Accounting Clerk & Collections
hace 5 días
Akron
Company Overview Regency is a third-generation, family-owned office furniture manufacturer and distributor, celebrating 85 years in business. We design and distribute commercial-grade furniture nationwide and are expanding our online and channel sales strategy. We currently serve and are looking to expand in the commercial, education, and residential markets nationwide. Position Summary We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Accounting Clerk – Accounts Receivable & Collections to join our accounting team. The primary responsibility of this position is to actively manage outstanding customer receivables, follow up on past-due accounts, and drive timely collection of amounts owed. This role requires regular communication with customers by phone and email, persistent follow-up on outstanding invoices, and the ability to research and resolve issues that may be delaying payment. The position will also support other accounting functions, including applying cash receipts, entering accounts payable invoices, and processing outbound payments. The ideal candidate is comfortable discussing outstanding balances with customers, is persistent and professional in pursuing payment, and takes ownership of accounts until issues are resolved. Primary Responsibilities – Accounts Receivable & Collections • Actively monitor accounts receivable aging and prioritize collection efforts based on past-due balances and account status., • Contact customers regularly by phone and email to collect outstanding and past-due invoices., • Maintain consistent follow-up with customers until payment is received or outstanding issues are resolved., • Obtain payment commitments and expected payment dates from customers and follow up when commitments are not met., • Identify accounts requiring immediate attention and proactively work to prevent balances from becoming significantly past due., • Research disputed invoices, short payments, deductions, credits, missing invoices, pricing discrepancies, and other issues preventing payment., • Work with sales, customer service, and other internal departments to resolve customer disputes and remove obstacles to payment., • Provide customers with invoices, statements, proof of delivery, credit documentation, and other information necessary to facilitate payment., • Maintain accurate notes and documentation of collection calls, emails, payment commitments, disputes, and account activity., • Escalate significantly past-due accounts, broken payment commitments, or unresolved disputes to management., • Assist with identifying accounts that may require credit holds or other collection actions., • Develop a working understanding of assigned customer accounts, payment patterns, and recurring issues., • Build professional relationships with customer accounts payable departments to improve communication and payment timeliness., • Help maintain accurate customer account balances and a clean accounts receivable aging. Cash Receipts • Enter and apply customer payments accurately and promptly., • Process payments received through ACH, wire, check, credit card, and other payment methods., • Match payments to the appropriate customer accounts and invoices., • Research unapplied cash, unidentified payments, short payments, and other discrepancies., • Assist with reconciling cash receipts to bank activity and accounting records. Accounts Payable & Outbound Payments • Enter vendor invoices and other payables into the accounting system., • Verify invoice information and supporting documentation for accuracy., • Assist with resolving vendor invoice discrepancies., • Prepare and process approved vendor payments, including checks, ACH payments, and wire transfers., • Maintain accurate records and supporting documentation for outbound payments., • Follow established company approval procedures and internal controls. Qualifications • High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred., • Previous accounts receivable or collections experience strongly preferred., • Experience in accounting, bookkeeping, accounts payable, or a related administrative role is beneficial., • Comfortable making outbound collection calls and discussing past-due balances directly with customers., • Strong written and verbal communication skills., • Ability to be persistent and assertive while maintaining positive, professional customer relationships., • Strong attention to detail and accuracy., • Good organizational and time-management skills., • Ability to manage a portfolio of customer accounts and prioritize collection activity., • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and general business software., • Experience with accounting or ERP systems preferred., • Ability to handle confidential financial information responsibly. Key Attributes for Success • Persistent: Follows through consistently until payment or resolution is achieved., • Proactive: Identifies collection problems early rather than waiting for accounts to become seriously delinquent., • Professional: Comfortable requesting payment while maintaining strong customer relationships., • Accountable: Takes ownership of assigned accounts and follows outstanding issues through resolution., • Organized: Effectively manages numerous accounts, follow-up dates, commitments, and disputes., • Detail-Oriented: Accurately maintains customer balances, payment applications, and collection documentation., • Problem Solver: Investigates the underlying reasons invoices are not being paid and works with customers and internal teams to resolve them. Measures of Success Success in this position will be demonstrated by consistent reduction of past-due receivables, timely customer follow-up, fulfillment of customer payment commitments, resolution of disputed or delayed invoices, accurate application of cash receipts, and reliable completion of supporting accounting responsibilities. • The successful candidate will view collections as an active process—not simply notifying customers that invoices are past due, but identifying what is preventing payment and taking ownership of moving each account toward resolution.