Role purpose
To manage a client revenue function in the London office. The client revenue function will coordinate assignments, budgeting, billing, e-billing, collecting, and reporting for clients of both local and non-local offices.
Main responsibilities
* Influence Billing Partners/Matter Management Attorneys and local billing teams across all offices via regular communication to achieve agreed billing cycle deadlines.
* Ensure compliance with agreed billing processes and procedures throughout the local and global billing community with assistance from the Pricing Team.
* Ensure matters fully reflect client requirements and maintain our clients' data in SAP.
* Address all WIP balances; monthly WIP for project matters should be no older than 30 - 60 days.
* Communicate to the local billing community via regular meetings on client changes and how this impacts their day-to-day roles.
* Ensure compliance with relevant client fee deals and terms of engagement.
* Deliver decisive analysis and advice on billings, WIP, AR, and Client accounts as the finance expert for key client relationships.
* Keep schedules/WIP Tracker Reports up to date, to report on status as and when required.
* Attend regular internal meetings/calls with local and overseas billing teams (where necessary) to discuss lock-up and recommendations for action.
* Work closely with Revenue Team Leader and Revenue Manager to ensure appropriate escalation of issues.
* Spot-check invoices for accuracy and collaborate with the Matter Management, Pricing Analyst, and eBilling Team to identify and address causes of inaccuracy.
* Work closely with other CSR with the same clients to ensure seamless service provision.
* Present options and recommendations to client teams on requests received, based on general know-how of SAP and the most efficient processes.
* Attend regular internal team meetings to discuss issues of concern and resolution, and share resolutions to issues/positive changes to existing processes.
* Manage/deliver bespoke analysis requested by client teams and local office Finance Management at periodic intervals or on an ad-hoc basis; revisit them to see if they can be automated.
* Lead client meetings/calls in the areas of lock-up, ensuring the billing cycle is efficiently coordinated between clients and the Firm.
* Create a network both internally and externally linking in contacts to maximize efficiency around the billing cycle and collections management.
* Be the first point of contact for the practice, business, and clients on all financial issues in London.
* Be accountable for the management of both paper and electronic billing for clients and keep track/records of bills sent directly to the client or passed by Fee Earners.
* Be versed in HMRC, Solicitors Regulatory Authority, and Firms Guidelines to ensure compliance.
Travel requirements: Limited (if any).
About the Team:
The Finance function provides the following services to the Firm:
* Supporting strategic decision-making from a financial and business perspective.
* Managing cash flow, including accounts payable, credit checks, billing, and collections.
* Ensuring Firm-wide purchasing excellence and efficiency.
* Providing financial reporting, budgets, and forecasts.
* Securing financing across the global Firm.
You will report to: Client Revenue Manager, Finance & Accounting.
Key relationships: Internal Clients, Fee Earners, Support Staff, and External Clients including Vendors.
Technical skills, qualifications and experience
* Significant knowledge of and experience with SAP, and especially the Firm's current implementation.
* Significant knowledge and experience of electronic billing systems.
* Significant business administrative experience.
* Experience advising senior leadership on key issues and making appropriate decisions to support Firm needs.
* Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
* An energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards.
* Sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgement, and strong operational focus; well organized and a team player.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to deal effectively at all levels.
* Able to establish productive working relationships with Billing Partners, Client Managers, Business Development Leads, Matter Management Partners, Overseas Offices, and Global Shared Services Teams.
* Commercial pragmatic attitude and understanding of client relationships.
* Able to establish working relationships with a client's accounts payable and procurement teams.
* Able to influence clients to refine current billing practices and resolve issues without detriment to the overall client relationship.
* Deliver high-quality work and maintain a courteous and professional manner.
* Able to present information concisely and professionally.
* Deal with sensitive information appropriately.
* Positive, polite, and attentive in all situations, responding promptly to requests.
* Demonstrates a positive approach to teamwork and is a reliable and effective team member.
* Aware of the impact of own actions and modifies behaviours accordingly.
* Willing to assist team members even when busy.
* Work effectively with others outside formal lines of authority to accomplish organizational goals.
* Respect and enjoy the diversity of cultural, social, and academic backgrounds found in the Firm.
These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.
Know how
* Demonstrates the ability to identify real issues, anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distills a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner.
* Capacity to take on new ideas and develop knowledge, thinking holistically about business and addressing media, analyst, employee, and client audiences.
* Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis.
Dedication
* Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards.
* Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative, and is self-reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible.
* Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands.
* Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations.
Personal Impact
* Uses complex, coordinated influencing/negotiation strategies, adapted to people, organizations, and/or the situation.
* Leverages direct reports to facilitate increased collaboration across the organization.
* Builds partnerships based on a common agreement that acknowledges individual differences but creates a new commonality.
* Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity.
* Negotiates to achieve mutually satisfactory outcomes; shows good judgment on when to stand strong and when to compromise.
* Invests in, nurtures, and builds a network of productive relationships.
Humanity
* Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent.
* Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people.
* Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion.
Why Join Us?
Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world's most dynamic and successful business organizations through our 13,200 people in 74 offices in 45 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this - how we work, think, and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.
In London, you will be part of a 1,000 person office, which is also our largest office globally. Originally opened in 1961, Baker McKenzie London is well established in the UK as a leading international law firm and is regularly involved in some of the country's most high-profile legal matters. We can offer you the work, pride, and experience of being part of a leading law firm but in a local office environment that is hardworking, friendly, and supportive.
The strength of the firm and our culture is evidenced by a number of recent awards, including:
* Thomson Reuters Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index, 2010-2022 - ranked 1st.
* The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2021-2022: ranked 52nd.
* Thomson Reuters ranked the Firm No. 1 for cross-border deals for the last 12 years.
* For the 14th consecutive year, the Firm was ranked first for deals with emerging market involvement.
* Law360 ranked the Firm as one of the 400 Largest US Law Firms in 2020.
* Identified as one of the Hall of Fame for best law firms for women by Working Mother magazine, 2011-2021.
* Received a Gold Award in Stonewall's Global Workplace Equality Index of Top Global Employers for LGBTQ+ Inclusion.
* Ranked as one of the Top 20 Employers in the 2023 Social Mobility Employer Index.
* Received Double Certification for earning top marks in the 2022 Corporate Equality Index.
* Winner of the Europe Mentorship Programme - International Firm award in the Euromoney Women in Business Law Europe Awards 2021.
Please click on the Apply icon to start the online application process for this role. We will then be in touch with you once we have reviewed your application.
For more information about this position or to discuss any adjustments you may require during the process please contact in confidence, David Roberts, Recruitment Manager, at david.roberts@bakermckenzie.com.
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Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
As the first truly global law firm, diversity and inclusion are foundational to our culture and strategic vision. We are a Firm of individuals from across the globe with different backgrounds, ideas, and points of view who collegially work together to solve complex problems and design practical solutions for our clients. Our global strategy is focused on our people, our culture, our clients, and the communities where we operate.
Baker McKenzie London has been accredited by Disability Confident, joining over 18,000 organizations that have signed up to help change behaviors and cultures in businesses, networks, and communities.
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