Client Account Specialist

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP•Washington, DC

2d•$85,000 - $95,000

About The Position

This is a great opportunity for a billing and collections professional looking to build real ownership of a portfolio and grow their technical and client-facing skills. Reporting to the Client Account Manager, the Client Account Specialist takes day-to-day ownership of the billing and collection strategy for their assigned partners or office/practice groups, working in close partnership with those partners and in conjunction with firm best practices and client requirements. This position will (i) collaborate closely with partners and practice groups along with other Finance teams, including Client Reporting and Revenue Operations,(ii) ensure timeliness and accuracy of bills as well as securing prompt payment, (iii) ensure compliance with client outside counsel guidelines, rates in-line with client agreements before billing, and other client considerations, and (iv) respond effectively and accurately to partner and client requests. This role offers direct partner exposure, hands-on ownership of a meaningful portfolio, and a clear growth path toward more senior client account positions.

Requirements

2+- years of relevant billing and client relationship experience at a professional services firm or law firm is required; experience supporting partners or senior stakeholders directly is strongly preferred.
Proficiency with Excel and Word, with the ability to produce polished, partner-ready materials.
Excellent writing, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently and professionally with partners, attorneys, clients, and senior business professionals.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet partner deadlines and client expectations.
Eager to learn, with the ability to quickly grasp new billing systems, processes, and the specific preferences and requirements of individual partners and clients.
A collegial, dependable team player who builds trust and credibility with partners, and contributes positively to a collaborative environment.
Receptive to feedback, with the ability to quickly implement and learn from corrections, including direct guidance from partners.
Highly detail-oriented, with foundational knowledge of billing and collections processes.
Demonstrates polished, white-glove customer service for both partners/internal clients and external clients, reflecting the Firm’s standards.
Works independently and exercises sound, professional judgement, with the ability to know when to escalate issues that carry financial or client-relationship impact.
Anticipates partners’ and clients’ needs and proactively surfaces billing issues or trends before they escalate.
Proactively identifies and implements process improvements that enhance efficiency and the partner experience.
Exhibits leadership qualities, and a reliable, high-integrity work ethic befitting a trusted partner-facing role that directly impacts the revenue of the Firm.

Responsibilities

Own and drive the billing and collection process to ensure accurate and timely invoicing and payment of clients for assigned partners, practice groups, and/or offices.
Monitor assigned partners' monthly aging AR reports and take appropriate action to ensure each invoice is paid on time and in full; direct teams to follow-up on underpayments and help with resolution, as needed.
Update key finance reports (e.g., projection amounts, clear and concise billing or AR comments) daily, to ensure timely and high-quality reporting for Senior Management.
Develop a strong understanding of more complex billing processes and help ensure a timely and accurate billing and collections process.
Proactively follow up with assigned partners and escalate any billing or collection issues or delays to the Client Account Manager.
Respond to billing and AR inquiries; prepare accurate bills, including narrative descriptions, transfers and on account applications, with strong attention to detail and proofreading.
Act as a trusted advisor to your assigned partners by interpreting and influencing their approach through meticulous review of their SOE, and by understanding the billing arrangement and billing frequency of each matter and client.
Obtain and review Engagement Letters and Outside Counsel Guidelines to support compliance with client requirements in timekeeper diaries and costs.
Collaborate with internal clients and other finance teams, such as Pricing Operations and ebilling, to ensure accurate client invoices, submission requirements, and reporting.
Prepare for, coordinate, and lead regular UBT/AR meetings with your assigned partners regularly (e.g., at least once a month), serving as their primary point of contact on billing and collections strategy.
Monitor bill processing status and perform necessary follow up.
Ensure successful submission of E-Billing thru Billblast or directly through the client’s third-party E-Billing vendor.
Collaborate with the Client Account and Revenue Operations teams to develop efficiencies in the billing process.
Validate and test functionality and reports during billing system and report upgrades.
Support the Client Account Managers and Advisors with all aspects of the team’s day-to-day operations, in accordance with Firm Policies and procedures.
Take part in ad hoc client analysis projects as requested and manage a portfolio of complex matters; special projects, as assigned.
Clearly document areas of responsibility for partner requirements, including key client requirements (billing, collecting, fee arrangements) to enable more streamlined collaboration, clarity, and coverage across the team.