Cash Applications Representative/AR

This position is responsible for performing both cash applications and AR activities for an assigned portfolio of accounts in conjunction with established policies and procedures and processing incoming customer payments, ensuring timely application to appropriate accounts.

Responsibilities include independent credit hold decisions, settlement negotiation, account maintenance, and dispute resolution. This role requires strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and effective communication to resolve discrepancies and maintain positive customer relationships.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Payment Processing: Accurately apply customer payments (checks, ACH, wire transfers, credit cards) to accounts in the financial system.
• Reconciliation: Regularly reconcile customer accounts, addressing unapplied cash, short payments, and discrepancies.
• Discrepancy Resolution: Investigate and resolve payment discrepancies by collaborating with customers and internal teams.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline cash application processes and implement best practices.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to company policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.  

• Perform credit and collection activity for a designated portfolio of accounts with backup responsibility for team member accounts; this includes collection contact, negotiation, escalation, and dispute investigation/resolution.
• Collaborate with Sales Reps, Regional Sales Managers, and other impacting parties regarding credit hold situations, payment delays, and customer dispute resolutions.  
• Analysis of customer history (payment and management) and market conditions to determine credit holds and credit limit recommendations.
• Identify and report high risk accounts and recommend escalation to third party agencies. Provide critical input to insure accurate Allowance for Doubtful Account reserves. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: 

• -Comprehensive knowledge of the order to cash process in a manufacturing environment
• Cash application experience
• Minimum of 3 years experience in credit and collections
• Experience must include negotiation, credit limit management, and dispute resolution.
• ERP navigation skills
• Intermediate Excel skills and proficient in other business systems (Word, Outlook, etc.)
• High school degree or equivalent

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• -Strong initiative
• -Good judgment and decision-making skills
• -Results driven
• -Detail oriented, customer focused, and able to multi-task
• -Effective professional, verbal, and written skills
• -Analytical, problem-solving and organization skills
• -Proficient working in a team setting

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• -Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred in business, finance, or related field