as well as the continued profitability and growth of the firm

THE PROSPECT For the right person, this is an opportunity to build a career rather than simply fill an accounting position. You will have meaningful responsibility from the outset, direct access to the owner, administrative support, and the opportunity to understand the financial side of a growing business from the inside.

You will also have something unusual for an in-house accounting position: the opportunity to apply your CPA training to financial issues arising in actual legal matters and to be separately compensated for that work, creating substantial additional earning potential as your experience develops.

We want someone who takes pride in ensuring the numbers are right, the controls are strong and nothing falls through the cracks — but who is also curious about what those numbers mean and how they can help us make better decisions.

As the firm grows, we want the successful candidate to grow with it.

If you are a recently designated CPA who values precision, accountability and strong financial controls, wants to understand how a business operates, and is looking for a position with genuine professional and financial upside, we would like to hear from you.

Pay: $75,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Work Location: In person

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