Client Accounts Administrator - PT/MT at DLA Piper in Palo Alto, California

Client Accounts Administrator

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let's see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary The Client Accounts Administrator, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm's strategic initiatives, is expected to successfully manage the firm's top-tier billing portfolios based on defined support models to include high volumes and fees for institutional, high-profile clients and attorneys. You will serve as a proxy for regional supervisors as needed and are considered a subject-matter expert in the field of billing. You will represent the department by participating in client meetings and across groups and set and drive agendas impacting billing practices and processes. You will work with a team of support specialists within both Legal Support Services and Accounting teams providing effective, streamlined billing and client accounting services to attorneys of the firm. You are responsible for handling the most complex domestic and global billing clients. The Client Accounts Administrator edits, proofreads, finalizes, and submits invoices to clients on a monthly billing cycle. You will research client billing data and provide detailed analysis to attorneys and support staff. As part of the team, you will provide and ensure a cohesive, full-cycle billing support solution to billing attorneys with complex domestic and international billing books. You will provide training and mentoring to other staff members on all billing procedures.

Location This position can sit in our San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Phoenix, San Diego, or Seattle office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

• US Clients
• Expected to manage complex billing in terms of volumes, global clients, and electronic billing assignments.
• Performs a variety of duties to support the full billing cycle to include reviewing and editing prebills, seeking requisite approvals for deferrals, write-offs and time transfers.
• Fields billing inquiries. Track and resolve tickets assigned by the Accounting Service Desk on a daily basis. Meets SLA requirements for response and resolution.
• High level of proficiency in BillBlast and key electronic billing vendor sites, quality assurance prior to client invoice finalization, and root-cause analysis for electronic bill rejection. Pursues root-cause rejection resolution.
• Maintains an accurate description of all client billing requirements which may also include guidelines established by the client's general counsel. Updates and tracks change to the requirements as necessary. Able to summarize and communicate with key stakeholders.
• Responsible for obtaining complex monthly reporting that may require collaboration with other teams. Reviews data for accuracy prior to submitting.
• Gathers and submits accrual information based on client requirements.
• Finalizes invoices and submits directly to the client (per policy) or provides to attorneys for transmission to the client (per approved exceptions to policy). Includes other billing information as needed.
• Submits finalized invoices electronically based on client requirements.
• Continuously strives to improve client service and deliverables. Utilizes knowledge of the legal industry to deliver appropriate solutions to the client.
• Share expertise and knowledge to support team member development. Effectively engaged with all team members.
• Able to proxy for or with managers when additional team support is required.
• Drives improvements through collaboration with other departments.
• Engages appropriate tools and resources provided to effectively deliver assignments and meet deadlines. Manages time efficiently.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Global Clients
• Coordinates and leads global client unified billing. This includes managing global client account assignments and performing all full-cycle billing functions associated with both the firm's and the client's billing requirements.
• Responsible for obtaining complex monthly reporting that may require collaboration with other teams. Reviews data for accuracy prior to submitting.
• Liaises directly, or via assigned team support, with international counterparts to obtain accurate accrual and forecast information for monthly client reporting.
• Keeps U.S. Billing Timekeeper informed and follows up with international counterparts as required to ensure that engaged locations stay within budget and issues invoices timely. Initiates troubleshooting issues with finance counterparts as needed.
• Track and resolve tickets assigned by the Accounting Service Desk on a daily basis.
• Generates global client LEDES files for electronic billing based on client requirements.

Desired Skills Strong communication and interpersonal skills required to interact with staff and timekeepers. Must be team-oriented and have ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Must be an accurate proofreader and have strong attention to detail. Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex problems required. Must have proven analytical skills. Has ability to work independently and is able to take direction well.

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or similar field highly preferred.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 5 years' experience successfully managing high volume billing portfolios in a fast-paced environment. Must have an expert level of knowledge and experience with direct billing or client accounts (to include domestic, global and e-Billing) for a law or professional services organization required. Experience as a team leader preferred. Is considered a subject-matter expert. Strong computer skills including advanced proficiency in Excel and accounting system, such as Aderant. Requires proficiency in e-billing applications, such as Bill Blast or e-Billing Hub.

Essential Job Expectations While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm's discretion in the future.

Disclaimer The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. Accommodation Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Agency applications will not be considered. No immigration sponsorship is available for this position. The firm's expected hiring range for this position is $41.20 - $65.51 per hour depending on the candidate's geographic market location. Non-exempt positions will