They also need to know when clients received bills and whether the client has questioned the bill. No one wants to call the client asking for money only to find out the bill was paid yesterday or worse the client called to complain about the bill. Keep the communication channels open between accounting and billing attorneys, and stay current. Schedule regular collection meetings with billing attorneys. Many firms have billing attorneys meet monthly with department heads to discuss billings, progress of work and, of course, collections.
Attorneys live by deadlines.
More calls are made to clients the day before that meeting than at any other time during the month. For the timid, telling your clients you have to report on the status of their receivables can be an easy way out. If you are doing a great job, your clients won't want you to look bad. In fact, just knowing that their receivable will be discussed is enough to make some clients pay. Make your client understand that your profession is a business.