Billing & Collection Manager

The Finance team is aligned with the Firm's strategy and has the vision to be one global team connected within a robust control environment, collaborating to deliver value for clients and colleagues across the Firm.

We consider three end-to-end business cycles in the One Finance Team: Order to Cash (O2C), Record to Report (R2R), and Procure to Pay (P2P) which are supported by the specialist teams across Tax, Treasury, Partner Remuneration, Controls, Governance, and Systems.

We are looking for a Billing and Collection Manager within the O2C business cycle in the Paris office.

The specific purpose of this role is to participate proactively in billing and debt collection and enable efficient ways in managing working capital. The role also involves providing timely and accurate billing information to the Order to Cash Manager to assist with billing and collection forecasts and the resolution of key issues. Therefore, the ability to understand the importance of billing and collection targets and their achievement in relation to the financial management of a large professional services firm is essential.

Key Responsibilities
- New Matters Check:_

Ensure existing client rates agreement and agreed eBilling configuration are applied.

Ensure there is an engagement letter and compliance to Firm expectation.
- Monthly WIP/Debtors reviews with Partners:_

Review meetings and follow up - challenge Partners to accelerate billing and collection with a reminder of their individual billing and collection targets. Offer support should they need help to action billing/collection.

Discuss and challenge WIP and Debtors balances in order to achieve accurate WIP/Debtors valuation.

Promote working capital management tools such as Dashboards and MBR (Matter Balance Report).

Initiate and give support in analysis of matter profitability.

Follow-up of billing and collection commitments and chase.
- Billing:_

Issue bills in accordance with the Firm's billing policy and clients' billing guidelines.

Ebilling: manage eBilling workflow, run adhoc reports to anticipate eBilling issues, help solve eBilling issues.

Amend, authorise and print bills.
- Collection:_

Follow up on overdue invoices when automatic reminders are unsuccessful.

Provide early warning to Partners on any matter financial variance to profitability targets and work closely with Order to Cash Manager and Commercial Pricing Specialist to reduce gaps.

Provide timely and accurate feedback to the Order to Cash Manager, escalation of issues/problems/concerns.

Deliver a collaborative and pro-active approach in working with the Partners and O2C team throughout the billing and collections process.

Through liaison with billing and collection communities, implement and ensure the continuous improvement of working practices and controls, with a focus on optimisation and safeguarding of efficient processes.

Maintain and update systems in a timely manner.

Various ad hoc queries and problem solving.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications
- Skills_

You will have a pro-active approach and be able to influence billing activities in order to achieve billing targets.

You will be able to demonstrate excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, with an aptitude to understand new concepts and processes quickly. You will also be required to delegate tasks throughout the billing team structure, with a view to developing and enhancing billing efficiencies.

You will be able to demonstrate a very high level of attention to detail.

You will need a flexible working approach and the confidence to communicate, both written and verbally, with people at all levels, in both French and English.
- Experience_

You will be able to demonstrate substantial experience of working within a billing team, ideally within a Professional Service firm environment.
- Knowledge_

You will be able to demonstrate technical knowledge and expertise of a global professional services practice management system, together with a sound knowledge of Excel and Word.
- Qualifications_

You will have a Master Degree or equivalent, in Accounting and Finance, or Business Degree.

About the Firm

Whatever your area of expertise, you will find a range of career opportunities at Clifford Chance. And wherever you’re heading, Clifford Chance is where you can be true to your ambitions.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures and languages. In a world where commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career.

We're proud of our approachable, friendly and team-based way of working. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, our people are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge.

To find out more about what it is like to work in Clifford Chance in Paris, please visit the link.

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