CFS Credit & Business Analyst

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The CFS Credit Analyst is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the accounts receivable for specified customers as assigned to them by their respective Credit Manager or by the NAI GM of Customer Financial Services. Account maintenance will include the extension of credit within assigned authority, periodic credit reviews, and the timely resolution of account discrepancies and payment delinquency. It is the Credit Analysts’ responsibility to adhere to Nikon Americas Inc.’s stated Policies and Procedures as they relate to the ongoing management of its investment in Accounts Receivables. In addition to credit and collections responsibilities, the Credit Analyst will serve as a business partner by analyzing operational and financial data, identifying trends, evaluating business processes, and providing actionable recommendations to improve efficiency, customer experience, and financial performance. The Analyst will collaborate with cross-functional teams including Sales, Finance, Operations, Customer Service, and Information Technology to support strategic initiatives, enhance reporting capabilities, and contribute to continuous business improvement efforts. The Credit Analysts’ focus is to be continually placed on sales facilitation, customer satisfaction and continuous process improvement. This is to be achieved at all times with the highest degree of attention to ethical behavior as it relates to dealing with the company’s customers, service providers and company personnel. The Analyst needs to be adaptable, flexible and able to collaborate with other employees at different levels within the organization to accomplish common goals. The Analyst must be able to incorporate Nikon’s values in their personal work behavior, decision making, contributions and interpersonal interactions. 

Credit Analyst Responsibilities

• Research, establish and/or review existing credit limits on all assigned customers.
• Analyze financial statements, credit applications, credit bureau reports, and bank and trade references and conduct thorough research regarding the creditworthiness of assigned customers.  
• Complete on timely basis periodic financial reviews on assigned customers utilizing both internal and external information sources.
• Providing customer service regarding collection issues, process customer refunds, process and review account adjustments, resolve clients discrepancies and short payments. Responsible for monitoring and maintaining assigned accounts – Customer Calls, small balance write off and account reconciliations.
• Prepare updated credit reviews including detailed recommendations of appropriate credit lines and risk ratings for assigned customers.  
• Communicate with credit insurance brokers any adverse changes as it relates to customers as defined under Nikon Americas Inc.’s trade credit insurance policies.
• Facilitate the ongoing collection process of past due balances via e-mail, phone, dunning process and written correspondence as required.
• Reconcile account balances and facilitate on a timely basis the resolution of any charge back disputes including freight, tax, pricing, returns and advertising. Accurately detail any requests for the writing off of any specific balances.
• Continuously release customer orders from credit hold when appropriate in order to avoid unnecessary shipping delays to customers. Order release activity may be required during weekend hours if requested.
• Perform customer visits to review specific financial data or to resolve disputed balances (10% of time.) Some international travel may be required.

Business Analysis Responsibilities

• Analyze credit, collections, sales, customer, and operational data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance recurring reports, dashboards, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to support management decision-making.
• Interpret business requirements and collaborate with stakeholders to recommend process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce risk, and improve customer service levels.
• Conduct root cause analysis of customer payment issues, order holds, disputed deductions, and operational inefficiencies and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with Sales, Finance, Operations, Customer Service, and IT teams to support system enhancements, workflow optimization initiatives, and business process redesign efforts.
• Prepare analytical presentations and executive summaries highlighting key findings, trends, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Assist in the evaluation, testing, and implementation of new business processes, reporting tools, and system enhancements, including SAP S/4 HANA and other financial systems.
• Monitor departmental performance metrics and provide recommendations to improve accounts receivable turnover, dispute resolution timelines, and collection effectiveness.
• Document business processes, workflow requirements, and standard operating procedures to support operational consistency and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support strategic projects by gathering data, conducting financial and operational analyses, and presenting findings to management.

ANCILLARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work outside of normal business hours of operation, as required in order to fulfill essential functions and responsibilities.
• Provide customer invoice copies, credit copies and proof of delivery documentation.
• Perform administrative work including filing and typing as needed.
• Obtain remittance advice for payments received which do not have a remittance included.
• Complete monthly trade group report as required.
• Communicate with customers and Nikon Sales account managers regarding orders holding due to credit restrictions or delinquent payments.
• Drive continuous transformation, improvement/changes processes to increase operational productivity
• All other duties as required or assigned by their respective Credit Manager or the General Manager of Customer Financial Services.
• Participate in internal audit reviews as required.
• Assist in the bad-debt reserve analysis and write-off process.
• Continuous process improvement
• Lead or work on projects assigned by GM or President

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• 3-5 years’ experience in Business-to-Business credit and collections environment required.
• BA / BS in Business or Finance preferred.
• Bi-Lingual (English/Spanish, written and oral) skills are preferred. 
• Strong Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Outlook skills required.
• SAP S/4 HANA Experience Preferred.
• Experience in dealing with retail, wholesale, ecommerce businesses, University and Hospital preferred. 
• Experience dealing with international customers preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of internet applications. 
• Strong communication and negotiation skills both oral and written. (Invoice collection phone skills mandatory.) 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to transform data into actionable business recommendations.
• Experience developing reports, dashboards, KPIs, and management metrics using Excel and business intelligence tools.
• Ability to gather business requirements, analyze processes, and recommend operational improvements.
• Experience with data visualization and reporting platforms such as Power BI, Power Query, Tableau, or similar tools preferred.
• Strong time management and work prioritization skills.
• Sound research, analysis and reconciliation skills.
• Proficient in analyzing customer financial statements.
• Ability to interact effectively with customers and colleagues at all levels 
• Fundamental knowledge of Credit & Collections Principles & Practices
• Letter of credit and other export credit security and knowledge (when applicable)
• Ability to work outside of regularly scheduled work hours as needed
• Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time.
• Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to successfully perform the essential function of the position.