WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 12 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Our lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology and business, and we remain committed to our guiding principles of providing quality, excellent legal and client services; developing diversity among our lawyers and staff and cultivating an environment that promotes an ambitious spirit, collaboration and collegiality by drawing on the extraordinary talents and dynamic experience of our lawyers. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice.

What You Will Be Doing

In this role, you will be responsible for all activities necessary to process uploads for cost recovery charges and hard cost entries directly into the 3E (primary financial system) and Chrome River. You will serve as a back-up to the payment process and assist with various General Ledger responsibilities and governmental reporting requirements.  In this position you will ensure compliance with the firm’s payment policies, and record transactions timely and accurately.

About This Role

• Performs all the functions necessary to process cost recovery disbursements and pay vendors according to firm policy and accounts payable procedures. Applies appropriate accounting principles and uses proper internal controls procedures and good judgement to ensure the following:

• check requests are authorized and within the approved limits

• costs are validated and charged to the correct accounts

• costs charged to incorrect Client Matter are reclassed to appropriate accounts

• department filing is maintained in a timely manner

• review and approve via Chrome River all staff and fee earner expenses including related VAT aspects

• various cost recovery systems data is uploaded into firm’s primary financial system

• precost data into Firm’s primary financial system is uploaded and AP vouchers created

• costs inventory is kept and uploaded into firm’s primary financial system using spreadsheets

• necessary data is booked in time for the month-end and year-end closes

• postage vouchers processed

• responses are handled promptly

• information is kept confidential

• Perform all functions necessary to serve as a back-up to the payment process:

• validate and submit vendor electronic payment file for approval (bi-weekly)

• validate and submit employee reimbursement payment file for approval (weekly)

• seek approval for emergency check payments

• verify payment transmittal against the check register

Assist with General Ledger responsibilities and governmental reporting:

• various balance sheet reconciliations

• mandatory governmental surveys

• assisting the General Accounting Manager with financial statement footnote preparation

• Various journal entries

• Recording of London bank fees

• Uses good judgment when dealing with exceptions to the firm’s payment policy and informs Accounts Payable Manager of gray areas in the policy.

• Maintains accounts payable files in a timely and organized manner.

• Reviews the accounts payable procedures and policy manual to ensure compliance with company policy.

• Keeps abreast of the duties of the other members of the Accounts Payable department to remain a functional backup.

• Identifies problems and proposes solutions.

• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

• Contributes to the Firm's Service Matters initiative to consistently improve its image internally and externally.  Displays professionalism, quality service and a "can do" attitude to internal members/departments of the Firm as well as external clients and vendors via electronic and print correspondence, over the telephone and in-person.

Required Skills

Your Qualifications/What You Will Be Doing

• Ability to learn and apply firm accounts payable policies, procedures, and systems.
• Ability to use firm accounting systems, spreadsheet, and database software effectively.
• Accurate record keeping.
• Ability to key at 80 net keystrokes per minute
• Ability to use 10-key adding machine by touch with speed and accuracy.
• Good oral communication skills to effectively communicate with others both inside and outside the firm.
• Good business math skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.

Education:

• Associates degree preferred.  Coursework in bookkeeping or accounting desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

• 1-3 years experience with an automated accounting system in a high-activity and demanding environment, law firm preferred.

Upon joining the firm new hires will go through our onboarding program and be paired with a staff mentor to help them acclimate to the firm. Additionally, there will be opportunities for new employees to take advantage of training and development, public service, and diversity and inclusion programs. 

WilmerHale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability or veteran status, or other protected status.

Required Experience

Your Qualifications/What You Will Be Doing

• Ability to learn and apply firm accounts payable policies, procedures, and systems.
• Ability to use firm accounting systems, spreadsheet, and database software effectively.
• Accurate record keeping.
• Ability to key at 80 net keystrokes per minute
• Ability to use 10-key adding machine by touch with speed and accuracy.
• Good oral communication skills to effectively communicate with others both inside and outside the firm.
• Good business math skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.

Education:

• Associates degree preferred.  Coursework in bookkeeping or accounting desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

• 1-3 years experience with an automated accounting system in a high-activity and demanding environment, law firm preferred.

Upon joining the firm new hires will go through our onboarding program and be paired with a staff mentor to help them acclimate to the firm. Additionally, there will be opportunities for new employees to take advantage of training and development, public service, and diversity and inclusion programs. 

WilmerHale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability or veteran status, or other protected status.