Accounting Specialist I

Accounting Specialist I (Cash Applications)The Accounting Specialist I (Cash Applications) is responsible for ensuring a timely and accurate recording of accounts receivable payments, and journal entries; providing receivable information as requested.Blanchard Machinery Company is committed to fostering a high-performance work culture with challenging work opportunities that inspire high quality results. Some of the benefits of joining our team are:Competitive Pay.Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401K, profit sharing, generous PTO and paid holidays, uniforms, and much more.Exposure to world-class CAT training and development.A friendly and supportive work environment.Continuous exposure to learning and new technologies.Opportunities for advancement.ResponsibilitiesContributes to a positive work environment and promotes the vision, mission, and values of BMC.Completes all job responsibilities in a safe manner, promotes and champions a safe and healthy work environment.Process and accurately apply all incoming payments for all customer accounts from various sources including Live Checks, Credit Cards, Daily Cash, Electronic Lockbox and Wire/ACH Transfers in a timely manner.Identify and communicate discrepancies in payments received with credit department analysts.Download, review, reconcile and post all lockbox payments on a current and daily basis.Performs reconciliation of daily deposits to the cash postings.Research unidentified payments for proper posting or return to the payer within 45 days of receipt.Responsible for Month-end closing activity that all payments have been matched properly.Research and resolve unapplied cash and gains approval from Accounting Manager monthly.Contact customers as required regarding questionable payments and resolve based on departmental procedures.Prepare detailed, accurate and organized accounts receivable reconciliations for customer requests as well as internal requests.Responsible for initiating unapplied payment and chargeback correspondence to customers.Maintain the responsibility for unapplied payments and lockbox bookkeeping accounts in assigned areas.Assist with mailing or faxing customer invoice copy requests as required.Provide quality, professional customer service to all internal and external A/R personnel.Additional tasks/duties as assigned by Finance Management and Supervisor/Manager.Payment records are matched to open customer invoices indicating payment has been received.Reviews all receipts by type; reconciles detail to bank receipt total. Discrepancies are identified and communicated to appropriate areas. Adjustments are made as needed to properly apply payment.Enters and matches payment adjustments as directed by the credit manager.Upon request from a Customer – Research and communicate payment application; includes both past application and current payment application.Enters all journal entries received in a timely and accurate manner.Performs other duties as assigned.QualificationsHigh School Diploma or GED equivalent required. Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance, preferred.2-3 years of experience in handling complex accounts receivable duties in an accounting environment.General understanding of accounting concepts and procedures.Organizational and time management skills to prioritize heavy individual workload to meet time sensitive deadlines.Excellent communication skills; demonstrated professional, tactful problem-solving skills with personal presence to interface with corporate decision makers.Ability to compile, analyze and interpret financial information and data to facilitate decision making.Strong knowledge of banking and lockbox interfaces, downloads and software.Familiarity with GL codes.Demonstrated Proficiency in Microsoft office products. Proficiency in Excel is a must.Highly polished professional, articulate, excellent writing and speaking skills.Expert experience in journal entry recording, auditing and reconciliation of multiple accounts.Proven ability to create detailed line-item account reconciliations from the ground up.Must have excellent proven problem-solving skills and the ability to self-train on all systems and processes.Must be able and willing to work extended hours as the business need requires.Personal commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence.Ability to work independently with limited supervision.Working ConditionsThe physical environment requires the employee to work inside throughout the year.Requires standing, stooping, squatting, pushing, pulling, twisting, turning, lifting.Seeing, reading, and writing to complete job responsibilities.Use of computers and other forms of technology to complete job responsibilities.