Description
Who we are: BAL is a team of brilliant people who change lives through elite immigration work and collaborative innovation. We pursue the exceptional in all that we do, but never at the expense of our values. There’s no denying our work is demanding, both in volume and pace, but we’re up for the challenge. We love the balance of hard work and fun – so, you’ll see us in jeans as we shatter glass ceilings and conventional stereotypes. BAL employees feel valued, rewarded, and respected. We seek opportunities to be of service to others and our communities. We are committed to your growth and development, and want to set you up for success here at BAL and beyond.
Who you are: You are looking for work that has a purpose. You aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves and get stuff done. You learn quickly. You move fast. You embrace challenge and detail as well as creative thinking. You believe you have something unique to contribute and you aren’t afraid to raise your hand. You understand that powering human achievement is ultimately about impacting a real person. You are looking for a place to grow and an environment where everyone has a spot and is genuinely welcome.
We’re better together: A bright, driven person like you and an industry-leading powerhouse like BAL? It’s a perfect combination! We truly want to see you succeed here and become an integral part of our mission to provide an experience that makes a positive difference in people’s lives. Come be a part of something special, where you can have an impact and be valued just for being you!
In addition to competitive pay, a discretionary annual bonus, and a supportive, team oriented culture, we offer an outstanding benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, sick time, unlimited vacation, and 401(k) with company match.
OVERVIEW:
The Manager, Billing and Collections is responsible for sustaining a high performing collections and billing team. This leader will design billing solutions for clients with varied billing requirements and working closely with attorneys to ensure exceptional service level to both the internal and external customers. The incumbent will address tight deadlines, while ensuring that all billing activities including invoice preparation, invoice review, data mining, billing metrics reporting are completed in a timely manner, while developing workflow process improvements.
You will also manage the client collections function of the Firm. This will include ensuring that proper collection procedures are in place, and the processing and application of client payment receipts are in accordance with those procedures. The Billing and Collections Manager reports to the Director, Revenue Management and Pricing and works closely with the Managing Partners and department managers.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage the firm-wide operations of the Billing and Collections Department and the oversight of firm wide Accounts Receivable to include contacting all clients and reconciling all accounts for clients.
- Use knowledge of billing, client matters, other Accounting areas and problem-solving techniques to address questions regarding bills from clients and attorneys.
- Monitor work in progress, provide reports, and follow up with attorneys as necessary.
- Responsible for the timely completion of all month-end billing activities, the month-end close, month-end reporting and the distribution of pre-bills.
- Review monthly work in process aging reports and work with legal teams to ensure timely billing.
- Responsible for client specific protocols and procedures.
- Provide assistance in resolving client cost invoice issues and unapplied client payment issues.
- Evaluate the department’s policies, practices and procedures and identify and recommend necessary changes to the processes, policies and staffing, as needed. Generate and implement policies and procedures. Continuous review to ensure proper controls exist, procedures are followed, and updates are processed.
- Develop strategies to streamline and improve the automation of customized billing while improving coordination with all applicable parties to provide accurate and timely billing.
- Evaluate and recommend new work procedures to meet the changing needs of the Firm.
- Manage incoming Engagement Letter process and client fees implementation. Work closely with the Pricing team to maintain and update client fees.
- Collaborate with the other finance department staff to support overall department goals and objectives.
- Develop new billing and reporting procedures for clients with alternative fee arrangements.
- Ensure all cash/credit cards/wires are posted on a daily basis.
- Facilitate adjustment process: track/monitor/make sure they are processed in a timely manner.
- Coordinate payment arrangements with clients.
- Set up firm wide Collections policies and procedures.
- Generate all A/R reports including but not limited to: Aging Report, DSO.
- Recommend write offs to CFO/Managing Partner.
- Developing relationships with corporate Accounts Payable Departments and individual clients.
- Provide constant recommendations to increase collection percentage and to achieve and maintain at least an 80% current receivables ratio.
- Provide recommendations for handling debtors and bad accounts, then making a determination on escalation procedures with the CFO.
- Occasionally work with outside Collections Agencies, as necessary.
- Maintaining and archiving all collection paperwork and related files.
- Organize and prioritize work to assure that department functions are performed accurately and timely.
- Foster team building, collaboration and cooperation among all Billing personnel.
- Manage the performance of employees through goal setting, ongoing performance assessment, coaching and counseling.
- Supervise, train, and oversee assignments to various members of the Accounting staff.
- Approval of timecards for all staff within Billings and Collections.
- Return all calls and emails within 24 hours and follow through on all receivable issues.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of 8 years collections experience in a professional service environment including 8 years of progressively responsible billing experience.
- Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience.
- Bachelor Degree in Business, Accounting, or Finance or equivalent experience.
- MBA is preferred.
- Intimate knowledge of the collection process (especially in a professional service organization).
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as presentation skills.
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel is a must.
- Experience with various accounting software systems is helpful.
- General accounting knowledge with strong emphasis on account reconciliations.
- Comprehensive knowledge of billing procedures and implementation.
- Experience in law firm is highly desirable.
- 2 years foreign currency billing.
- Experience using a billing software (Aderant a plus).
- Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise with global leaders and operational teams and build effective working relationships both internally, and outside of the firm.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent planning, organization and writing skills, including an ability to present and persuade others based on analysis of issues.
- High level of analytical ability and strong problem solving skills are required to gather and interpret data for complex situations.
- Great customer service attitude and approach.
- Adept at inspiring, influencing, and motivating individuals and groups to achieve results.
- Self starter, able to prioritize, multi task and to work independently and as a team player.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Able to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time.
- Able to stoop, kneel, bend at the waist and reach on a daily basis.
- Able to perform general office administrative activities: copying, filing, delivering and using the telephone.
- Able to lift and move up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Regular and on-time attendance.
- Must be able to prioritize, schedule and complete testing required for multiple applications with overlapping schedules.
- A certain degree of creativity and flexibility is required.
- Hours may exceed 40 hours per week.
- Occasional travel by conventional means including aircraft, motor vehicle and the like within the region and to other locations as required.
Note: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with this job.
Berry Appleman & Leiden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of BAL to ensure an equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. BAL prohibits and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.
