Walt Schell Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, Nc

Responsible for management of finance and accounting for a thriving (and growing) 50 person law firmPost and reconcile transaction details for 4 bank accounts, including posting of general journal entriesManage Trust account pursuant to NC State Bar requirements, including monthly three-way reconciliations. Meet with Managing Partner quarterly to complete NC State Bar Reconciliation Review ReportResponsible for managing Month End Close, including reconciliation of Operating, Trust and Payroll bank accounts, posting of journal entries, calculation of firm profit, and processing partner payroll.Monthly review and analysis of firm financial reports, preparation of Financial Analysis reports; meet with Managing Partner to review same; distribute reports to all partnersAssist with development of firm’s annual expense and revenue budgetsManage firm’s expense budget, including accurate posting of transactions, monthly reporting and review of variancesManage firm’s Accounts Payable processes, including processing payments, vendor management, preparation and electronic filing of annual 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC and 1099-S. Manage firm’s Accounts Receivable processes, including accurate posting of incoming payments, resolution of incoming ACH payment identification; work with legal staff to research and resolve discrepancies or questions before posting to ensure accuracy and minimize confusionWork closely with partners and CPA to ensure accuracy of annual partner K1s and firm tax returnsResponsible for management of firm credit card, collection of transaction information; posting and monthly reconciliation of same.Primary liaison between firm and firm’s banking partner representativesPreparation and distribution of ad-hoc financial reports as requestedReview firm financial processes for efficiency and clarity; suggest and implement improvementsWork closely with staff to ensure financial processes are well defined and understood; provide guidance when needed

Matthews, North Carolina

Responsible for oversight of all firm administrative services, including human resources and benefits, financial reporting and forecasting, payroll, 401k administration, bookkeeping and accounting, office technology, client intake, trust account management, firm insurance policies, billing and collections, internal IT needs, facilities management, etc.Work closely with partners to develop and implement firm-wide policies and procedures.Key achievements:Suggested and implemented office-wide network cabling upgrade, increasing internal network connection speeds tenfoldEnhanced both the attorney-client experience and internal meeting effectiveness by installing large screen televisions in all conference rooms with laptop connectivityCollaborated with managing partners to develop a new set of financial reports highlighting key metrics identified as being integral to firm’s successCreated and instructed a one and a half day new employee orientation program aimed at smoothly and immediately introducing new employees to office policies and procedures and getting them up to speed on software programs and technological resources needed to perform their job successfully.Developed and implemented internal system of collecting and reporting marketing data necessary to review and analyze firm’s overall marketing strategySuccessfully led project moving the firm to a cloud-based practice management platform and cloud-based data storage, enhancing everyone’s ability to work remotely with reduced reliance on office-based servers.Oversaw firm-wide transition to a VOIP phone system bringing many improvements and enhancements that all users benefited from immediately.

Charlotte, Nc

Effective Operations Manager overseeing administrative and financial functions of a successful family law firm in Charlotte, North Carolina with an initial focus on developing and implementing policies and procedures aimed at improving efficiency, consistency and productivity across multiple practice groups while maintaining flexibility and supporting a relaxed, employee-friendly work environment.Responsible for financial administration, including forecasting, budgeting, reporting, strategic analysis, cash flow management, A/R, A/P and collections.Responsible for facilities management, including review, negotiation and execution of vendor contracts and ongoing vendor relationships. Collaborate closely with marketing vendor while developing, implementing and managing internal processes supporting online SEO and PPC campaigns targeting increased visibility and market share in a competitive multi-state business environment. Proactively develop mid to long term strategic human resources goals aimed at ensuring adequate staffing levels and providing the necessary infrastructure for continued long term growth and profitability. Successfully completed multi-year forensic audit of firm Trust accounts and instituted procedures consistent with North Carolina and South Carolina State Bar Trust Accounting rules.

Charlotte, Nc

Responsible for oversight and management of all administrative functions for a highly successful 19 person law firm, including establishment and enforcement of operational procedures, financial management, reporting and forecasting (including check writing privileges), human resource management, technological resource management, benefits administration including 401(k), payroll, billing, in-house IT, vendor relations, management of client Trust accounts in accordance with NC State Bar guidelines. Proven track record of managing highly dynamic environment while providing foundational support upon which substantial, consistent corporate growth has been possible.

Charlotte, Nc

Efficiently managed multi-faceted law firm engaged in multiple fields of law. Successfully guided firm through transition period involving firm dissolution while creating and establishing operational foundation upon which newly created firm could operate with zero downtime; providing seamless transition from multi-faceted law firm to a law firm focusing exclusively on family law.

Responsible for oversight of all financial functions at a highly successful immigration law firm; including billing, A/P, A/R, financial budgeting and forecasting, financial planning, cash management, human resources, accounting, on-site Information Technology, strategic planning, banking, Trust account reconciliation.

Bachelor Of Business Administration (Bba), Business Administration

Activities and Societies: Men's Soccer Team (All Region Honorable Mention) Chi Phi Fraternity (Leadership position) Work Study Program

Law Firm Administration

Attended multiple Continuing Legal Education courses dealing with law firm administration and trust account management.

High School Diploma, National Honor Society

Activities and Societies: Captain, Men's Varsity Soccer Team Captain, Men's Varsity Baseball Team National Honor Society