Senior Cash Applications Analyst

Location: Dallas or Los Angeles
Schedule: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
FLSA: Exempt
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States Europe Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Senior Cash Applications Analyst in the Finance department reporting to the Cash Applications Manager.

The role can reside in the Dallas or Los Angeles office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for ensuringtimely and accurate application of client payments to the Firms accounts while supporting the development and implementation of standardized departmental procedures and workflows. Core responsibilities include handling complex reconciliations generating reports investigating unapplied and unidentified payments and providing backup support to the Manager Analyst and Specialists. The Senior Analyst will also collaborate with other Firm departments to resolve cash application issues and help drive efficiency within a high-volume environment.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Perform daily cash application tasks ensuring timely and accurate processing of payments from multiple sources (ACH checks wires credit cards).
• Assist in the development and implementation of standardized procedures and workflows for the department.
• Investigate unapplied unallocated and overpayment items; identify unknown thirdparty payors.
• Reconcile VersaPay and Aderant discrepancies including reconciling bank deposits to sub-ledger and to General Ledger.
• Collaborate with other departments (Billing Revenue Accounts Receivable) to resolve complex cash application issues misapplied payments and customer disputes.
• Train and onboard new Cash Applications Specialists; serve as resources for junior staff.
• Provide backup support for the Cash Applications Manager Analyst and Specialist during absences.
• Identify root causes for recurring unapplied cash short payments or negative AR balances; recommend and drive corrective actions.
• Perform month-end quarter-end and year-end close support including reconciliations and ensuring that cash application status is up to date for reporting.
• Assist with audit requests maintain documentation needed for internal and external audits; ensure compliance with internal controls and policies.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects to make the cash application process more efficient including automating manual steps and improving exceptions handling.
• Work with IT / Financial Systems teams to implement new software/tools or enhancements to existing systems to support cash application work.
• Assist in cross-training across related functions to ensure coverage and knowledge sharing.
• Support special projects assigned by the Cash Applications Manager.
• Monitor industry best practices regulatory changes that may impact cash application operations and ensure the department remains compliant and up to date.

Qualifications (Experience Knowledge Skills & Abilities):

• Bachelors degree in accounting finance or a related field a plus but not required.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in cash applications accounts receivable or a related accounting role.
• Minimum of 2 years of prior experience working in a law firm or professional services firm.
• Bachelors degree in accounting finance or a related field a plus but not required.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in cash applications accounts receivable or a related accounting role.
• Minimum of 2 years of prior experience working in a law firm or professional services firm.
• Advanced knowledge of end-to-end cash application workflows including handling of multiple payment types (wires ACH checks credit cards) lockbox processing automatic vs manual application and remittance advice matching in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Proficiency in reconciling sub-ledgers to the General Ledger and identifying/closing gaps.
• Knowledge of accounting principles internal controls and SOX / compliance requirements where applicable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas pivot tables VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP or equivalents) for data analysis and reporting.
• Familiarity with cash applications / billing software (e.g. VersaPay) and/or other ERP or AR systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to spot trends identify root causes and propose solutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to explain discrepancies interact with internal teams and escalate appropriately.
• Attention to detail and accuracy particularly in high-volume repetitive tasks.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing deadlines (daily monthly period-end).
• Strong customer service orientation (internal & external) especially when dealing with clients or stakeholders to resolve payment issues.
• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively; initiative to improve processes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and client information.
• Familiarity with relevant banking rules remittance formats third-party payment vendors and possibly foreign currency or international payments (if applicable).

The anticipated base salary range for this position in California is $85000 to $110000.The actual salary offered will be based on several factors including but not limited to relevant education qualifications years of relevant experience certifications or other professional licenses held job-related knowledge and skills business needs and the location from which the work will be performed. Additionally salary or hourly wages may be only part of the total compensation package which may also include a full range of health and other insurance benefits financial and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility) a discretionary bonus and various paid time off benefits. Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP participates in E-Verify for purposes of verifying employment eligibility

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