Junior Accounts Receivable Accountant

The Junior Accounts Receivable (AR) Accountant plays an important role in maintaining accurate customer accounts and supporting the day-to-day operations of the accounts receivable function. Reporting to the Senior Accounting Manager, this position focuses on managing customer account activity, applying payments, and resolving discrepancies to ensure the accuracy and integrity of AR records.
This role manages a portfolio of customer accounts, including major retail and distribution partners. The AR Accountant works closely with internal teams and external customers to research issues, resolve deductions, and ensure account activity is recorded accurately.
This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career accounting professional who enjoys working with data, solving problems, and taking ownership of customer accounts. The role provides hands-on experience with financial systems, customer account management, and cross-functional collaboration within the publishing industry.  The ideal candidate enjoys working with numbers and investigating account activity to understand what is happening behind the data. They are naturally curious, detail-oriented, and persistent when researching payment discrepancies or resolving account issues.
This is an exempt, salaried position with a range of $53,000 - $60,000. We determine starting pay based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate’s qualifications.    
This is a hybrid role at our office in Naperville, Illinois requiring the ability to work onsite at least 1 day per week or more as needed.

• Manage a portfolio of customer accounts, including major retail and distribution partners, ensuring accurate tracking of invoices, payments, deductions, and account activity
• Monitor account balances and follow up on outstanding or unresolved items
• Maintain accurate documentation of account activity and communications
• Collaborate with Sales, Customer Experience, and Operations teams to ensure customer accounts are properly established and maintained

• Process and apply customer payments including checks, ACH transfers, wire transfers, and credit card transactions
• Review remittance documentation and ensure payments are accurately applied to open invoices
• Apply payments across multiple systems when necessary to ensure accurate account records
• Research and resolve unapplied cash, short payments, and other payment discrepancies

• Respond to internal and external inquiries related to invoices, payments, and customer account balances
• Provide invoice copies, payment confirmations, and account updates as requested
• Investigate deductions, chargebacks, and payment discrepancies
• Partner with internal teams to resolve account issues and prevent recurring discrepancies

• Maintain organized documentation supporting all accounts receivable transactions
• Assist with internal and external audit requests by gathering documentation and explaining account activity
• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and internal control procedures

• Work cross-functionally with Finance, Sales, Customer Experience, and Operations teams to support accurate billing and payment processes
• Participate in initiatives aimed at improving AR workflows, efficiency, and data accuracy
• Share knowledge of AR processes and provide informal guidance to team members when appropriate

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to review account activity, identify discrepancies, and support resolution of payment issues
• Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy when processing transactions and reviewing account activity
• Ownership & Reliability: Takes responsibility for assigned accounts and follows issues through to resolution
• Problem-Solving Mindset: Approaches discrepancies with curiosity and persistence to identify root causes
• Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally with internal teams and external customers
• Systems Fluency: Comfortable working within ERP systems and Excel to manage financial data
• Collaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional teams to support accurate billing and customer account management

• Required:  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• Entry-level candidates encouraged to apply; internship or relevant accounting experience is a plus
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP Business One or SAP HANA a plus)
• Familiarity with Microsoft Teams and Outlook
• Strong communication and collaboration skills are also important, as this role works closely with both internal teams and external customers.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment