Client Financial Liaison Controller

The Opportunity

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop 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.
• Ensure invoices are issued correctly and in a timely manner (within agreed Service Level Agreements) and followed up promptly, escalating any issues immediately.
• Maintain direct contact with clients regarding unpaid invoices via telephone and email, keeping accurate records on internal systems (Nexum/Expert).
• Engage clients professionally to chase overdue debt.
• Collaborate with Revenue Controllers and partners to follow up on large and/or problematic client accounts, including overdue balances.
• Build and maintain key client relationships to facilitate smoother debt collection.
• Identify debt issues and escalate them promptly to relevant stakeholders.
• Alert management and Revenue Heads of Practice (RHOPs) on debt exposure.
• Consult with partners and associates regarding queried debts and unpaid invoices.
• Manage internal and external queries relating to invoices and the working capital profile.
• Allocate cash, CHAPS, and BACS payments in consultation with the banking team, eBilling, and fee‑earners to ensure correct and prompt allocation.
• Monitor external client portals to oversee the bill‑to‑payment process.
• Utilise the Nexum workflow system to ensure timely cash collection.
• Identify prompt‑paying clients to maximise cash flow.
• Understand the lock‑up impact and work proactively to reduce it.
• Run and analyse debt reports, producing accurate and timely reporting as required.
• Provide commentary on key debts on a weekly basis.
• Produce and distribute monthly debtor reports for the London office (and other offices upon request).
• Provide breakdowns and reports to internal and external clients as requested (with CRP/Bill Partner approval).
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of key working capital exposures and issues, inspiring confidence in stakeholders.
• Liaise closely with 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.
• Develop productive relationships with partners to support effective debt management.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to facilitate the resolution of complex queries forwarded to the Revenue Section.
• Attend quarterly Group Review meetings to discuss debt provisions.
• Apply recommendations on debt that requires a provision or write‑off.
• Manage Withholding Tax Compliance, including certification.
• Consult with tax specialists to gather necessary client information, such as tax residency certificates, or to confirm tax advice.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the roles performed by all members of the Revenue Department.
• Liaise with the Revenue Projects Manager to ensure that operational risk is understood and that appropriate training is provided within the department.
• Perform ad‑hoc tasks relating to the reporting and presenting of WIP, billing, and debtor information; identify and help 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; inspires learning and creates a progressive environment through leadership.
• Demonstrates professional credibility, initiative and a proactive, positive approach to meeting departmental demands.
• Prioritises tasks and meets deadlines, maintaining a high level of accuracy and detail.
• Communicates clearly and documents information effectively, keeping stakeholders informed.
• Motivates and develops team members through example, delegates effectively, and remains focused and good‑spirited in a high‑pressure environment.

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; finds ways to enhance the experience of the firm’s clients through daily tasks, shows a willingness to go the extra mile to deliver great service.
• 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

Working Pattern: Full time. Location: London. Contract type: Permanent.

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. The firm invests in your personal and professional growth and supports you to achieve your ambitions.