Client Accounting Manager

Vaco is hiring for a Client Accounting Manager opportunity in Cleveland OH.
Direct Hire, Onsite
Salary: 80-120,000/yr

Job Summary:
The Client Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing all client financial operations, including billing, collections, and compliance with client agreements. This role serves as a strategic liaison between attorneys, clients, and internal accounting teams to ensure accurate matter setup, timely invoicing, and efficient cash flow. This role requires strong leadership skills, comprehensive knowledge of law firm billing practices, and the ability to implement process improvements that enhance client satisfaction and optimize financial performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Partners and internal teams to ensure complete and accurate client and matter set up, including engagement letters, fee arrangements, billing guidelines, and collection terms.

• Review and approve matter agreements and billing arrangements (such as standard rates, IP fee schedules, flat fees, discounts, and client-specific requirements) and ensure accurate entry into 3E.

• Provide guidance on unidentified payments and work with clients to establish clear processes for accurate application of future payments.

• Act as the primary liaison between Partners and accounting teams to resolve billing inquiries, discrepancies, and compliance issues.

• Monitor and maintain client and matter data to prevent invoice disputes and collection delays.

• Oversee billing accuracy and timeliness, ensuring invoices comply with client agreements and firm policies.

• Design and implement processes to improve collections' efforts and overall cash flow.

• Coordinate with attorneys to implement appropriate billing actions for past-due accounts and establish collection procedures for problem accounts.

• Maintain detailed records of collection procedures implemented for client accounts.

• Prepare and analyze reports on delinquency activity and status to identify trends and improve collections effectiveness.

• Review and enhance existing collections policies and procedures to establish effective guidelines and best practices.

• Maintain positive client and attorney relationships while addressing billing and collections issues.

• Manage the Firm's Trust account in compliance with applicable regulations and firm policies.

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance billing efficiency, accuracy, and overall financial performance.

• Lead, coach, and develop billing, cash application, and collections teams; conduct regular meetings, performance reviews, and support professional growth.

• Serve as the escalation point for clients, attorneys, and internal teams; research and resolve complex billing issues, including account analysis and invoice processing.

• Collaborate with IT and vendor support to troubleshoot system issues and implement technical solutions or integrations.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or MBA preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of professional billing and collections experience in a law firm or similar environment.

• Minimum of 3 years of management experience leading billing or accounting teams.

• Proficiency in 3E, eBilling Hub, and vendor eBilling portals, including Billing Point, Bottomline-Legal X, BrightFlag, Collaborate, CounselLink, CounselGo, Legal Tracker, and TyMetrix (T360).

• Strong computer skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis).

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement skills.

• Strong communication and client service capabilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.