Client Account Specialist

Under general supervision, produces timely and accurate bills for clients, including e-bills, and performs specific billing and e-billing tasks and projects. Manages quality control, deadlines, timely reporting on billing status, and applies thorough analysis of special billing arrangements. Is a resource for others, troubleshoots procedural issues, and assists systems team with upgrades and testing. May directly support assigned billing attorneys in full cycle of account management, including account set up, billing and collection arrangements, and inventory management. Ensures client service and satisfaction are attained in all areas of position.

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**

**Billing**
- Prepares client bills for billing attorneys; collaborates closely in revisions and takes primary role in correction of time/cost errors; ensures accuracy and timeliness and demonstrates understanding of underlying principles of client billing.
- Assists with creating and maintaining matter budgets, matter plans, and status reports; prepares specialized reports as needed.
- Assists Client Account Managers with annual rate change process with billing attorneys, management, and administration.
- Collaborates with team to troubleshoot, make improvements, and test new feature and upgrades.

**E-Billing**
- Performs, documents and helps to troubleshoot e-billing for a group of clients; including those clients represented by his/her billing attorneys. Coordinates data collection for e-billing matter set-up and on-going e-billing maintenance. Supports matter set-up, including timekeeper and billing rate set-up and approval, both on the vendor site and within the firm’s billing system.
- Reviews and processes e-billing documentation according to attorney instruction and department procedures; Reviews e-billing documents and client and matter master files for special deals and obtains necessary documentation if deal is not properly reflected in e-billing.
- Helps to develop the firm’s e-billing efforts by reviewing procedures and suggesting improvements.

**Master Files and Time Gathering**
- Responsible for time sensitive master files tasks such as client and matter address, UDF and other set ups as needed.
- Performs time gathering as needed for specific clients to facilitate bringing time from Carpe Diem to Elite.

**Client Account Support**
- Oversee full billing and collection lifecycle. Print and distribute prebills; work with attorneys to edit and finalize bills; follow up on collections and contacting clients as needed.
- Become familiar with billing rate structures including potential discounts. Check rates and guidelines; set up e-billing and liaison with e-billing coordinator and attorneys as needed; monitor fee caps, tier discounts and matter budgets and have alerts set up as needed.
- Work closely to coordinate all processes from engagement to collections with tact, diplomacy, and effective negotiation skills. Build and maintain internal and peer client relationships; build and maintain external client relationships.
- Review invoices in depth; finalize invoices and submit in formats meeting attorney and client requirements. Review invoice templates and ensure client specifications are met; review invoices to ensure e-billing requirements have been met and guidelines are being adhered to; respond to any internal and external client inquiries relating to client/matters.
- Work with team members to provide analysis and research related to assigned portfolios as needed; providing concise, detail-based documentation, statistics, and recommendations.
- Prepare effective monthly billing and collections forecasts for assigned portfolio. Update the prebill status report, target cash and star collect; daily monitoring of billing and collection numbers.
- Concisely communicate the billing and collection arrangements with clients on their matters.
- Establish effective backup support processes to ensure seamless support for all portfolio matters.

**Education and Experience**
- Minimum two years law firm billing experience, preferably in a large law firm.

**Teamwork and Applied Skills**
- Elite experience strongly preferred.
- Strong 10-key skills required.
- Intermediate Excel skills required.
- Ability to understand and analyze billing information and historical data.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions with high degree of accuracy.
- Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with individuals at all levels within and outside of the Firm.
- Excellent organizational skills; ability to prioritize work and to work independently.
- Strong time management skills and sense of urgency to requests.
- Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines under sometimes stressful conditions.
- Ability to keep observations or viewpoints regarding Firm business confidential.

Who We Are

At Morrison Foerster, our culture is defined by our deeds. We’re passionate about what we do. We’re equally passi