Client Accounting Specialist

Job Description

Fenwick is seeking a Client Accounting Specialist to manage the financial aspects of assigned partners' client portfolios in accordance with departmental standards. This role involves working closely with the finance management team and integrating best practices while providing high-quality service to both internal partners and external clients.

Responsibilities

• Client and Matter set up (rates, discounts, invoice formats, deferrals, etc.) to ensure compliance with engagement letters, billing guidelines, and client preferences.
• Maintain documentation of non-standard billing requirements and update Client and Matter Billing Instructions in Aderant and CET database.
• Monitor work in progress to ensure timely billing according to agreements and schedules, ensuring necessary billing systems reflect current status.
• Produce, review, and distribute prebills on a monthly basis and as needed for attorney review, coordinating with secretarial team to meet monthly due dates.
• Perform various billing functions (edits, write downs, transfers, discounts, etc.), audit edits for accuracy and compliance, and ensure calculations are correct before posting.
• Maintain client invoices and ensure timely delivery in accordance with firm and client guidelines, meeting attorney deadlines and estimating closing dates.
• Meet regularly with billing attorneys to discuss new clients, special billing arrangements, and issues requiring action.
• Monitor accounts receivable balances, uphold firm’s collection policies, escalate significant or delinquent balances, and implement collection strategies.
• Engage attorney assistance to resolve disputes, develop and maintain collection strategies, and negotiate payment arrangements.
• Utilize Aderant, ARCS, EIS, and other reports to assist with the collections process and reporting, including the Intranet.
• Research and resolve misapplied payments and unapplied cash/trust balances, preparing write-off/write-down requests as necessary.
• Assist attorneys, secretaries, and clients with billing and collections-related questions and requests, maintaining client files and correspondence.
• Monitor billing hotline and time correction DTE alias on a rotational basis, sharing system process enhancement ideas and proposing client support enhancements.
• Utilize LinkedIn Learning for skill development and propose new ideas to streamline efficiency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of legal billing experience with automated billing systems and an understanding of legal industry’s standard billing requirements.
• Experience with Aderant Expert (previously CMS) and/or automated accounting systems.
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.

Benefits and Compensation

The anticipated range for this position is $76,000 - $107,500, depending on the role and location. A discretionary bonus for eligible employees may also be available based on performance. Additional information about benefits eligibility and discretionary bonuses will be provided upon request.