Sr Client Accounts Specialist

DLA Piper is a bold, exceptional, collaborative, and supportive firm where our people are the backbone, heart, and soul. This role offers the opportunity to engage in meaningful work and grow your career within a dynamic professional environment.

About the role

The Senior Client Accounts Specialist supports the firm’s strategic initiatives by working with Legal Support Services and Accounting teams to provide streamlined billing and client account services. This role handles the most complex domestic and global billing clients, edits and finalizes invoices, researches billing data, and ensures cohesive full-cycle billing support for attorneys with intricate billing needs. The Specialist also provides training and mentoring to other staff members on billing procedures.

Location

This hybrid position is available in our Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Palo Alto, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, or Seattle office.

Responsibilities

US Clients

• Perform a variety of duties to support the full billing cycle, including reviewing and editing proformas, seeking approvals for deferrals, write-offs, and time transfers.
• Field billing inquiries from clients and attorneys.
• Create and maintain complex monthly reporting, ensuring data accuracy prior to submission.
• Gather and submit accrual information based on client requirements.
• Research and resolve electronic billing rejections.
• Maintain accurate records of all client billing requirements, including guidelines established by the client’s general counsel, and update them as needed.
• Track and resolve tickets assigned by the Accounting Service Desk daily.
• Finalize invoices and submit them directly to clients (per policy) or provide them to attorneys for transmission (per approved exceptions).
• Provide support, guidance, mentoring, and training to staff as needed.
• Submit finalized invoices electronically based on client requirements.
• Serve as a point of escalation for more junior Specialists.

Global Clients

• Coordinate and lead global client unified billing, managing account assignments and performing full-cycle billing functions for both firm and client requirements.
• Create and maintain complex monthly reporting, ensuring data accuracy prior to submission.
• Liaise with international attorneys and finance counterparts to obtain accurate accrual and forecasting information for monthly client reporting.
• Follow up with international counterparts to ensure timely invoicing and adherence to budgets, troubleshooting issues as needed.
• Track and resolve tickets assigned by the Accounting Service Desk daily.
• Generate global client LEDES files for electronic billing based on client requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with staff and timekeepers.
• Team-oriented with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent proofreading skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex problems.
• Proven analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently while taking direction well.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (required).
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a similar field (preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years’ direct billing or client accounts experience, including domestic, global, and e-Billing, within a law or professional services organization.
• Experience as a team lead or responsibility for complex billing (preferred).
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and accounting systems such as Elite and/or Aderant.
• Proficiency in e-billing applications such as eHub or Bill Blast.

Essential Job Expectations

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences.
• Produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence in a timely, professional manner.
• Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and commit to high standards.
• Comply with firm policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality as required in a law firm environment.

Physical Demands

This role involves primarily sedentary work, requiring occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force. It includes extended periods of sitting, with occasional walking and standing. Occasional domestic and international travel may be required.

Work Environment

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement will be determined at the time of hiring and may be adjusted at the firm’s discretion.

Pay

The expected hiring range for this position is $36.79 - $58.49 per hour, depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. Non-exempt positions are paid on an hourly basis with overtime in accordance with applicable laws. Compensation will also depend on the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.