Stan Graham, CPA, Juris Senior Consultant, LexisNexis:
What does it mean to become a Billing Timekeeper? What is a Billing Timekeeper? How do I or did I become a Billing Timekeeper?
While not all law firms use the name Billing Timekeeper, it is a name that Juris and most Juris users use to describe the attorney that is responsible for a Matter and responsible for reviewing the client’s Bill or Invoice. Some firms call them Responsible Timekeepers.
But often, additional responsibility comes with being a Billing Timekeeper that attorneys need to be aware of that isn’t always readily apparent or for which little or no training or guidance is provided by others at the firm. The most common responsibilities often include:
Regular attention to each of these responsibilities provides that basis for good client management, good accounting records, and accurate reporting that can be used to manage the firm. Many attorneys don’t think in terms of “running a business” as part of their role as an attorney at a firm. But as one progresses to the Billing or Responsible Timekeeper level as part of the natural evolution of their career, they become exactly that . . . they are participating in running a business. And having a checklist of responsibilities can be a welcome tool to make it as painless and efficient as possible and lead to the long-term success of you and your firm.