Client Account Operations Lead

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Summary

The Client Operations Lead is an advanced-level Legal Biller with analytical and job priority sequencing responsibilities. This position is dedicated to a team of New York partners in the Tax Practice Group and includes process and gap analysis to be incorporated into customized best practices that support cash conversion cycle efficiencies for complex billing portfolios. The Client Operations Lead represents the department by participating in client meetings and cross-group collaborations, setting and driving agendas that impact billing practices and processes. This position is based in the Firm’s New York office, reports to the Complex Accounts Manager, and may require dynamic work schedules that adapt to business needs. 

Location

This position is located in our New York office and offers a hybrid work schedule, with the expectation to be onsite 3 days per week or upon the Billing Partner’s request.

Responsibilities  

• Be the Subject Matter Expert in providing dedicated legal billing to Tax Group Partners in the New York office.

• Review data for accuracy prior to submitting it; gather and submit domestic and international accrual information based on client requirements.

• Research and resolve electronic billing rejections.

• Research client billing data and provide detailed analysis to attorneys and support staff.

• Track and resolve tickets assigned by the Accounting Service Desk on a daily basis.

• Work across multiple teams of support specialists within both Legal Support Services and Accounting teams to provide effective, streamlined billing and client account services to attorneys of the firm.

• Responsible for analyzing and prioritizing responsibilities to ensure maximum contribution to the larger billing organization, which includes process and gap analysis to be incorporated into best practices for cash conversion cycle support.

• Maintain an accurate description of all client billing requirements, which may also include guidelines established by the client’s general counsel. Update and track changes to the requirements as necessary.

• Interact with billing department stakeholders to understand business problems and define solution requirements.

• Analyze the legal billing process and supporting systems, develop business cases, build metrics, and perform reporting. Document and communicate functional and system requirements and build process-flow diagrams. Also, continually review internal processes for opportunities to improve efficiencies.

• Apply best practices for effective communication and problem solving, create standardized reports, analyze data and document areas requiring improvement.

• Support projects, report efforts, liaise with project participants and follow up routinely to ensure effective communication and completion of tasks.

• For US clients: support the full billing cycle by reviewing and editing prebills, seek requisite approvals for deferrals, write-offs, and time transfers. Field billing inquiries from adjacent support groups and attorneys. Create and maintain complex monthly reporting.

• For global clients: coordinate and lead global client unified billing, which includes reviewing data for accuracy prior to submission, managing global client account assignments and performing all full-cycle billing functions associated with both the firm’s and the client’s billing requirements. Liaise with international attorneys and/or finance counterparts to obtain accurate accrual and forecasting information for monthly client reporting. Follow-up frequently with international counterparts to ensure that engaged locations stay within budget and issue invoices timely. Troubleshoot issues with finance counterparts as needed. Track and resolve tickets assigned by the Accounting Service Desk on a daily basis. Generate global client LEDES files for electronic billing based on client requirements.

• Develop training programs to ensure consistent billing processes across the team and provide training to attorneys and staff as needed.

• Finalize invoices and submit them directly to the client (per policy) or provide them to attorneys for transmission to the client (per approved exceptions to policy), also, includes other billing information as needed.

Desired Skills   

• Advanced billing experience with a major law firm in a finance or billing assignmen