Legal Staff Accounting/Finance in Kansas City, MO

Law Firm

Kansas City, MO

Legal Staff Accounting/Finance in Kansas City, MO

Legal Staff

5-7 yrs required

No

Job Title:
Accounting Master Files Specialist

Job Responsibilities:
- Analyze and complete new business intake forms for the core financial accounting system.
- Understand all facets of a law firm, including billing, e-billing, conflicts, collections, matter budgeting, and accounts payable, to effectively set up clients/matters and ensure compliance.
- Review all required information to complete new client and new matter requests for accounting.
- Maintain the integrity of Master File data in the core accounting system, including client/matter descriptions, billing addresses, fee arrangements, billing rates, matter budgets, area of law, eBilling setups, and personnel file updates.
- Monitor and complete all Client and Matter intake, maintenance, and closing requests from Intapp Open new business intake workflow and personnel file workflows.
- Update data elements in the core accounting system that aren't fully addressed with workflow integration.
- Collaborate and communicate with the Conflicts/New Business Intake team to ensure clients and matters are accurately and efficiently opened in the accounting system.
- Collaborate and communicate with the Payroll and HRIS teams to ensure personnel are accurately and efficiently established and maintained in the accounting system.
- Review engagement agreements, outside counsel guidelines, billing guidelines, and other legal documents to ensure accurate data is entered into the core accounting system and related ancillary applications.
- Communicate with Client Accounting and Pricing/Planning teams to ensure agreed-upon fee arrangements, matter budgets, and other pricing details are correctly represented in the core accounting system.
- Support the Billing and Collections team through the client and matter life cycle maintenance by answering questions and providing guidance.
- Monitor Master File update requests for reasonableness and adherence to accounting protocol; analyze existing client and matter setups to ensure data is accurately held for all downstream accounting processes.
- Coordinate with the Financial Systems team on all new hires, status changes, and terminations to ensure Timekeeper, FTE, and Work Calendar data in the core accounting system is accurate.
- Know when to escalate issues or concerns to the Accounting management team.
- Participate in projects to upgrade or extend the use of financial accounting systems and workflow functionality for risk avoidance and data collection.
- Provide clear communication, prompt response, and excellent service toward attorneys and professional staff.
- Collaborate and communicate between department team members, accounting & finance group departments, and other corporate/law firm departments.

Education and Experience Information:
- Bachelor's degree (B. A.) or equivalent from a four-year college or university preferred.
- Minimum of five years' work experience within the accounting or conflicts function of a service sector organization, including at least two years of law firm accounting experience preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.
- Proficiency in Excel and knowledge of Elite or other law firm Accounting systems is preferred.
- Analysis and reporting skills are preferred.
- Familiarity with Elite, Intapp Open, or other new business intake software is a plus.
- Attention to detail and accuracy, with openness to constant change.
- Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks, address tasks in a logical sequence, and minimize errors while maintaining quick turnaround times.
- Ability to communicate with and provide good customer service to all levels of an organization.
- Familiarity with elements of new business intake in a law firm, such as engagement letters, allocation of credit, and types of billing arrangements and methods.

Salary Information:
The expected salary range for this position may vary based upon several factors, including but not limited to, relevant skills/experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, area of expertise, and geographic/office location.

Benefits Statement:
Law firm provides a competitive salary and comprehensive salary and benefits package for professional staff, which includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement plan with a generous contribution plan, and paid time off.