Ulmer & Berne LLP, established in 1908, focuses on exceeding client expectations and delivering superior, customized legal solutions for an exceptional value. From offices in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, Columbus, New York, Washington, D.C., and Boca Raton, Ulmer's attorneys handle cutting-edge, complex matters on a national basis across all practice areas, while retaining the work ethic, rates, and user-friendly attitudes reflective of the firm's Midwest origins. Ulmer emphasizes world-class service and sophisticated industry expertise with flexible billing arrangements.

We are currently seeking a Billing Manager who is primarily responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of time entries, client billings, and cash receipts. Duties include the creation, maintenance, monitoring and analysis of all client budgets and alternative fee arrangements. The Billing manager oversees the set up and maintenance of all new clients/matters and personnel ensuring that rates, disbursements, billing frequencies, special formatting considerations and e-billing requirements are adhered to and met. This individual is further entrusted with the maintenance and oversight of the firm's standard/approved and special billing rates and is responsible for the development and maintenance of bill formats. The position must develop strong collaborative relationships with attorneys throughout the full cycle of client invoicing. Responsible for managing and supervising the billing staff and ensuring optimal billing and service levels.

Essential Functions:

• Administers all firm billing procedures including managing all billing functions and develops and implements new billing procedures
• Manages full life-cycle billing relationships and processes for client matters; manage pre-bill to final bill process, ensure the accurate and timely processing of time, pre-bills, bills and other pertinent billing information
• Collaborates with billing attorneys to establish and manage billing structures, including potential discounts, fee caps, tiered discounts and/or matter budgets and to ensure accounts support both attorney and client specifications
• Maintains and manage the firm’s standard/approved and special billing rates and is responsible for the development and maintenance of bill formats
• Ensures the accuracy of all timekeeper billing rates and the maintenance of any special rate billing arrangements
• Responsible for successful submission and troubleshooting of invoicing process including the setup of new clients
• Communicates directly with clients as requested or established
• Ensures that the firm’s billings comply with all client and third party requirements
• Ensures compliance with monthly billing including implementing appropriate tracking methodologies to ensure that billings are complete
• Establishes working relationships with e-billing site vendors, ensure all rates are up-to-date on the sites
• Monitors e-billing sites for inconsistencies with respect to short payments and potential non-payment issues
• Prepare, analyze and review fee budgets as required by partners, clients and others; work with firm management, billing partners and practice management to develop best practices for efficient and effective project management of matters
• Develops analysis and research related to client portfolios, providing detailed documentation, statistics, and recommendations as required
• Responds to inquiries relating to accruals, provide rate analysis, recommend solutions to billing trends, and provide ad hoc reports
• Regularly reviews the billing department procedures, recommend and implement changes that save time, labor, and other costs to improve efficiency
• Coordinates the day-to-day work activities of the billing staff including adhering to policies and procedures, ensure timely delivery to attorneys, assign duties and monitor daily workflow, and implement quality assurance procedures
• Directly supervises billing staff and is responsible for their overall directions, coordination, and evaluation; has a thorough knowledge of all duties performed by staff members
• Appropriately develops and challenges staff to meet job requirements
• Assists outside offices with implementation of correct billing policies and procedures

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in dedicated billing, or account management. Six or more years’ supervisory experience along with law firm experience preferred.

Must possess strong technical analysis skills and advanced Excel capabilities. Must have working knowledge of automated accounting systems and knowledge of general accounting principles, preferably in systems such as Aderant and/or Elite. Experience with third party electronic billers highly preferred.

Most possess analytical and critical thinking skills requiring a comprehensive knowledge of accounting principles and practices in order to conduct detailed analysis of billing portfolios.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent organizational skills including record keeping, data collection, and system information
• A commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, advisors and staff, while maintaining an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement
• Ability to multi-task with strong communication skills to maintain effective relationships both verbally and through written communications
• Ability to apply complex mathematical concepts to compute, reconcile balances, verify numerical data, and prepare various billing reports
• Computer proficiency with in-depth knowledge of Aderant (preferred) or Elite, and third-party electronic billing vendors such as BillBast, e-BillingHub, TyMetrix or Serengeti, Excel, Outlook, and MS Word.
• Advanced proficiency and extensive experience in Microsoft Excel
• Strong initiative to proactively increase value to the position; willingness and ability to assume new tasks and responsibilities
• Strong service orientation and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users, office and firm management, and outside business partners
• Ability to organize time, prioritize workload effectively, and work independently
• Ability to handle stressful situations with firm personnel and/or clients

Ulmer & Berne offers an outstanding benefit package with includes: medical/dental, 401(k) with employer contribution, life insurance, short and long term disability plans, and a generous paid time off policy.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to the attention Human Resources at Ulmer & Berne LLP at www.ulmer.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer