Client Accounting Manager

The Lede Company seeks a Client Accounting Manager to own the full client billing cycle for our entertainment clients and brand partners. This person will manage invoicing, billbacks, collections, and project accounting against approved purchase orders and client advances.

The Client Accounting Manager will be the point person for accounting questions from account teams and clients. They will work closely with account teams to make sure every engagement is billed accurately, on time, and in line with GAAP. They will also set up and track quality metrics and keep improving how we bill and collect.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Client and team relationships

• Act as the main accounting contact for account leads and their teams, meeting with them once or twice a month to review billing, open items, and upcoming projects

• Work directly with clients and their business managers on invoices, statements, credits, and account questions

• Handle client tax paperwork such as W-9s and 1099s

• Give clients and colleagues excellent service

Client billing and invoice management

• Own client billing from start to finish: retainers, project fees, pass-through costs, and processing fees

• Prepare, review, and issue client invoices accurately and on schedule

• Manage billbacks: gather expense backup, code reimbursable costs (travel, events, talent, and vendor costs) to the right client and project, and bill them back with support

• Review and approve new client profiles, invoice setup, and account updates

• Lead client billing onboarding, including client portal registrations and vendor/supplier forms

• Approve billing batches and other work done at all levels of the team

Client account reconciliation and billing accuracy

• Own the reconciliation of client accounts, ensuring invoices, payments, credits, advances, and reimbursable expenses are accurately recorded and allocated

• Identify and resolve unbilled expenses, missing fees, incorrect allocations, and historical account discrepancies

• Reconcile client and project-level billing activity to accounting records and supporting documentation

• Partner with internal account teams to investigate discrepancies and ensure all billable activity is captured and invoiced

• Establish regular reconciliation procedures and controls to prevent recurring billing issues

Project accounting: POs and prepaid advances

• Set up and track client projects against approved purchase orders, and monitor billed versus remaining PO balances

• Flag overages and scope changes to account teams before billing goes past what the PO approves

• Account for client advances and deposits: record deferred revenue, draw down balances as work is delivered, and reconcile advance balances monthly

• Prepare project-level reports on budget, billed, collected, and remaining balances for account leads

Collections and accounts receivable

• Own collections for the client portfolio, and set collection strategies that reduce past-due balances and improve DSO

• Monitor AR aging, follow up with clients, business managers, and brand partners, and escalate high-risk accounts

• Manage the team's cash application, making sure payments and bank deposits are posted accurately and on time (for example, deposits applied within 3 business days)

• Reconcile cash and bank accounts to AR, and review the team's cash reconciliations

• Resolve billing disputes, short payments, and unapplied cash

• Review and approve write-offs, credit memos, and payment adjustments within policy limits

Reporting and analysis

• Prepare and present AR reports to management, including aging, cash forecast, and collection trends

• Track key metrics such as DSO and bad debt, and find areas to improve

• Provide schedules and analysis for month-end and year-end close

• Support internal and external audits with documentation and supporting schedules

Processes and controls

• Document current billing, collections, and project accounting processes, and follow best practices

• Review, update, and enforce AR and credit policies, and own the key controls for billing and AR

• Lead process improvements and automation across the team and our systems, and give status updates to leadership

• Support system administration in our accounting and ERP platforms as needed

• Handle sensitive client and financial information with discretion

People and collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and develop the AR and billing team

• Assign and prioritize work, run regular performance reviews, and coach team members

• Be the main escalation point for complex billing disputes, collection issues, and account exceptions

• Meet regularly with the GL, finance, and AP teams

• Handle ad-hoc projects and special requests as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field required

• 8+ years of accounting experience, including client billing, AR, or revenue accounting

• 2+ years in a supervisory or team lead role

• Experience in entertainment, PR, media, or another agency setting preferred

• Hands-on experience with project accounting, including billing against POs and accounting for client advances, client deposits, and deferred revenue

• Proven results in collections, dispute resolution, and AR reporting

• Experience handling client billbacks, markups, and billing discrepancies quickly

• Familiarity with client billing portals and vendor/supplier registration

• Good working knowledge of accounting principles, especially revenue recognition and balance sheet reconciliations

• Experience with accounting systems (ERP, billing, and AP tools)

• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, data analysis)

• Experience implementing new software, including supporting a team through onboarding and process change, a plus

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IS

• A hands-on problem solver who does well in a fast-paced agency environment

• Detail-oriented, with the ability to handle a high volume of transactions accurately

• Able to manage competing priorities, both independently and as part of a team

• An excellent written and verbal communicator, comfortable working with clients, business managers, and senior leaders

• Someone who shows sound judgment and discretion with confidential information

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Direct reports: 3 Accounts Receivable Associates

• In-office expectation: Hybrid, 4 days a week in our Los Angeles office

The Lede Company is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

ABOUT THE LEDE COMPANY

The Lede Company is a full-service strategy, communications and social impact consulting firm, specializing in corporate, entertainment, brand and nonprofit sectors. With dedicated Talent, Music, Strategic Communications, Brand, Content and Social Impact divisions, we work with our clients to advance business and social outcomes through innovative storytelling, media, campaigns and partnerships. Our service offerings draw on our expertise, relationships, and resources, all of which enable us to exceed client expectations and ultimately, deliver results.