Accruals Associate Manager in Chicago, Illinois at Sidley Austin LLP

The Accruals Associate Manager is part of the Revenue Management team and is responsible for overseeing the Firms accrual reporting function, including the development, standardization, and continuous improvement of accrual processes. This role leads a team of analysts responsible for delivering accurate and timely accrual reports to clients, which are critical for monitoring legal spend and maintaining strong client relationships. The Accruals Associate Manager also manages the transition of accrual reporting responsibilities to the newly created Accruals team, ensuring operational continuity, process consistency, and successful knowledge transfer. This role partners with billing, Firm Partners, and other key stakeholders to ensure compliance with client agreements, mitigate financial risk, and support accurate financial forecasting. This position requires strong leadership, analytical expertise, change management skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of accruals analysts, including workload management, training, and performance oversight.

• Oversee the preparation, review, and delivery of accrual reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness across all client deliverables.

• Establish, standardize, and continuously improve accrual reporting processes to enhance efficiency and identify opportunities to improve client communications and reporting transparency.

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex accrual issues, partnering with attorneys, billing teams, and clients to resolve discrepancies.

• Ensure compliance with client agreements and outside counsel guidelines related to accrual reporting.

• Monitor accrual trends, identify potential risk areas, and proactively communicate insights and recommendations to leadership.

• Coordinate and prioritize multiple reporting requests across clients, ensuring alignment with deadlines and resource capacity.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support accurate financial forecasting and improve overall revenue cycle performance.

• Drive data integrity by implementing controls and validation procedures within accrual reporting processes.

• Support system enhancements, reporting tools, and technology initiatives related to accrual management.

• Provide excellent customer service to attorneys, clients, and internal stakeholders.

• Perform other duties as assigned or as judgment or necessity dictates.

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or a related field

• Minimum of 5 years of experience with financial and/or operational analysis

• Minimum of 2 years in a leadership, team lead, or senior-level capacity

• Experience in defining processes, conducting root cause analysis, and delivering process improvements

• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with other Microsoft Office products (e.g. PowerPoint, OneNote, Access)

Preferred:

• Experience with financial and/or operational data analysis

• Previous experience working in a law firm or other professional services firm

• Experience with Elite 3E

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills

• Strong attention to detail

• Good judgment

• Strong interpersonal communication skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others

• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion

• Able to work under pressure

• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

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The target salary range for this role is:

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email sidleytalentacquisition@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.