Client Account Specialist

Cleary Gottlieb is a pioneer in globalizing the legal profession. We have fourteen offices in major financial centers around the world, but we operate as a single, integrated global partnership and not a U.S. firm with a network of overseas locations. The firm employs approximately 1,100 lawyers from more than fifty countries.

Since 1946, our lawyers and staff have worked across practices, industries, jurisdictions, and continents to provide clients with simple, actionable approaches to their most complex legal and business challenges, whether domestic or international. We support every client relationship with intellectual agility, commercial acumen, and a human touch.

This is a great opportunity for a billing and collections professional looking to build real ownership of a portfolio and grow their technical and client-facing skills. Reporting to the Client Account Manager, the Client Account Specialist takes day-to-day ownership of the billing and collection strategy for their assigned partners or office/practice groups, working in close partnership with those partners and in conjunction with firm best practices and client requirements.

This position will (i) collaborate closely with partners and practice groups along with other Finance teams, including Client Reporting and Revenue Operations,(ii) ensure timeliness and accuracy of bills as well as securing prompt payment, (iii) ensure compliance with client outside counsel guidelines, rates in-line with client agreements before billing, and other client considerations, and (iv) respond effectively and accurately to partner and client requests.

This role offers direct partner exposure, hands-on ownership of a meaningful portfolio, and a clear growth path toward more senior client account positions.

• Own and drive the billing and collection process to ensure accurate and timely invoicing and payment of clients for assigned partners, practice groups, and/or offices.
• Monitor assigned partners' monthly aging AR reports and take appropriate action to ensure each invoice is paid on time and in full; direct teams to follow-up on underpayments and help with resolution, as needed.
• Update key finance reports (e.g., projection amounts, clear and concise billing or AR comments) daily, to ensure timely and high-quality reporting for Senior Management.
• Develop a strong understanding of more complex billing processes and help ensure a timely and accurate billing and collections process.
• Proactively follow up with assigned partners and elevate any billing or collection issues or delays to the Client Account Manager.
• Respond to billing and AR inquiries; prepare accurate bills, including narrative descriptions, transfers and on account applications, with strong attention to detail and proofreading.
• Act as a trusted advisor to your assigned partners by interpreting and influencing their approach through meticulous review of their SOE, and by understanding the billing arrangement and billing frequency of each matter and client.
• Obtain and review Engagement Letters and Outside Counsel Guidelines to support compliance with client requirements in timekeeper diaries and costs.
• Collaborate with internal clients and other finance teams, such as Pricing Operations and ebilling, to ensure accurate client invoices, submission requirements, and reporting.
• Prepare for, coordinate, and lead regular UBT/AR meetings with your assigned partners regularly (e.g., at least once a month), serving as their primary point of contact on billing and collections strategy.
• Monitor bill processing status and perform necessary follow up.
• Ensure successful submission of E-Billing thru Billblast or directly through the client’s third-party E-Billing vendor.
• Collaborate with the Client Account and Revenue Operations teams to develop efficiencies in the billing process.
• Validate and test functionality and reports during billing system and report upgrades.
• Support the Client Account Managers and Advisors with all aspects of the team’s day-to-day operations, in accordance with Firm Policies and procedures.
• Take part in ad hoc client analysis projects as requested and manage a portfolio of complex matters; special projects, as assigned.
• Clearly document areas of responsibility for partner requirements, including key client requirements (billing, collecting, fee arrangements) to enable more streamlined collaboration, clarity, and coverage across the team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business…