Senior Collector

Clifford Chance; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 88,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Clifford Chance US LLP seeks a full-time Senior Collector to join the Finance team in Houston or Washington, DC. The role focuses on collecting the Firm’s Accounts Receivable portfolio with strong customer service, decision making, relationship building, and advisory communication with lawyers and business professionals.

You will work with Partners, Billing Coordinators and clients to resolve at-risk balances, run AR reports, document activity in the Firm’s systems, and support month-end close

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting or finance preferred.
• 3+ years of collections experience in a law firm environment.
• Proven track record delivering superior client service at all levels.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to competing demands.
• Strategic, analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with initiative to resolve issues.
• Proficient with Excel to analyze and organize data.
• Strong MS Office and Adobe Acrobat skills; quick to learn new tools.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, team environment with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to comply with Agile Working Policy; office attendance at least three days a week.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and resolve monthly reconciliation reports for partners and follow up on invoices.
• Run AR reports and document collection efforts in firm systems.
• Engage with billing attorneys to discuss AR reports and actions.
• Identify and escalate at-risk client balances to ensure resolution.
• Correspond with clients daily via email/phone, provide invoices and account details.
• Communicate with management and attorneys to address delays in payments.
• Document collection activity and client contact information in the system.
• Assist AR with cash receipts reconciliation and unidentified payments.
• Prepare, update and format client spreadsheets and reports.
• Track invoices scheduled to roll into auto-provision for management review.
• Prepare and process write-off forms per guidelines.
• Maintain e-billing invoices and monitor open balances across portals.
• Distribute collection letters and statements with accuracy.
• Support month-end cash targets and forecasts with timely communication.
• Perform other tasks assigned by the Collections Manager.

Skills

Collections experience

Customer service

Excel

MS Office

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Accounting or Finance

Tools

Access

FIS Global

Fulcrum Finance

GPMS

Job description

As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive, where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow.

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.

Job Description

The role

Clifford Chance US LLP is seeking a full-time Senior Collector to join the Finance team. This role will have critical responsibilities related to the collection of the Firm’s Accounts Receivable portfolio. The scope of the role requires strong skills in customer service, decision making, relationship building, and communication. This individual will have a high degree of face-to-face interaction with lawyers and other business professionals and will be expected to work in an advisory capacity. This role will be located in either our Washington DC or Houston, TX office and will report to the Collections Manager.

Key responsibilities

• Analyze and resolve monthly account reconciliation reports for assigned partners and actively follow up on all outstanding invoices per Firm policy.
• Run monthly accounts receivable reports in GPMS and document all collection efforts using the Firm's Collection software i.e., Access, FIS Global-which will be replaced by Fulcrom Finance going forward.
• Proactively engage with billing attorneys monthly to discuss their accounts receivable reports, determine the best course of action for collection follow-up and update assigned Partners and Supervisor on all collection activity.
• Identify and oversee the collection of client account balances that may be “at risk.” Work with Partners, Clients, Management, Collections Manager, and other team members to ensure those receivables are resolved and/or escalated in a timely manner.
• Correspond with clients daily by email or phone regarding payment, providing copies of invoices, spreadsheets, and account information as needed.
• Routinely communicate with Management, Collections Manager, Billing Coordinators, and attorneys to understand issues that may result in delays in payment or poor realization of Firm receivables.
• Document collection efforts and any e-billing payment notifications received and keep a record of client contact information using the Firm's Collection software.
• Work with Accounts Receivable department to resolve unapplied cash, making daily collection calls to clients, to get the proper allocation instructions.
• Assist with cash receipts reconciliation for unidentified payments and pulling back-up files.
• Prepare, update and format spreadsheets for clients and generate various reports.
• Document the status of invoices scheduled to roll into auto-provision each month on a weekly basis for distribution to upper management.
• Prepare and execute write-off forms according to authorization guidelines.
• Track, log and maintain e-billing invoices using various portals to identify any open balances for processing fees, disputes, or adjustments taken by the client.
• Prepare and distribute collection letters and statements of account with strong attention to detail.
• Facilitate accuracy during calendar and fiscal year-end cash targets/forecasts by communicating with the Collections Manager about issues that will impact collection of inventories before month-end close.
• All other assignments and projects assigned by the Collections Manager.

Qualifications

Your experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, Accounting or Finance preferred.
• 3+ years of related Collections experience in a law firm environment required.
• Proven track record of providing superior client service while building a strong rapport at all levels of an organization with both internal and external clients.
• Ability to work under pressure and demonstrate flexibility with competing demands of internal and external clients.
• Must be a strategic, analytical thinker with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be detailed oriented with the ability to readily identify issues that could impede processes while taking the initiative to provide solutions.
• Must have strong experience with Excel to analyze and organize data efficiently.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in MS Office, Adobe Acrobat with the strong ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and applications.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, team environment with minimal supervision.
• Must comply with the Firm's Agile Working Policy, which requires employees to work from the office at least three days per week.
• Must be independently authorized to work in the United States.

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $88,000 - $100,000. The actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Additional Information

At Clifford Chance, we forge an inclusive culture, where all perspectives are recognised and valued. It’s a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and succeed, irrespective of background. We are guided by our values-based Code, which sets high standards of conduct and has a principle focused on being inclusive.

We are an equal opportunity employer and provide consideration to all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We comply with the law and regulations in every location where we operate and across all aspects of employment, from recruitment and selection to development, progression, and day-to-day working life.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here