Billing Assistant
Can be based from Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham or Cardiff.
We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with 5,000+ colleagues in more than 30 countries. We're full service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we're equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we're purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We're ambitious for our clients, our communities - and for you. Whether you're starting out on your career or well established, whether you're a lawyer or in business services. If you're looking for what's next, we are too.
What to expect
For business professionals, our environment is highly collaborative with value being placed on diversity of ideas, skills and mindsets. Not least yours. It's energetic, fast-moving and there's always something new to get involved in. You will get exposure across geographies and the firm as a whole. The future is a place of opportunity. Focusing on your success and for what's next, will ensure you thrive too.
Our team
As one of the largest full service global law practices, our support team play a fundamental role in delivering a professional client service for both our UK and international offices. Adding value and supporting our stakeholders is the key to the success of our teams. If you thrive on being challenged and enjoy working in a highly motivated team, have a can-do approach with good communication skills, we look forward to meeting you.
We believe people develop through learning and are transforming our approach to learning and performance
through our feedback and development culture and an innovative approach to professional development for
all of our people. This underpins our high performance culture so that our people feel managed, supported
and developed continuously and as part of their everyday work. Our comprehensive learning programmes
are delivered globally using a blended learning approach, which combines technical and business skills as
well as talent development.
Role and key responsibilities
The role of the Billing Assistant is to successfully bill in line with the Client's billing protocols. The Billing Assistant will be the designated expert in relation to the client's billing requirements. They will be required to work closely with the e-billing teams and the wider finance teams to provide a seamless and 'right first time' billing experience for our clients.
This involves making sure all SLA's are met, emails within the group mailboxes are responded to within a timely manner, proformas are actioned 3 times a day, fee earners are chased by the Billing Assistants each month to reduce WIP and bill on time. You will also link in with the your Billing Analyst to support the strategic growth and development within the Business, looking at automation, reducing manual processes and resolving rejections. As a team member, you will be viewed as the lead biller and be confident in your delivery to support the firms continued success.
The role also covers 3 elements; matter validation, billing support and additional requests. In addition to these, they will be expected to understand the implications of billing on firm-wide cash flow and lock up.
Skills and experience
Matter validation
- Open files correctly and aligned to the client's agreed framework agreement.
- Matter management - WIP - knowing who works on the files, ensuring their time gets closed before billing. Keeping WIP clean and relevant.
- Ensuring ledger financial hygiene is maintained (write offs, transfers, nil rate trainee time, BTK amends etc.)
- Review matters on a regular basis and close down when dormant, keeping our files clean.
- Identification of process gaps or inefficiencies and the provision of training for legal teams on correct and improved matter protocols
Billing Support
- Receiving, checking and collating overseas agents' invoices to ensure they are attributed to the correct files as disbursements, by validating the supplier invoices pre-approved on Elite, reducing the need for anticipated costs.
- Providing guidance to fee earners, partners and secretaries on the firm's financial processes and procedures relating to the billing process as well as building and managing relationships within Finance
- Validation of proformas in line with client protocols, and return to BTKs any bills which are not compliant with these protocols, along with advising the correct process/procedure.
- Dealing with client queries on invoices and financial matters.
- Co-ordination and resolution of e-billing rejections
Additional Requests
- Running Client Summary Reports, looking for opportunities to improve WIP and Disbursement management.
- You will also need to undertake any ad hoc projects related to financial housekeeping and provide appropriate support as and when required to assist Working Capital.
- Work with the Dormant Balance Team to reduce the dormant balances down for your clients/practice groups.