Client Account Manager

New York, NY 

The Opportunity 

Guided by department objectives and priorities, manages the account set up, billing and collection arrangements, account, and inventory management for assigned client portfolios.  Develops strong collaborative relationships with attorneys throughout full cycle of client invoicing and collections.  Analyzes inventory statistics, prepares supporting documentation, and make recommendations based on business strategies.  Responsible for matter management, including rate structure, time entry and value, disbursement tracking and monitoring progress against approved budgets.  Responsible for on account billing, unapplied fund resolution and client trust accounting.  Ensures client services and satisfaction are attained in all areas of position. 

Client Account Management

• Manage full cycle billing and collections relationships and processes for designated portfolios of client matters.  Establish and maintain credibility with stakeholders, produce highly accountable work product, and take full ownership for results.
• Collaborate with Finance and billing attorneys to establish and manage billing structures, including potential discounts, fee caps, tiered discounts and/or matter budgets.
• Collaborate closely with attorneys and staff to ensure accounts support client specifications in invoicing and other requirements; manage all processes from engagement to collections with tact, diplomacy, and effective negotiation skills.
• Review invoices in depth, analyzing and responding to underlying issues; finalize invoices and submit in formats meeting attorney and client requirements.
• Develop analysis and research related to assigned portfolios, providing concise, detail-based documentation, statistics, and recommendations.
• Prepare effective monthly billing and collections forecasts for assigned portfolio.
• Ensure management of client trust accounts, on account billing, accurate payment application, and unapplied fund resolution throughout life cycle of assigned accounts.
• Concisely communicate the billing and collection arrangements with clients on their matters.
• Establish effective backup support processes to ensure seamless support for all portfolio matters.  

Financial Process Improvement

• Anticipate outcomes, assesses next steps and recommend approaches to initiating actionable improvements related to assigned portfolio and within the Accounting Department.
• Document and share best practices with internal and external client stakeholders and other Client Account Managers.
• Apply detailed knowledge of professional methods and underlying concepts while working with Management on billing and collection issues.  

Client Service, Confidentiality, and Safety

• Consistently promote and model the Firm’s Client Service Principles in leadership, teamwork, work product, and personal interaction.
• Ensure compliance with the Firm’s Information Handling Policy, including safeguarding confidential and personal information, and reporting any suspected breach appropriately and immediately.
• Adhere to the Firm’s General Safety Practices and any unique safety practices for department and building.

Ideal Candidate       

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications: 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business discipline preferred but not required.
• Minimum three years dedicated specialized billing, collection or account management experience.
• Strong Elite and Excel experience (include Vlookup and Pivot Tables)
• Hands-on experience performing complex accounting analysis.
• Law Firm or professional services background with international exposure preferred. 

Teamwork and Applied Skills

• High level of business acumen and ability to multi-task.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to assess information, anticipate issues and outcomes, and make effective decisions.
• Ability to prepare accurate, highly detailed work product.
• Talent for delivering client service through teamwork.
• Ability to exchange information and to present ideas, report facts and other information clearly and concisely.
• Strong initiative to proactively increase value to the position.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage large amounts of paper and electronic data.
• Ability to organize time, prioritize workload effectively, and work independently.
• High comfort level with sometimes stressful client requirements.
• Reliability, dependability, and strong motivation to respond to requests quickly.