Accountant / Senior Accountant (CTAPP)

Overview

Regulation Division - Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP)

Accountant Annual Salary Range : $92,960 - $123,943

Senior Accountant Annual Salary Range : $102,263 - $136,352

FLSA : Exempt / Union Represented

This position allows for up to four days of remote work per week.

Position placement in the CTAPP Account or Senior Accountant role will depend on the applicant's qualifications and years of relevant experience.

About the Office

The Division of Regulation ensures State Bar licensees comply with obligations imposed by the State Bar Act, the Rules of Court, and the Rules of the State Bar, including annual reporting and registration, licensing fee, Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP), and Minimum Continuing Legal Education requirements. The CTAPP was established to help protect client funds held in trust by California attorneys through detection and deterrence of client trust accounting misconduct. The Division also registers law corporations and, limited liability partnerships, certifies minimum continuing legal education providers and lawyer referral services, and maintains the official roll of attorneys on behalf of the California Supreme Court—the records of all attorneys licensed to practice in California. The Division focuses on proactive regulation by recommending laws and promulgating rules to support the ethical practice of law and conducts preventative education and provides resources and programs on licensee\'s professional responsibility obligations through e-learning, live presentations, publications, and other content, as well as through the Ethics Hotline, which offers ethics research assistance to licensees. Finally, the Division includes the Lawyer Assistance Program-Support Services, which provides education on competence and attorney wellness, as well as short-term counseling and support groups for legal professionals. The division also supports key committees and working groups that provide ethics guidance, and address policy and rule changes.

About the Position

The CTAPP Accountant / Senior Accountant plays an important role in a new regulatory program designed to protect client funds held in trust by California attorneys through detection and deterrence of client trust accounting misconduct. This position involves conducting compliance reviews and complex investigative audits of attorneys\' trust accounting practices to ensure compliance with applicable laws, including the Rules of Professional Conduct, while also developing and adapting procedures as the program evolves. The Senior Accountant prepares detailed reports, analyzes findings, communicates with licensees to educate them when possible, and recommends corrective actions. Additionally, this role requires collaboration with external accountants, emphasizing effective communication and knowledge of accounting practices, auditing standards, and investigative methodologies.

Definition

Accountant

Under general supervision, the Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) Accountant performs professional accounting and investigative work, including conducting compliance reviews and targeted investigative audits of attorney trust accounts to confirm licensee compliance with applicable laws, including the Rules of Professional Conduct; prepares compliance reviews and investigative audit reports; coordinates with external accountants and communicates with licensees; reviews and recommends compliance review outcomes based on the findings of external accountants\' reports; and other related functions as assigned. The CTAPP Accountant may act as an individual contributor or serve on engagement teams, working closely with individual professional, technical, and support staff.

Senior Accountant

Under general supervision, the CTAPP Senior Accountant performs professional accounting and investigative work, including planning, organizing, and performing compliance reviews and complex investigative audits of attorney trust accounts to confirm licensee compliance with applicable laws, including the Rules of Professional Conduct; prepares compliance reviews and investigative audit reports; reviews, analyzes, and approves recommended outcomes for the compliance reviews and investigative audits conducted by CTAPP Accountants; coordinates with external accountants and communicates with licensees; and performs other related functions as assigned. The CTAPP Senior Accountant may act as an individual contributor or serve in a lead capacity over engagement teams or individual professional, technical, and support staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Accountant

The CTAPP Accountant classification is distinguished from the higher-level CTAPP Senior Accountant in that the CTAPP Accountant is focused on conducting compliance reviews and targeted investigative audits and coordinating with external accountants, whereas the CTAPP Senior Accountant assumes greater responsibility for conducting more complex investigative audits that require specialized knowledge, abilities, skills, and experience in accordance with the procedures and policies of the CTAPP Program and the State Bar, and exercises more independent judgment in the performance of their duties. Additionally, the CTAPP Senior Accountant may review the work of the CTAPP Accountant.

Senior Accountant

The CTAPP Senior Accountant is distinguished from the higher-level CTAPP Supervising Accountant in that the CTAPP Senior Accountant is focused on reviewing compliance reviews and performing complex investigative audits, whereas the CTAPP Supervising Accountant provides supervisory expertise regarding the outcome of complex compliance reviews and investigative audits and exercises a higher degree of independent judgment and decision making in overall policy making and refinement of processes and procedures.

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Performs sensitive, and targeted compliance review procedures and enhanced investigative audits of attorney client trust accounting records.
• Analyzes investigative reports and other records and prepares reports of findings.
• Ensures accuracy of information and effectively communicates findings both verbally and in writing.
• Makes recommendations for identified violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Reviews the work of external accountants in their role as agents of the State Bar, ensuring agreed-upon procedures are followed and in accordance with State Bar policies.
• Confers with senior management staff to discuss, evaluate, and make policy and procedures recommendations regarding compliance reviews and investigative audits.
• Uses professional judgment and State Bar developed guidelines to recommend appropriate outcomes of compliance reviews, including mandatory corrective action plans and referrals to the Office of Chief Trial Counsel for discipline.
• Works efficiently to oversee the complete compliance review process and works closely with individual professional, technical, and support staff.
• Performs other duties that may not be specifically included within this position description but are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

Minimum Qualifications

Accountant

Education :

Experience :

License, Certificate, and Registration Requirements :

Senior Accountant

Education :

Experience :

License, Certificate, and Registration Requirements :

Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be required to successfully complete the State Bar\'s selection process for this classification.

About the State Bar

The State Bar of California\'s mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation, and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.

Our Values

Clarity | Investing in Our People | Excellence | Respect | Growth Mindset

Learn more about our values.

DEI Statement

We are a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all of our employees and prospective employees experience fairness, dignity, and respect.

Learn more about our commitment to DEI.

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