Sr. Accounts Receivable-Collections Representative-II

Irvine based Biotech Company is adding to their accounting team, this is a Temp to Hire opportunity!

Considering candidates with a diverse background: AR, collections, credit applications, billing, cash applications and charge backs.

The Accounts Receivable Collections Representative is responsible for collecting trade accounts receivable for all customer accounts assigned. This position initiates customer contact in a professional and courteous manner and performs timely follow-up action in the form of direct communication via telephone, email, fax or written correspondence directed at obtaining payment or payment status. The incumbent must be knowledge about basic credit principles, in order to minimize risk and bad debt write off, as well as being able to determine the collectability of past due accounts. The incumbent also manages priorities and dispute resolution that are also critical to successfully improve cash flow through timely and effective collection of past due invoices. This role may also be required to initiate requests for credit memos or corrected invoices as necessary, in order to present correct and complete billing or cancel/adjust disputed invoices in accordance with company policy and accounting guidelines.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Collect all invoices owed on all customer accounts assigned based upon established guidelines and management of priorities by amount owed, past due age or degree of credit risk as necessary to effectively reduce past due invoices and maximize cash collections;
• Maintain documentation and record all activity and status of customer accounts and past due invoices as necessary to determine collection status; Record notations, collection notes or status codes in all collection databases or Expandable AR and manual paper files as directed;
• Provide timely preparation and analysis of requested AR reports & data as requested;
• Provide requested documents to customers on a timely basis as requested on invoices, credit memos, proof of delivery and statements;
• Resolve past due accounts/invoices directly with the customer and ensure the proper escalation of high priority issues to sales and/or management as directed;
• Initiate contact with customers directly via telephone, email, fax or written correspondence, using a respectful, courteous business tone at all times;
• Identify all customer deductions for rebate, discount or tracing and process credit memos to properly clear the deduction and apply credit memo to correct invoices per customer remittance information, obtaining necessary approvals from Finance before processing;
• Generate requests for credit memos or corrected invoices as necessary to correct erroneous billing for pricing, tax, freight, discount or miscellaneous credit obtaining the necessary approvals based upon accounting guidelines;
• Work with the company’s auditors during annual audit and quarterly reviews, providing copies of invoices or other documents as requested;
• Utilize the company’s ERP/Accounting System software;
• Assist with implementation of AR, credit and collection policies & procedures;
• Perform other duties or special projects as requested;

Minimum & Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two or more years of collections or related experience with trade accounts, or four years of AR experience in an accounting related function;
• Two or more years of experience in a computerized accounting system’s environment;
• Ability to effectively interface and communicate with internal customers, including sales and customer service, as well as other departments and management;
• Must be a self-starter; a “hands-on” individual who enjoys a challenge and is dedicated to getting the job done with minimal support and direction;
• Experience in working in both large structured and small entrepreneurial organizations; Sensitive to the constraints of a small-to-mid-size, high growth operation and capable of working effectively in such an environment; Must have flexibility in reacting to new situations and adaptability for working in a new environment;
• Must possess excellent organizational and communication skills;
• Must have good computer/PC skills and possess basic skills with MS Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word and Excel);

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more 5 years of collections experience with trade customers, within the medical device industry;

Education:

High school diploma or GED equivalent is required. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is preferred.