Reporting to the Billing Manager, the Billing Supervisor will have direct oversight of Billing Specialists and/or Billing Coordinators, ensuring consistent, high quality billing processes and operational efficiencies are being followed throughout the department. This includes ensuring that the client bills are processed timely and in accordance with the client agreement. The Billing Supervisor will also help the Billing Manager manage the workloads and staffing of the department, ensuring that there is sufficient coverage to provide our lawyers and legal secretaries with a high level of billing support. The Billing Supervisor regularly collaborates with other accounting departments, including Electronic Billing, Accounts Receivable, Cash Applications, Cost Recovery, Pricing, Financial Terms Management, Client Contracts, Accounts Payable and Revenue Management, to help minimize any financial exposure to the Firm. Finally, the Billing Supervisor will serve as the Billing Specialist for a portfolio of clients or partners that require a sophisticated level of knowledge and skill.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Primary responsibilities may include and are not limited to:
- Coordinate daily operations of the Billing Specialist team including workload balancing (due to vacations or unscheduled absences) and ad hoc requests to ensure invoices are completed in an accurate and timely fashion. Issues will be timely escalated to the Billing Manager as needed.
- Provide targeted training and mentoring to Billing Specialist team regarding the preparation of client proformas, advanced electronic billing functions, rate code procedures, unallocated fund allocation, and unbilled time status.
- Lead by example with regard to how to appropriately provide superior customer service to billing partners as well as staff.
- Monitor team performance using various billing metrics and provide ongoing feedback and mentoring to all direct reports. In conjunction with the Billing Manager, write and conduct annual performance appraisals.
- Work in a collaborative fashion with other departments such as Accounts Receivable, Financial Terms Management, Client Contracts and Electronic Billing to research and resolve billing issues around invoice submission.
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of complex billing arrangements, Outside Counsel Guidelines, and electronic billing challenges for their assigned billing as well as that of their direct reports.
- Assist Billing Manager with special assignments/projects, including various system testing, pilot programs, policy discussions, process improvements, etc.
- Partner with Firmwide Billing management to develop training tools and materials for Billing Specialists. Assist with implementing these processes and procedures at a local level and ensuring their success.
- Suggest and assist the Billing Manager with the development and implementation of process improvements and changes to the Billing department.
- Serve as backup when the Billing Manager is out of the office. This includes delegated approval and authority for time and attendance, vacation requests, and other delegated responsibilities.
- Monitor adherence to Accounting policies and procedures for their assigned billing as well as that of their direct reports.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and/or Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- A minimum of five years of billing experience
- Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or supervising less experienced billing staff
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with the ability to use advanced Excel features
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field
- Previous experience at a law firm or other professional services firm
- Experience with 3E or other legal billing systems and electronic billing vendor sites
Other Skills and Abilities:
The following will also be required of the successful candidate:
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Good judgment
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
- Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
The target salary range for this role is:
$107,300 - $155,000 if located in New York. Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email sidleytalentacquisition@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).
Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.