Cash Applications Manager

Cash Applications Manager - Law Firm - Hybrid

Current/prior law firm industry experience is 100% required!!

Position Overview

The Cash Applications Manager will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the cash receipts department, ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing and reconciliation of all incoming client payments. This individual will lead a dedicated team to manage high-volume transactions across multiple entities, offices, and currencies.

Note: Prior financial operations experience within a law firm environment is strictly required for this position. The successful candidate must possess a deep understanding of law firm economics, compliance standards and legal billing software.

Key Responsibilities

• Payment Processing & Oversight: Oversee the daily matching, posting, and reconciliation of all incoming client payments (Wires, ACH, checks, credit cards, and electronic payment platforms) against outstanding invoices.

• Team Leadership: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of cash application specialists. Establish performance metrics, manage daily workflows, and cross-train staff to ensure seamless operational coverage.

• Discrepancy Resolution: Partner with Billing Specialists, Collections, and individual Attorneys/Partners to investigate and resolve short payments, unapplied cash, unidentified receipts, and complex multi-matter payment allocations.

• Systems & Data Integrity: Maintain the integrity of the firm's financial management systems. Audit data entry to eliminate posting errors and ensure precise reporting of Work-in-Progress (WIP) and Accounts Receivable (AR).

• Process Optimization: Continually evaluate cash application workflows. Identify opportunities to leverage automation, streamline the lockbox process, and reduce manual data entry.

• Month-End Reconciliation: Collaborate with the general accounting team during month-end closing procedures, ensuring all cash receipts are balanced and ledger accounts are fully reconciled.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of experience in payment application, accounts receivable, or cash management, with at least 2–3 years spent directly within a law firm environment.

• Leadership: Minimum of 2+ years of direct supervisory or management experience over a financial operations or accounting team.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred (substantial direct law firm accounting experience may be considered in lieu of a degree).

• Technical Skills:

  • Hands-on proficiency with major legal enterprise resource planning (ERP) and practice management systems (e.g., Aderant, 3E or Elite Enterprise).

  • Familiarity with legal e-billing hubs and payment platforms (e.g., electronic lockboxes, Bill.com, or legal-specific merchant processors).

  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, data manipulation).

• Core Competencies:

  • Deep knowledge of law firm billing structures, split-billing configurations, and multi-matter client structures.

  • An eagle eye for detail with a proven ability to manage high-volume, deadline-driven environments.

  • Excellent professional communication skills, with the diplomacy required to interface directly with Shareholders, Partners, and corporate client accounts.