Duration: Permanent
Location: Dublin
Reports to: UK Revenue Manager
Type of Role: Office Based
Reference no: 6579
The Role
Working with a small team in Dublin, this role provides support to the Dublin partners in the control and management of Work In Progress (WIP) and Cash Collection, including regular communication with Partners, fee earners and clients. The Working Capital Controller will also liaise closely with the billing team in Warsaw ensuring all invoices are raised as per Partner instructions in a timely manner.
Responsibilities
Work In Progress (WIP) Control
- Conduct regular meetings with Partners to ascertain when transactions will complete, the levels of fees expected, and the anticipated bill date and client billing requirements - taking any action required to facilitate the billing process. Updating a central billing forecast that is reviewed by management in Dublin and the UK.
- Prepare profitability reports to review and discuss with partners if levels of profitability are low.
- Establish positive working relationships with partners, fee-earners, secretaries and the wider finance team.
- Monitor and reduce aged WIP, in line with the lock up day budget.
- Action requests from Partners for information - e.g. reporting on fee levels to specific clients over a period of time.
- Ensure all possible steps are taken to assist the Dublin office in achieving their monthly and annual billing targets.
Billing
- Liaise closely with the billing team in Warsaw ensuring that all details correspond with Partners' and client instructions.
- Assist the front office users with the billing workflow including training new users.
- Liaise with Partners and the Revenue Control Manager with regard to special billing arrangements.
- Where required, prepare detailed schedules of hours recorded or outside counsel, disbursements for reporting or to submit with bills.
- Monitor clients who require e-billing. Ensure correct procedures are followed so that invoices are accepted via e-billing.
Credit Control
- Proactive collection of aged debts by telephone and email aiming for a minimum of 10 calls per day.
- Be proactive in booking and attending monthly meetings with all partners, agreeing strategies to collect aged and or difficult debts and ensure all queries are resolved appropriately.
- Building relationships with partners and fee earners to ensure collection policy is adhered to.
- Sending out monthly statements to clients via email.
- Completing supplier forms from clients.
- Following up with partners to confirm invoices have been sent out in a timely manner.
- Work with the ebilling team to ensure invoices are submitted in a timely manner and be aware of any client billing requirements.
- Maintaining detailed and accurate notes regarding debtors on ARCS accounts system.
Exposure and Lock Up
- Continual review and monitoring of clients with high exposure and highlight potential issues to management.
- Keep lock up for Dublin and the individual partners to a minimum.
- Work with individual partners with high lock up to pinpoint where they need to focus to reduce lock up figures and assist them in achieving this.
General
- Monitor missing time and liaise with the Time Recording Process Controller to keep missing time to a minimum.
- Review partner credits on files in UKIME and the offices outside of the region to ensure they are set up correctly.
- Meet with the UK Revenue Manager to discuss the current position and anticipated progress within the office, as and when required.
- Provide general assistance to the UK Revenue Manager with ad hoc project work, as and when required.
- Review working capital policies and procedures and look to implement efficiencies.
- Comply with the firm's policies and any other legal obligations, and effectively evaluate risks to the firm where those risks relate to this role.
Required experience, skills, and attributes
Technical Skills
- Confident using MS Office, including Word and Excel.
- Knowledge of the Elite or 3E accounts system, and of e-billing systems, would be a valuable trait.
- Basic knowledge of Solicitors' Accounts Rules, and VAT.
Personal attributes
- Good knowledge and understanding of Work in Progress management, obtained through work experience in a similar environment. Experience of working in a law firm (or similar) is not essential for this role.
- Possesses the competence to deal effectively with Partners, and to discuss their files.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Able to prioritise various tasks particularly when working in a time-sensitive setting and to tight deadlines.
- Able to interact positively at all levels.
- Methodical approach to work with a clear focus on accuracy.
- Hardworking and enthusiastic approach to work; professional in outlook, attitude and appearance.
Flexible and prepared to work additional hours at month, quarter and year ends Personal skills / attributes.
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Firm Profile
Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com
Inclusion and Diversity
We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate. You can find out more about inclusion and diversity at Dentons here: Inclusion and Diversity.
Equal Opportunities
Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours.
During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.
If you have any questions about this or the role criteria, please email [email protected].
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email [email protected]. Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email.
Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.