Accounts Receivable Lead

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily accounts receivable activities to ensure work is completed accurately and on schedule.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of customer invoices, credit memos, and debit memos.
• Monitor customer account balances, aging reports, and account activity for accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain accurate customer account records and support customer master data updates.
• Review and resolve billing discrepancies, customer deductions, short-pays, and account disputes.
• Generate and review sales commission reports to ensure accurate commission payments.
• Manage collection efforts to minimize past-due balances and improve Accounts Receivable past due.
• Contact customers regarding overdue balances, payment status, and payment commitments.
• Maintain professional customer relationships while ensuring collection expectations are met.
• Escalate high-risk accounts and recommend appropriate actions, including credit holds or write-off review.
• Cook up with Sales, Customer Service, and Finance to resolve payment delays, pricing issues, returns, shortages, freight claims, and other disputes.
• Oversee daily cash application activities and ensure timely posting of customer payments.
• Investigate and resolve unapplied cash, payment discrepancies, and remittance issues.
• Reconcile accounts receivable subledger activity to the general ledger as required.
• Absorb customer account reconciliations and support documentation requests.
• Deliver ongoing guidance and training to Accounts Receivable support personnel.
• Balance workload distribution, prioritize AR activities, and assist with issue escalation.
• Establish, update, and maintain standard operating procedures for AR processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, controls, reporting, and automation.
• Support ERP enhancements, customer portal requirements, and process improvement initiatives.
• Prepare AR reports, aging analyses, and other ad-hoc reports as may be required.
• Aid with period-end and year-end closing activities.
• Support external audit requests by providing accurate documentation and explanations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Afford bad debt reserve analysis.
• Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality, ensuring consistent leadership presence, team support, and timely completion of critical AR activities.
• Maintain accurate and timely cash application to ensure customer accounts are current and reconciled.
• Reduce past-due receivables by effectively managing collection activities and follow-up efforts.
• Ensure accuracy of AR aging reports and account reconciliations to support sound financial reporting.
• Collaborate effectively with Sales, Customer Service, and Finance to address payment issues and strengthen customer relationships while achieving collection goals.

  Qualifications

  • Associate’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required – bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • 3 years of progressive accounts receivable experience – with manufacturing experience preferred.
  • Experience with ERP systems, electronic payment platforms, customer portals, and Microsoft Excel required.
  • Strong understanding of accounts receivable, collections, cash application, credit practices, and customer account management.
  • Working knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, account reconciliations, and month-end close activities.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and ability to analyze aging, deductions, payment trends, and collection metrics.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and follow-through skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to professionally resolve customer issues.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
  • Customer-focused approach with sound judgment, professionalism, and attention to detail.