Accounts Receivable Specialist Job Description

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Accounts receivable is often the lifeblood of an organization. Accounts receivable specialists and the departments they work within are responsible for monitoring and managing accounts and billing, and following up with any customer or supplier with outstanding payments. These financial professionals provide administrative and clerical support to ensure that books are always current and accurate so that management can make effective business decisions.

To attract and retain the best professionals for this role, it’s important to start with a solid job description. You can tailor the one below to your individual needs.

Accounts receivable can be the lifeblood of an organization. To attract and retain the best specialists for an accounts receivable team, you must first create a solid job description. The most effective will share the expectations and qualifications for the position in a concise yet detailed way. Provide some insights into your company culture and how the potential hire will contribute on a day-to-day basis. Start by visualizing the ideal employee, and use this to guide the crafting of the job description. The better you describe the responsibilities, the more likely it is you’ll find the right person for this role.

Sample accounts receivable specialist job description

At [Company X], we rely on a meticulous financial system to drive business forward. Our accounts receivable department keeps that system running smoothly by managing cash influx and collecting payment from clients. We’re searching for a skilled financial specialist to join our accounts receivable team to help process, track, and record payments in an accurate, efficient, and timely manner. The accounts receivable specialist will have both a day-to-day and ongoing impact on financial transactions, keeping us on track, on time, and on good terms with our valued partners.

Objectives of this role

Support the company in optimizing our financial transactions and systems by performing reconciliation of payments and customer accounts
Communicate discrepancies to management team, identify slow-paying customers, and recommend collection candidates
Strengthen and grow relationships with clients by communicating with customers regarding past-due accounts
Assist in streamlining the accounts receivable process by identifying areas for performance improvement
Exercise integrity and confidentiality in financial reporting, and comply with national and local financial requirements

Responsibilities

Gather and verify invoices for appropriate documentation prior to payment
Maintain accounts receivable records to ensure aging is up to date, credits and collections are applied, uncollectible amounts are accounted for, and miscellaneous differences are cleared
Perform daily cash management duties, including the recording of bank deposits, updating and distribution of cash receipt logs, and posting of cash to the accounts receivable sub-ledger
Monitor and collect accounts receivable by contacting clients via telephone, email, and mail
Prepare analytical and ratio analyses relevant to A/R so management can gain a better understanding of how collection efforts are progressing
Support other accounting and finance team members, inventory management, and cost accounting

Required skills and qualifications

Strong mathematical skills
Understanding of basic principles of finance, accounting, and bookkeeping
Superb time management and detail orientation
Proficiency with Google Drive
Ability to keep company and partner confidences
Proficiency with QuickBooks Online and one of the commonly used accounting ERP systems, such as Oracle, SAP, NetSuite

Preferred skills and qualifications

Associate’s degree or equivalent
Experience in accounts receivable (or accounts payable)
Experience in driving process improvement

Accounts receivable specialist job description

How to write an accounts receivable specialist job description