Senior Billing Coordinator

DLA Piper LLP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper LLP is seeking a Senior Billing Coordinator to join the London IPT Billing Team. The role supports Partners and Fee Earners with end-to-end billing, ensuring invoices are raised accurately and issues resolved swiftly.

You will liaise between DLA Piper and clients, maintain billing quality, and assist in ad-hoc tasks and reporting. You will have 2+ years of billing experience, strong VAT knowledge, and be adept at using SAP S/4HANA, Concur, Service Now, and MS Office.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of accounting or billing experience, preferably in a professional services or legal environment.
• Strong diligence and accuracy in handling client data, calculations, and invoice amendments.
• Analytical mindset with experience running billing reports and data analysis.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and manage multiple responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• WIP management and billing fulfilment, including draft and approve invoices and client submissions.
• Manage complex bill reconciliations, disbursements, and write-offs with Partners' approvals.
• Coordinate with GSC or other offices for e-bills and multi-payer matters.
• Provide support for ad-hoc reporting, client reporting, and escalation handling.
• Assist Team Leader and Billing Manager with day-to-day operations and training of junior staff.

Skills

Billing coordination

Accounting experience

VAT knowledge

Communication skills

Teamwork

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Concur

ServiceNow

MS Office Suite

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Billing Coordinator to join the London IPT Billing Team.

The role of the Senior Billing Coordinator will be to support Partners and Fee Earners with delivery of billing activities. As part of our global Finance team, the Senior Billing Coordinator owns the critical element of the service-to-cash process and one which is essential for the business in hitting revenue and cash targets.

As a Senior Billing Coordinator, you will engage with Fee Earners at every level, as well as acting as the bridge between DLA Piper and the client when required to ensure invoices are raised and issues with invoices are speedily resolved. You will manage all quality control aspects of the end-to-end billing process, matching Partner and client expectations to our own internal policies which allow us to manage risk. The role will work closely with our Legal Administration stakeholders who are in a critical, client facing and Partner support position.

As a senior, you may be expected to deputise for the Team Leader in their absence and to play an active role in supporting the billing Coordinators with escalations and expertise on complex bills whilst recognising and supporting their learning requirements. You will also assist management in undertaking ad hoc tasks/reporting as required.

Main duties and responsibilities

WIP management and billing covering two main areas:

Delivery of billing fulfilment:

• Proactive calculation of proposed billing amounts and necessary edits/ write-offs for Partner approval
• Draft and facilitate approval of invoices and submit to clients/ Partners
• Manage complex bill reconciliations and calculations (including supplier bills, splitting bills, discounts, disbursement allocation etc)
• Manage advance bills end-to-end procedure and ensure smooth client to office transfers
• Manage and be a primary point of contact for all billing-related enquiries, client queries, credit notes (end-to-end), and
• Coordinate with the GSC team or other DLA Piper offices for e-bills, multi-payer matters and ad-hoc activities
• Assist the Team Leader, Billing Manager and Head of Finance with ad-hoc tasks
• Collaborate with Legal Administration teams to provide cohesive support to Partners and their clients; ad-hoc tasks, client reporting, etc
• Initiate matter master data management updates and charge-out rates changes
• Maintain client protocols and billing instructions to support the billing process and to assist colleagues during holiday periods

WIP monitoring, maintenance, and control:

• Facilitate WIP review, draft bill aging and draft bill review sessions with Partners
• Facilitate and process WIP write offs where irrecoverable (control approval matrix) as required and agreed with the Partner, following the approval matrix
• Ensure WIP comments against matters are recorded promptly
• Ensure WIP is being recorded/billed in accordance with client protocols
• Produce ad-hoc reports and analysis on specific clients to identify lock up issues and to provide Partners with sufficient information to collaborate with their clients to reduce WIP days

Management and supporting team development:

• Assist Billing Coordinators with VAT and Solicitors' Accounts Rules queries. Senior Billing Coordinators will be expected to have a more advanced knowledge of VAT and local regulations (training will be provided where necessary)
• Assisting with the day-to-day personnel management of the team members where necessary when the Team leader is absent

You are also expected to support onday-to-day Service to Cash activities:

• Reviewing matter set up reports and validation of matter set up details according to newly defined processes / checklist (‘Quality Gate’)
• Consulting with Legal Administration / Partners to capture missing matter information
• Qualitative reporting on the accuracy of information captured at matter set up with Billing Managers
• Flag any suspicious activity by clients (subject to local regulations) through the necessary channels
• Support with the development of new team members as required
• Ensure compliance with firm's standards and guidelines (billing policies for multipayors, IOB, etc)
• Collaborate with Collectors on credit collection activities on an ad-hoc basis
• Ensure compliance with DLA Piper’s Credit policy through accurate and prompt delivery of bills and credit notes

About you

• Strong diligence and accuracy in handling client data, calculations, and invoice amendments
• Demonstrate commitment to firm guidelines when faced with internal or external pressures
• Analytical mindset and experience in running billing reports, analysing data, and taking appropriate actions
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with multiple DLA Piper stakeholders
• Problem-solving abilities and experience in addressing billing and VAT queries promptly and effectively
• Teamwork and collaboration skills, with experience collaborating closely with colleagues across different departments
• Initiative-taking mindset and experience in seeking opportunities for process improvements and applying them to enhance efficiency
• Adaptability to changes in processes, systems, and work requirements, with prior experience in adapting to such changes
• Previous experience in coordinating and managing team members will be an advantage
• Ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities
• Knowledge of financial systems and software used for billing and invoicing is a plus, such as SAP S/4HANA, Concur, Service Now, E-Billing platforms and MS Ee Suite
• 2+ years of accounting or billing experience, preferably in a professional services or legal environment
• Good knowledge of local VAT standards and guidelines preferred (Training will be provided) Prior experience in ensuring accuracy and compliance in billing activities

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long-term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like-minded people is important to us. Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.