The Senior Accounts Receivable Accountant at CEQUENS is responsible to oversee the accounts receivable function, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of customer invoices, receipts, and collections. Your role is critical in maintaining strong customer relationships, optimizing cash flow, resolving payment discrepancies, providing financial reporting and analysis, and minimizing bad debt exposure. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve billing discrepancies, improve collection processes, and enhance overall accounts receivable efficiency.
Main Areas of Responsibility
Invoice Generation and Billing
- Manage the invoicing process, ensuring accurate and timely generation and distribution of customer invoices
- Review billing schedules, pricing agreements, and contract terms to ensure accuracy and compliance with customer requirements
- Coordinate with sales, operations, and customer success teams to resolve billing discrepancies and address customer inquiries
Cash Receipts and Application
- Process customer payments, including checks, electronic funds transfers, and credit card payments, and apply them accurately to customer accounts
- Reconcile daily cash receipts and bank deposits to ensure accuracy and completeness of cash application
- Investigate and resolve payment discrepancies and unapplied cash balances in a timely manner
Collections and Credit Management
- Monitor accounts receivable aging reports and proactively follow up on past due invoices to expedite collections
- Communicate with customers via phone, email, or written correspondence to address outstanding balances and negotiate payment arrangements
- Assess credit risk and make recommendations for credit limits, payment terms, and collection strategies to minimize bad debt exposure
Billing Dispute Resolution
- Investigate and resolve billing disputes and customer inquiries related to invoice discrepancies, pricing errors, and payment disputes
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including sales, finance, and operations, to resolve customer issues and prevent recurrence
- Document and track billing disputes and resolutions to maintain accurate records and audit trails
Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Prepare and analyze accounts receivable aging reports, collections trends, and key performance metrics to assess departmental performance
- Assist in the preparation of month-end and year-end close activities, including revenue recognition, bad debt reserve analysis, and financial reporting
- Provide insights and recommendations for process improvements and operational efficiencies to enhance accounts receivable performance
Customer Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, serving as the primary point of contact for billing and collections inquiries
- Collaborate with sales and customer success teams to address customer needs and concerns, fostering positive customer experiences and loyalty
- Proactively identify opportunities to streamline billing processes, improve payment collections, and enhance overall customer satisfaction
Requirements
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Professional certification such as CPA, CMA, or equivalent is preferred
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in accounts receivable or accounting roles, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead capacity
- Experience in a technology or SaaS company is preferred
Skills
- Proficiency in accounts receivable processes, including invoice generation, cash receipts application, and collections management
- Strong understanding of accounting principles and revenue recognition standards (GAAP)
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks) and advanced Excel skills
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Analytical mindset and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes of billing issues and implement solutions to resolve them