Collections Manager - law firm

Trustpoint; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

FSA/HSA

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Trustpoint is seeking a Collections Manager to lead accounts receivable and credit risk assessment for a leading law firm. The role requires handling collections, client communications, and collaboration with legal and finance teams to optimize cash flow.

The ideal candidate has 5–8 years in collections or AR, including 4+ years in a law firm or professional services environment, with strong Excel skills and experience with legal billing systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field is required.
• 5–8 years in collections or accounts receivable; 4+ years in a law firm or professional services environment is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience conducting credit evaluations and making credit-term recommendations.
• Strong working knowledge of legal billing and financial systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required.
• Experience using collections technology and AI-powered collections software is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage collection activity for outstanding client accounts and document communications, commitments, and next steps.
• Review AR aging and prioritize collection efforts based on balance, age, and risk.
• Communicate with clients regarding past-due balances and payment arrangements.
• Partner with attorneys and billing professionals to address sensitive or aged receivables.
• Monitor payment commitments and escalate as needed.
• Research discrepancies and coordinate with billing/finance to resolve issues.
• Recommend payment plans, write-offs, reserves, or other actions when appropriate.
• Prepare regular reporting on aged receivables and collection activity.
• Analyze collection trends to identify issues and cash flow opportunities.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Discretion and integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Collections software

D&B or similar platforms

Job description

Trustpoint is proud to partner with a leading law firm in its search for a Collections Manager. This direct hire opportunity is ideal for an experienced collections professional with law firm or professional services experience who can manage accounts receivable, assess client credit risk, and work effectively with attorneys, finance teams, and clients.

Responsibilities: Collections and Accounts Receivable

• Manage collection activity for outstanding client accounts and maintain accurate documentation of communications, commitments, and next steps
• Review accounts receivable aging and prioritize collection efforts based on balance, age, payment history, and financial risk
• Communicate directly with clients regarding past-due balances, payment status, and payment arrangements
• Partner with attorneys and billing professionals to address sensitive, disputed, or significantly aged receivables
• Monitor payment commitments and appropriately escalated missed or unresolved obligations
• Research account discrepancies and coordinate with billing and finance teams to resolve issues affecting payment
• Recommend payment plans, write-offs, reserves, or other collection actions when appropriate

Credit and Client Risk Assessment

• Evaluate prospective clients and matters for credit viability using available financial, commercial, and payment information
• Recommend whether to extend standard payment terms or require an advance, replenishing, evergreen, or other approved retainer arrangement
• Identify elevated financial risk and communicate practical recommendations to finance leadership and responsible attorneys
• Maintain consistent documentation supporting credit and retainer recommendations
• Monitor existing clients for changes in payment behavior or financial risk and recommend adjustments to credit terms or retainer requirements

Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare regular reporting on aged receivables, collection activity, payment arrangements, and high-risk accounts
• Analyze collection and payment trends to identify recurring issues and opportunities to improve cash flow
• Maintain accurate collection records and account notes within the firm’s financial systems
• Support collection forecasting, write-off analysis, and other accounts receivable reporting

Process Improvement and Collaboration

• Develop and maintain consistent collection procedures, communication templates, escalation practices, and credit evaluation standards
• Collaborate with attorneys, billing professionals, client intake personnel, and finance leadership on collection and credit matters
• Recommend process improvements that strengthen financial controls, reduce aged receivables, and identify credit concerns earlier
• Handle confidential client and financial information with discretion and sound judgment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5–8 years of experience in collections or accounts receivable, including 4+ years in a law firm or professional services environment
• Demonstrated experience conducting credit evaluations and making credit-term recommendations
• Strong working knowledge of legal billing and financial systems
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Experience using collections technology, AI-powered collections software, D&B, or similar platforms
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to conduct firm but professional conversations with clients and attorneys at all levels
• Strong negotiation, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to independently manage a high-volume portfolio
• High degree of discretion and integrity when handling confidential client and financial information
• All candidates must be able to work at a computer screen for a sustained amount of time

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a law firm or comparable mid-size professional services firm
• Familiarity with attorney professional responsibility considerations related to fee collection, client confidentiality, advance fees, client trust funds, fee disputes, and fee arbitration
• Working knowledge of applicable debt collection laws, including state laws applicable to original creditors
• Credit or collections certification, such as NACM Credit Business Associate (CBA) or Certified Credit and Risk Analyst (CCRA)
• Experience with electronic billing platforms and outside counsel guidelines for corporate and insurance clients

Benefits

• Voluntary medical, dental, and vision plans
• FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits
• Firm-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Retirement savings plan
• Flexible paid time off
• Benefits available to employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week
• Compensation is expected to be 90k-120k, commensurate with experience

Trustpoint.One provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, training, transfer, leave of absence, and termination.