Client Account Specialist

Arnold & Porter; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Arnold & Porter is seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented Client Account Specialist to join our Finance & Accounting team. You will manage the full client billing and collections lifecycle for a portfolio of complex client accounts while partnering closely with attorneys, clients, and colleagues to deliver exceptional service.

The role offers a hybrid schedule across our Washington, DC area offices or remote options in firm-approved states.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Prior law firm billing experience required.
• Experience working with financial management systems and electronic billing platforms.
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills with the ability to analyze complex financial data.
• Strong business acumen, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, client service, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to identifying solutions.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment.
• Flexibility to work additional hours as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full billing and collections process for an assigned portfolio, from client engagement through payment collection.
• Build trusted relationships with attorneys, clients, and business professionals to ensure timely, accurate billing and compliance with client requirements.
• Handle complex billing arrangements, including client-level billing and collection activities.
• Prepare, review, and finalize prebills and invoices, ensuring adherence to client billing guidelines and outside counsel requirements.
• Submit and monitor electronic invoices, troubleshoot submission issues, and collaborate with eBilling Coordinators to ensure successful processing and payment.
• Partner with Rate Analysts to verify rates and implement billing guidelines, fee caps, discounts, matter budgets, and related alerts.
• Monitor collections, unapplied cash, trust balances, and payment activity while working with attorneys and clients to resolve outstanding issues.
• Analyze billing and collection trends, prepare forecasts and reports, and provide recommendations to improve realization and financial performance.
• Respond to inquiries regarding accruals, audits, payment status, and other financial matters.
• Train, mentor, and provide guidance to billing team members while supporting cross-training and knowledge sharing across the department.

Skills

Excel & reporting

Client service

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional teamwork

Billing & collections

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

eBilling platforms

Accounting software

Job description

Arnold & Porter is seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented Client Account Specialist to join our Finance & Accounting team. In this role, you will manage the full client billing and collections lifecycle for a portfolio of complex client accounts while partnering closely with attorneys, clients, and colleagues to deliver exceptional service.

The Client Account Specialist may work a hybrid work schedule in our Chicago, Denver, Houston, or Washington, DC office or may work 100% virtual/remote in a firm-approved U.S. state as part of the “Gideon” office.

This position is ideal for an experienced law firm billing professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex billing challenges, and is committed to delivering outstanding client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full billing and collections process for an assigned portfolio, from client engagement through payment collection.


• Build trusted relationships with attorneys, clients, and business professionals to ensure timely, accurate billing and compliance with client requirements.


• Handle complex billing arrangements, including client-level billing and collection activities.


• Prepare, review, and finalize prebills and invoices, ensuring adherence to client billing guidelines and outside counsel requirements.


• Submit and monitor electronic invoices, troubleshoot submission issues, and collaborate with eBilling Coordinators to ensure successful processing and payment.


• Partner with Rate Analysts to verify rates and implement billing guidelines, fee caps, discounts, matter budgets, and related alerts.


• Monitor collections, unapplied cash, trust balances, and payment activity while working with attorneys and clients to resolve outstanding issues.


• Analyze billing and collection trends, prepare forecasts and reports, and provide recommendations to improve realization and financial performance.


• Respond to inquiries regarding accruals, audits, payment status, and other financial matters.


• Train, mentor, and provide guidance to billing team members while supporting cross-training and knowledge sharing across the department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.


• Prior law firm billing experience required.


• Experience working with financial management systems and electronic billing platforms.


• Advanced Excel and reporting skills with the ability to analyze complex financial data.


• Strong business acumen, organizational skills, and attention to detail.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.


• Excellent communication, client service, and relationship-building skills.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to identifying solutions.


• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.


• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment.


• Flexibility to work additional hours as business needs require.

Why Join Arnold & Porter?

At Arnold & Porter, you'll join a collaborative team that values excellence, innovation, and exceptional client service. You'll have the opportunity to work with talented professionals, contribute to sophisticated client matters, and continue developing your expertise in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $60,000 to $98,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

As a nonexempt position, this position is eligible for overtime.

The firm may provide a discretionary bonus annually.