Collections Specialist

Description

The Collections Specialist manages an assigned accounts receivable portfolio and is responsible for turning outstanding balances into cash. This role supports a high-volume, fast-paced environment within a multi-entity business that operates on a recurring revenue model. The individual in this position is expected to independently prioritize daily activity, make direct customer contact, identify barriers to payment, and drive timely resolution by partnering with customers and internal departments.

Work is guided by a weekly portfolio review and the specialist's own assessment of receivables exposure, rather than a fully automated collections workflow. Portfolios may include approximately 400 to 900 customer accounts with past-due balances ranging from $750,000 to $2,500,000, across a mix of large national accounts, strategic customers, franchise groups, and small to midsize businesses. Many accounts may involve parent-child billing structures and multiple bill-to locations.

Success in this role requires strong results orientation, sound judgment, comfort working independently, and the ability to consistently meet monthly cash collection targets.

Key Responsibilities

+ Manage an assigned receivables portfolio and achieve a monthly cash collections target

+ Perform daily outbound collections activity, with emphasis on live customer outreach by phone, followed by email as needed

+ Escalate within customer accounts payable organizations when initial contacts do not lead to payment commitments

+ Obtain specific payment commitments, including amount and date, and accurately document them in the company's receivables system

+ Actively monitor and follow through on payment promises until funds are received or a new resolution is secured

+ Use aging reports and weekly portfolio priorities to segment accounts by risk, balance, and delinquency, and develop a daily action plan

+ Respond to customer inquiries related to overdue balances and provide supporting documentation such as invoices, account statements, and account details

Requirements

+ 2+ years of business-to-business collections or accounts receivable experience in a high-volume environment

+ Experience managing a large portfolio of past-due accounts with responsibility for cash collections results

+ Strong ability to work independently, prioritize daily activity, and manage a portfolio with minimal supervision

+ Proven success making outbound collection calls and securing payment commitments

+ Experience researching and resolving nonpayment issues, billing discrepancies, disputes, short pays, and unapplied cash

+ Ability to analyze aging reports, account activity, remittances, and spreadsheets to reconcile balances

+ Experience working with large, complex customer structures, including parent-child or multi-location accounts, preferred

+ Proficiency with ERP or accounts receivable systems and Microsoft Excel; experience with billing or AP portals preferred

+ Strong documentation skills and ability to maintain accurate account notes and status updates in real time

+ Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with customers and internal partners

+ Strong problem-solving, follow-up, negotiation, and escalation skills

+ Ability to meet performance goals related to cash collections, account coverage, and portfolio aging reduction

Preferred Qualifications

+ Associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field preferred

+ Experience in a multi-entity, high-volume, recurring revenue environment preferred

+ Background supporting enterprise, strategic, franchise, or SMB customer portfolios preferred

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary…