Accounts Receivable and Collections Manager

Job Summary

The Accounts Receivable and Collections Manager is responsible for leading the Company’s Accounts Receivable function and overseeing the end-to-end order-to-cash process. This position is responsible for developing and enforcing Accounts Receivable policies and procedures, optimizing billing and collections processes, improving cash flow through effective receivables management, minimizing delinquent accounts and bad debt, and ensuring compliance with company policies and financial controls.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Leads the Accounts Receivable team, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, coaching, and development of staff.
• Provides support to leadership and partners with cross-functional teams to improve cash management processes, customer satisfaction, and data integrity.
• Maintains quality assurance methodologies within the billing and invoicing process.
• Develops process improvement initiatives to enhance collections performance and reduce delinquent accounts.
• Interacts with customers and cross-functional teams to plan, develop, and implement order-to-cash programs and corrective actions as needed to meet customer requirements.
• Guides the Sales team on key financial requirements and supports the financial components of project billing.
• Completes monthly reconciliations of the Accounts Receivable subledger and identifies and resolves all reconciling items.
• Assesses the financial viability of new and existing customers for credit term and credit limit reviews.
• Develops, implements, and maintains a formal credit policy, including approval thresholds and escalation procedures for credit limit decisions.
• Supports the Sales team with weekly credit hold reports and related data to inform decisions regarding delinquent accounts.
• Ensures month-end deadlines for cash application and Accounts Receivable subledger reporting are met.
• Analyzes departmental workflows and identifies opportunities for process optimization and operational improvement.
• Ensures accurate recording, application, and reconciliation of customer payments.
• Collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders to identify and implement productivity improvements that enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Works with senior management to monitor aging reports and support collection efforts as needed.
• Manages collection efforts for delinquent and escalated accounts, including negotiating payment terms and resolving customer disputes, short-pays, and deductions.
• Collaborates with senior management in the preparation of monthly and quarterly financial reports as needed.
• Manages the allowance for doubtful accounts, including calculating bad debt reserves and recommending and approving account write-offs in accordance with company policy.
• Collaborates with in-house counsel and third-party collection agencies on litigation, judgments, customer bankruptcies, and related collection matters, including filing proofs of claim when required.
• Coordinates with Sales & Use Tax to ensure accurate invoicing.
• Develops and reports key Accounts Receivable performance metrics, including DSO, past due percentages, collection effectiveness, and cash collection forecasts to support treasury and financial planning.
• Supports internal and external audit activities related to Accounts Receivable, cash application, and revenue recognition, including preparation of audit schedules, reconciliations, and control testing documentation.
• Prepares reports and supporting documentation for external auditors.

Skills

• Strategic planning and establishing priorities for the order-to-cash process.
• Thorough understanding of Accounts Receivable, billing, collections, credit management, and process improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills with the ability to effectively resolve customer disputes and balance the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs and implement effective solutions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, with the ability to analyze data and develop financial and operational reports.
• Working knowledge of credit, collections, financial controls, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Education

• Required: Associates degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• PREFERRED: Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Accounts Receivable and Collections, including at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• PREFERRED: Previous experience with credit reporting and third-party agencies for delinquent accounts.
• PREFERRED: Previous experience supporting internal or external audits related to Accounts Receivable.
• PREFERRED: Experience working in a multi-entity, manufacturing, or industrial environment.
• PREFERRED: Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and Accounts Receivable applications, such as NetSuite, SL8, Billtrust, BlackLine, or similar platforms.