What are the responsibilities and job description for the Billing Manager position at Williams Mullen Clark Dobbins PC?
Position Summary
The Billing Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm’s client billing operations to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant invoicing. This role manages the full billing cycle, supervises the billing team, partners closely with attorneys and finance leadership, and serves as the firm’s subject‑matter expert on the Firm’s billing systems. The Billing Manager plays a critical role in revenue realization, client satisfaction, and process optimization in a fast‑paced legal environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Billing Operations & Compliance
- Manage the end‑to‑end billing process for a 250‑attorney law firm, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant client invoices.
- Oversee billing for complex fee arrangements, including hourly, alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), retainers, discounts, and write‑ups/write‑downs.
- Ensure compliance with client billing guidelines, outside counsel guidelines, and e‑billing requirements (including LEDES formats).
- Monitor billing accuracy, resolve discrepancies, and address billing rejections and appeals.
Systems & Process Management
- Serve as the primary expert for the firm’s billing system (Elite or Aderant), including configuration, troubleshooting, and optimization.
- Partner with IT and Finance to support system upgrades, enhancements, and integrations with e‑billing platforms and financial systems.
- Develop and maintain billing policies, procedures, and internal controls to support accuracy, efficiency, and audit readiness.
- Identify opportunities to streamline billing workflows and improve cycle times and realization rates.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of billing professionals, including workload management, performance feedback, and training.
- Establish clear expectations and service standards for internal clients (attorneys, legal assistants, practice management).
- Foster a collaborative, service‑oriented billing culture focused on accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
Attorney & Client Partnership
- Act as a trusted advisor to attorneys and practice leaders on billing matters, including prebills, billing strategies, and client requirements.
- Collaborate with attorneys to resolve billing issues proactively and maintain strong client relationships.
- Support client onboarding by reviewing billing guidelines and ensuring accurate setup in the Firm’s billing system.
Reporting & Financial Support
- Prepare and analyze billing reports, KPIs, and dashboards related to billing volume, cycle time, realization, and aging.
- Support month‑end and year‑end close processes as they relate to billing and revenue.
- Provide insights and recommendations to finance leadership to improve billing performance and revenue outcomes.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 5 years of billing management experience in a law firm environment.
- Hands‑on experience with Elite or Aderant billing systems.
- Strong knowledge of law firm billing practices, e‑billing platforms, and client billing guidelines.
- Proven people‑management experience with the ability to lead and develop high‑performing teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting a mid‑size or large law firm (200 attorneys).
- Familiarity with alternative fee arrangements and complex client billing structures.
- Experience partnering with practice group leadership and senior attorneys.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and billing analytics/reporting tools.
Key Competencies
- Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Strong communication and relationship‑management skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Problem‑solving mindset with a focus on process improvement.
- High level of professionalism and discretion.