Senior Billing Specialist

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Senior Billing Specialist in the Finance department, working under the direct supervision of the Manager and Supervisor of the Billing and Collections department.

The role will reside in the Dallas office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for preparing monthly bills including for more complex/difficult client billing, maintaining billing filing system, working with Collections staff to collect aged accounts receivables, monitoring the e-billing process, and ensuring that special billing arrangements are carried out. The Senior Billing Specialist is expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s clients, attorneys, advisors and staff, and maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement. Above all, the Senior Billing Specialist must fulfill the needs of the firm in a manner which is consistent with the Firm’s Core Values.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Prepare monthly prebills for distribution to attorneys, including for more complex/difficult client bills
• Audit prebills to ensure proper rates and/or special arrangements are accurate, and enter approved timekeepers in Aderant
• Revalue rates on prebills as needed
• Manage Bill Groups in Aderant to ensure client contact and currency are accurate
• Manage Bill Formats in Aderant to ensure invoices meet partner and client requirements
• Edit, prepare and review finalized monthly prebills for accuracy prior to posting
• Process and monitor the e-billing process including managing new timekeeper/rate approval process, confirming that the Bill Distribution Method in Aderant and BillBlast are in sync in an effort to prevent e-billing errors for those clients that are electronically billed, and ensure that invoices are successfully submitted, including monthly estimates of accruals
• Ensure supporting documents accompany invoices pursuant to client requirement
• Research rejections, handle appeals, and short pays and client payment disputes in a timely fashion
• Verify daily new business memo and ensure correct input of information and special billing arrangements for assigned clients
• Communicate with attorneys and secretaries to address any billing questions or report requests as it pertains to billing or collections, as well as ad hoc billing and collections analysis as requested by assigned partners or clients
• Handle incoming and outgoing accounting correspondence in a timely fashion
• Prepare Accounts Receivable write-off according to firm policy
• Meet with partners monthly to discuss WIP and AR inventory, and keeping them informed about potential issues to determine the best course of action
• Monitor office monthly billable WIP and report status to management
• Work with Collections staff to collect aged accounts receivables, including driving collection initiatives aimed at reducing loss
• Assist cash receipts team to identify payment allocations when application instructions are missing or are inaccurate. Coordinate refunds and transfers between IOLTA and operating accounts
• Coordinate Annual rate setting process at beginning of new year for assigned partners and clients
• Assist in transitioning matters handled by departing attorneys and determine which matters are inactive in an effort to facilitate matters to be closed where appropriate
• Train new Billing & Collections personnel
• Maintain billing filing system on a monthly basis
• Assist with various time and billing reports as needed
• Serve as a resource for Billing Specialists and Assistants to answer questions and provide advice

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Two year degree required, or four year degree preferred, with specialization in accounting or finance preferred
• 5+ years law firm billing experience required
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with partners, senior management and clients.
• Ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Strong service orientation and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, office and firm management, and outside business partners
• Ability to use critique of work to improve performance
• Identify issues and problems with assignments
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adjust to changing priorities in a professional manner
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects with specific deadlines; strong attention to detail
• Ability to deal with stress around deadlines
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary to fulfill time sensitive responsibilities
• Commitment to professional growth and development

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP participates in E-Verify for purposes of verifying employment eligibility