Billing Manager – London & Brussels

Job Summary

Summary:

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

The firm is now looking for a talented Billing Manager to join the London Finance team. The Billing Manager will report to the Senior Billing Manager, Global Services and have an indirect collaborative report to the London/Brussels Finance Manager, to deliver a seamless service.

This role reports to the Head of Finance, EMEA.

Responsibilities include:

 

• Day to day supervision of the London based billers providing training and performance oversight. Oversee the allocation of partners and manage lateral/promoted partner uptake and billing staff absences to ensure the London and Brussels office billing obligations are met. Ensure accurate and timely production of invoices for London and Brussels and ensure alignment with client billing guidelines. Ensure compliance with VAT laws, SRA Accounts Rules and Firm financial controls.
• ​Monitor office Work in Progress. Drive process improvements and automation initiatives to streamline billing operations. Provide ad hoc WIP/billing/collections reports and analysis to partners and management on request.
• Produce, edit and issue pre-bills, bills and credit notes for a small group of senior partners with specialised and complex billing needs at the beginning of each month and upon request. Meet with the partners where necessary and deal with all related issues and queries. Prepare back-up documentation in line with client requirements where necessary.
• Oversee the London and Brussels mailboxes to ensure the billing team are dealing with and responding promptly to incoming e-mails and that an appropriate audit trail is kept of both incoming e-mails and department responses.
• Work with the London Finance Manager to achieve month end billing cut-off to suit local e-invoicing and VAT requirements. Prepare and audit the London monthly and quarterly bill reports and ensure these are consistent with e-invoicing records, ONS reporting and quarterly VAT Returns. Take ownership for any differences and follow up and correct any billing errors internally using the Firm approved procedure.
• Supervise the London billers involvement in requesting approval for special rates and billing discounts, ensuring appropriate approval is obtained. Check billing write-offs are adequately made for VAT purposes and reported to the London Finance Manager quarterly.
• Liaise with the Pricing Team on client-related rates and pricing issues and work with the Client Intake and Compliance teams to ensure all KYC/CDD is complete and up to date.
• Take responsibility for hiring, discipline and bi-yearly evaluation of London based billing staff. Work with the London Finance Manager to identify when new billing resources are required, prepare Firm approved job descriptions and interview suitable candidates. Liaise with local and international HR & direct management to ensure all placements are formally approved. Prepare training schedules for new billing positions and carry out a share of the induction work alongside the LA billing team.
• Participate in EMEA billing training, including the year-end push project. Liaise and meet with Finance Managers and other staff in the EMEA offices as work dictates. Oversee the work carried out on tax related billing matters (e.g. applications for tax residency certificates) and liaise with the tax team as required.
• Be an active participant in the e-billing project teams for both offices. Work with team members to implement e-invoicing solutions and act as a point of contact for vendor providers (e.g. Edicom). Assist Firm management with the implementation of Aderant upgrades in relation to the billing tool and other software changes.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, based on department needs as required and other duties, as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

 

• Advanced working knowledge of CMS Aderant is essential
• Strong knowledge of European billing standards, VAT and SRA Accounts Rules
• Familiarity with international billing practices (EMEA or global operations)
• Experience leading or contributing to system implementation or upgrades
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Professional 2016 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong man-management skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Detail-oriented in all tasks, including excellent proof-reading and research skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to develop strong internal and external relationships, including ability to work effectively with people at all levels
• Strong customer service ethic
• Ability to multitask and prioritize responsibilities
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.

 

Experience:

 

• At least ten years’ professional experience in a similar finance position.
• Law firm billing experience to a high level is a necessity.

 

 

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

 

Location:

London