Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.
Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.
As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.
At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.
We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.
All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition
The Opportunity
Key Responsibilities
Working within the Revenue Department under the direction of the Client Financial Liaison Manager, your contribution will ensure that our revenue processes and working capital profile are optimised at all times. The department is responsible for the conversion of work-in-progress to cash. The role will be primarily operational and will include the following responsibilities:
Developing a thorough understanding of clients' billing and collection processes to ensure that invoices are produced, submitted, and collected appropriately for both the Firm and the client, facilitating payment with minimal queries and delays
Ensuring invoices are issued correctly and in a timely manner (within agreed Service Level Agreements) and followed up promptly, escalating any issues immediately
Maintaining direct contact with clients regarding unpaid invoices via telephone and email, keeping accurate records on internal systems (Nexum/Expert)
Engaging clients professionally to chase overdue debt
Collaborating with Revenue Controllers and partners to follow up on large and/or problematic client accounts, including overdue balances
Building and maintaining key client relationships to facilitate smoother debt collection
Identifying debt issues and escalating them promptly to relevant stakeholders
Alerting management and Revenue Heads of Practice (RHOPs) on debt exposure
Consulting with partners and associates regarding queried debts and unpaid invoices
Managing internal and external queries relating to invoices and the working capital profile
Allocating cash, CHAPS, and BACS payments in consultation with the Banking team, eBilling, and fee-earners to ensure correct and prompt allocation
Monitoring external client portals to oversee the bill-to-payment process
Utilizing the Nexum workflow system to ensure timely cash collection
Identifying prompt-paying clients to maximize cash flow
Understanding the lock-up impact and working proactively to reduce it
Running and analyzing debt reports, producing accurate and timely reporting as required
Providing commentary on key debts on a weekly basis
Producing and distributing monthly debtor reports for the London office (and other offices upon request)
Providing breakdowns and reports to internal and external clients as requested (with CRP/Bill Partner approval)
Demonstrating strong knowledge of key working capital exposures and issues, inspiring confidence in stakeholders
Liaising closely with the London Revenue Managers and the Client Financial Liaison Manager to ensure a shared understanding of current financial performance and to provide a consolidated service from the Revenue Department
Developing productive relationships with partners to support effective debt management
Collaborating with key stakeholders to facilitate the resolution of complex queries forwarded to the Revenue Section
Attending quarterly Group Review meetings to discuss debt provisions
Applying recommendations on debt that requires a provision or write-off
Managing Withholding Tax Compliance, including certification
Consulting with tax specialists to gather necessary client information, such as tax residency certificates, or to confirm tax advice
Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the roles performed by all members of the Revenue Department
Liaising with the Revenue Projects Manager to ensure that operational risk is understood and that appropriate training is provided within the department
Performing ad hoc tasks relating to the reporting and presenting of WIP, billing, and debtor information; identifying and helping to resolve exposures, issues, and bottlenecks in the smooth conversion of working capital into cash
Key Performance Indicators
Promotes a collegiate environment, good team morale and a spirit of co-operation
Inspire learning and create a progressive environment through leadership
Ability to display professional credibility
Ability to use initiative and be pro-active with a hands-on approach; with a positive approach to ensuring the demands of the department are met
Be able to provide past examples of strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise; as well as a constant approach to meeting deadlines and delivering projects on time, within scope and without compromise
Ability to cope with conflicting demands and meet deadlines
Project communication skills and examples of where tasks have been communicated in a clear and well documented way, keeping key stakeholders always informed
Attention to detail with a high level of accuracy
Excellent inter firm and external firm communication skills
Develops and motivates team members through leading by example
Proven examples of delegation and where it has enhanced the service provided by the team
Able to work in an ever-challenging environment
Enjoys working in a fast moving and changing environment
An ability to remain focussed and good spirited when working in a challenging and often high-pressured environment
Create a fun yet professional working environment for the team and all stakeholders
Qualifications, skills and experience
Experience within the legal billing/credit control/revenue profession or equivalent.
Knowledge of SARs
Experience with Aderant Expert would be preferable although training will be provided.
Competent IT skills, good working knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook
Competencies
Connects and Collaborates with People
Takes an active interest in others and gets to know the people they interact with
Treats people with respect and in a fair and consistent way
Adopts a positive communication style, even when challenged by others
Contributes to the Success of Others
Maintains an awareness of the firm’s purpose, objectives and structure
Recognises how their work contributes to and affects the work of others, and prioritises and communicates accordingly
Identifies opportunities to assist others and readily volunteers their help
Enhances the Client Experience
Achieves Results
Goes above and beyond to contribute to the success of the firm
Pays attention to the quality and accuracy of their work
Suggests new ideas or ways of doing things in a confident, constructive and sensitive way
Team
Business Finance
Full time
Location
London
Contract type
Permanent Contract
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.
