Temp-perm AR Clerk

Temp-Perm AR Clerk Our client has an immediate need for a Temp-Perm AR Clerk. The Accounts Receivable Clerk is responsible for the accurate and timely billing, cash application, and collection of customer accounts. Working in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, this position converts completed sales orders and shipments into customer invoices, applies payments, monitors aging, and follows up on past-due balances so that cash is collected within terms and customer accounts are clean and well documented. This is a detail-driven, deadline-oriented role that sits at the intersection of accounting, sales, and production. The clerk works closely with customer service, shipping, and the sales team to resolve pricing, quantity, freight, and delivery discrepancies before they become collection problems. Success in this position is measured by invoice accuracy, days sales outstanding (DSO), the condition of the aging report, and the professionalism of every customer interaction. Essential Duties And Responsibilities Generate and post customer invoices in Business Central from shipped sales orders, work orders, and delivery tickets, verifying quantities, square footage, unit pricing, discounts, freight, and applicable taxes before release. Confirm that customer pricing, price groups, and contract or dealer terms in Business Central match the approved quote or price list; escalate discrepancies to the sales team or Controller for resolution. Process credit memos, rebills, and pricing adjustments with proper documentation and approval, and maintain a clear audit trail for each. Distribute invoices and statements to customers by email or mail according to each account's requirements. Bill freight, delivery, pallet, restocking, and special-order charges accurately and consistently. Coordinate and file completed billing documents. Apply customer payments checks, ACH, wire, and credit card to the correct invoices in Business Central daily, and research and resolve short pays, over payments, and unapplied cash. Prepare and record daily bank deposits and remote deposit capture batches; reconcile daily receipts to the deposit total and the general ledger posting. Maintain organized backup for all receipts, remittance advices, and deposit records. Monitor the AR aging report daily and work past-due accounts through a consistent, documented collection cycle of statements, email reminders, and phone calls. Contact customers professionally and persistently to resolve delinquent balances, negotiate payment arrangements within approved guidelines, and escalate accounts that require Controller or legal involvement. Document all collection activity, customer commitments, and disputes in Business Central or the department's collection log so account history is complete and current. Research and resolve customer disputes and deductions by gathering supporting documents delivery tickets, signed proofs of delivery, purchase orders, and pricing approvals. Assist with new customer credit applications: gather and verify trade and bank references, request credit reports, and prepare recommendations on credit limits and terms for approval. Maintain accurate customer master data in Business Central, including bill-to and ship-to addresses, contacts, terms, credit limits, tax status, and sales tax exemption certificates. Monitor accounts placed on credit hold and communicate hold and release status to sales, customer service, and shipping. Prepare and distribute the month-end aging report, cash receipts summary, and other AR reports requested by management. Assist with sales tax reporting by maintaining exemption certificates and providing taxable and non-taxable sales detail. Serve as the primary contact for customer billing and payment inquiries, responding promptly and courteously. Coordinate with customer service, shipping, and production to verify order status, delivery confirmation, and quantity or damage claims that affect billing. Communicate account status and collection risk to the sales team so credit issues are addressed before additional orders ship. Support process improvement efforts in billing, collections, and cash application, including better use of Business Central functionality. Provide backup support to other accounting functions and perform other duties as assigned. Serve as backup for customer service personnel if they are out of office. Qualifications Required High school diploma or GED; associate degree or coursework in accounting, business, or a related field preferred. One to three years of accounts receivable, billing, collections, or general accounting experience. Working knowledge of basic accounting principles, including debits and credits and the accounts receivable cycle. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (sorting, filtering, lookups, and pivot tables) and comfort learning new software. Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail with high-volume numeric data. Professional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to hold firm but courteous collection conversations. Ability to handle confidential customer and financial information with discretion. Reliable attendance and the ability to work on-site during scheduled business hours. Preferred Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or a comparable ERP system (NAV, SAP, Sage, Epicor, Infor). Accounts receivable experience in manufacturing, building products, construction supply, or a distribution environment. Experience with exemption certificate management. Some accounts payable or general accounting experience preferred. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage a daily aging report and competing deadlines without close supervision. Persistent and solution-oriented in collections; able to stay professional under pressure from frustrated customers. Comfortable working across departments and following an issue through to resolution. Strong data entry speed and accuracy; able to catch and correct errors before they reach the customer. Dependable, punctual, and able to maintain confidentiality in a small-office environment. Work Schedule This is a full-time, on-site position; remote and hybrid work are not available for this role. Occasional additional hours may be required at month-end, quarter-end, and year-end, or during periods of peak volume.