Collections Specialist

Who We Are

At Benesch we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and building trust not only with our clients but with our employees - Benesch's #1 asset. Committed to providing not only the highest level of legal service to our clients, Benesch also aspires to create a positive work environment for our employees. Our Firm continues to earn placement on Chicago and Cleveland's Top Workplaces list, along with Cleveland's NorthCoast 99 Top Workplaces rankings. We also continue to advance on the AmLaw 150 list, placing us among the top 150 law firms in the country.

Benesch is proud to be recognized for being a Firm that attracts and retains top talent - making Benesch a great place to work. We offer a hybrid schedule, career development and growth, transparent and visible leadership teams, and a place where diversity, equity and inclusion is celebrated. In addition, the Firm offers a full array of benefits which can be viewed at www.mybeneschbenefits.com.

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We are one of the fastest growing firms in the nation, and have offices in Chicago, Columbus, San Francisco, New York City, and Wilmington. We continue to expand our geographic footprint and value the talent that comprises each of our locations. If you are someone who champions a First in Service approach and are ready to be part of an exciting and growing Firm, we would invite you to apply to join our team.

Want to know more? To hear from some of our team, click here: https://www.beneschlaw.com/careers/index.html

Benesch is proud to announce the opening for a Collections Specialist in our Chicago office! This position is hybrid and has work from home flexibility.

Position Summary:

Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your relationship building skills and financial acumen can make a tangible difference? Then you may be interested in this Collections Specialist position. This role is perfect for a natural problem solver with a background in accounting, finance or business administration who is detail-oriented and is driven to achieve results. Join Benesch and play a pivotal role in shaping the financial success of our organization.

The Collections Specialist plays a key role in managing the collection of outstanding account receivables from our clients in a timely manner. This position partners closely with attorneys and internal departments to improve aging performance, reduce write-offs, and support overall cash flow objectives. The successful candidate will manage an assigned portfolio of accounts, analyze receivable trends, and take proactive steps to address stalled or high-risk balances while maintaining strong client and attorney relationships.

Essential Functions:

• Develop partnerships with the Firm's attorneys to increase the collection effort of their clients. Review their receivable portfolio status, conduct routine aging reviews, and recommend appropriate collection strategies to drive measurable improvement in outstanding balances. Conduct meetings, as needed, to review aging, establish timelines, and reinforce accountability.
• Establish working relationships with assigned clients to review outstanding balances and resolve issues impacting payment. Provide requested documentation (i.e., copies of invoices, statements, ledger balances, etc.) to expedite payment and ensure accounts remain in current receivable condition. When appropriate, negotiate payment arrangements in coordination with the Collections Manager and responsible attorney.
• Document and record collection activity and status using the firm's collection system. Schedule follow-ups with clients and attorneys; run daily receivable reports and generate account statements as requested.
• Investigate and analyze client payment history, billing trends, and portfolio aging to determine the next level of follow-up and identify accounts at risk for escalation or write-off. Proactively recommend recovery strategies when appropriate.
• Partner with the Accounting Department to assist with the cash application process and review payments received and posted to client accounts to ensure accuracy and timely reconciliation.
• Identify receivables that may be uncollectible and review with the Collections Manager for potential write-offs. Prepare supporting documentation and analysis of collection efforts when required.
• Notify the Collections Manager and attorney of any invoice/balance being disputed by client and coordinate resolution.
• Collaborate with billing staff to ensure accuracy and timely transmittal of invoices. Research e-billing statuses to facilitate resolution of issues and ensure timeliness of approval and payment. Partner with the Billing Department to coordinate resolution.
• Responsible for reviewing and preparing analytical receivable reports, including aging movement and portfolio performance summaries, to support informed collection strategies.

Additional Responsibilities

• Generate reports and assist the Director of Billing and Collection Services and the Collections Manager with special tasks as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Confidentiality

Due to the nature of your employment, various documents, and information, which are confidential nature, will come into your possession. Such documents and information must be kept confidential at all times.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate must have three to five years of experience in collections, finance, accounting, or a similar discipline. An associate or bachelor's degree is preferred but not mandatory; equivalent professional experience or active progress toward a degree will be considered. Prior law firm collections experience is strongly preferred. Candidates must possess strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and proven success managing accounts receivable portfolios. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is required; Aderant software experience is a plus. Must be flexible to work overtime as needed.

The salary range for this position is $54K to $66K.

Please note that quoted salary ranges are based on Benesch's good faith belief at the time of the job posting and are not a guarantee of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that Benesch provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full-time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benesch is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Benesch Human Resources Department by phone at 216-363-4578 or email Christine Watson at cwatson@beneschlaw.com.