Accounting & Finance Systems Manager

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,750 lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work. 

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office. 

With us, you’ll find:

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!  

• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.  

• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.  

• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.   

Job Description:

The Accounting & Finance Systems Manager supports and advances the firm’s Accounting and Finance systems and related processes through a combination of day-to-day operational support and technology-driven improvement initiatives. This position partners with Accounting, IT, and other firmwide stakeholders to deliver system enhancements, process standardization, automation, and control improvements, with primary responsibility for the firm’s Invoice-to-Pay functions and enabling systems. The Accounting & Finance Systems Manager works under minimal supervision, this position relies on significant experience and judgment to plan and accomplish objectives aligned with the department’s roadmap.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Support and continuously improve the firm’s Invoice-to-Pay functions and enabling systems, including accounts payable, general ledger, expense management, and related workflows, through operational support and technology-driven enhancements

• Partner with Accounting and IT stakeholders to define and maintain the Invoice-to-Pay roadmap, including priorities, dependencies, timelines, and measurable outcomes aligned with departmental goals

• Lead discovery and process analysis to identify pain points, reduce manual effort and rework, improve cycle times, and strengthen end-to-end controls across invoice and expense lifecycles

• Translate business needs into clear delivery artifacts, including process maps, requirements and user stories, functional designs, acceptance criteria, test plans and results, and implementation documentation, to support auditability and repeatable execution

• Deliver end-to-end system enhancements and projects, including intake, design, configuration, testing, deployment, and adoption, coordinating with internal partners and vendors as needed

• Manage day-to-day vendor application partnerships for the Invoice-to-Pay portfolio, including relationship management, issue escalation, release awareness, and evaluation of new functionality and product offerings

• Identify, pilot, and implement automation, AI, and emerging technology capabilities, leveraging vendor-delivered functionality where appropriate, to improve efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and user experience

• Ensure system changes align with internal controls, data governance standards, and audit requirements, and assess and manage downstream impacts to the General Ledger, reporting, and related financial processes

• Define, track, and analyze key operational and adoption metrics, including cycle time, exception reports, rework drivers, control exceptions, and system usage, to drive continuous improvement and prioritize work

• Promote standardization and scalable adoption through documentation, training, and self-service resources that reduce support burden and improve consistency

• Collaborate with the broader Accounting and Finance Systems team to align solutions with firm standards and reusable patterns while remaining accountable for Invoice-to-Pay outcomes and delivery

Job Specifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field required; Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred

• At least seven (7) years of experience in systems implementation, product ownership, or process improvement roles, preferably supporting Accounting or Finance operations

• Experience with Invoice-to-Pay processes and systems, including invoice workflow, approvals, vendor data, expense processing, and payment readiness; familiarity with integrated enterprise financial systems strongly preferred

• Demonstrated ability to translate business needs into technical deliverables and lead initiatives from concept through deployment

• Strong knowledge of internal controls, auditability, and operational risk considerations in financial processes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical audiences and influence cross-functional stakeholders

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment, and deliver on commitments

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $131,000 - $194,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWS provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

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Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear

• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment:

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.