Account Receivable Specialist

Summary of Position:

The Accounts Receivable Specialist is responsible for supporting the daily cash application and receivables process by accurately identifying, posting, and reconciling customer payments. This role manages remittance communications, conducts collections follow-ups on past-due accounts, ensures timely resolution of unapplied cash, and facilitates payment confirmations between internal and external entities. The AR Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining accurate financial records, supporting cash flow, following up with customers to secure timely payments, and ensuring efficient and compliant accounts receivable operations.

Essential Job Requirements:

• Identify and accurately apply incoming cash receipts to customer accounts, including checks, ACH payments, wire transfers, and credit card transactions.
• Post daily cash transactions in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring proper coding and documentation.
• Manage the remittance inbox by reviewing, organizing, and processing payment details to support accurate cash application.
• Research and resolve unidentified, short-paid, or misapplied remittances in coordination with the AR/Collections Manager.
• Perform unapplied cash reconciliations, investigate discrepancies, and ensure timely resolution of outstanding items.
• Maintain detailed records of unapplied and pending cash activities and provide regular updates to management.
• Facilitate payment confirmations between internal departments and external customers to ensure transactions are properly reconciled.
• Communicate with customers to obtain missing remittance information and resolve payment-related issues.
• Assist with collections activities, including monitoring customer accounts, following up on past-due invoices, and obtaining payment commitments.
• Review aging reports and prioritize collection efforts to reduce outstanding receivable balances.
• Research and resolve customer account discrepancies, disputes, payment issues, and short payments in partnership with internal teams.
• Accurately document collection activities, customer communications, payment arrangements, and account resolutions.
• Escalate significant collection concerns or unresolved issues to the AR/Collections Manager.
• Assist with account reconciliations and month-end and year-end close activities related to accounts receivable.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting procedures, internal controls, and audit requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of customer, financial, and company information.
• Perform other accounts receivable and collections duties as assigned.

Required Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of accounts receivable, cash application, collections, or related accounting experience.
• Experience posting and reconciling customer payments.
• Experience managing customer account balances and following up on delinquent accounts.
• Experience working with accounting software and Microsoft Office applications.

Required Skills:

• Strong knowledge of accounts receivable principles, cash application processes, and collections practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data entry, sorting, filtering, and basic formulas.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to investigate and resolve payment discrepancies independently.
• Professional customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Working Conditions:

• Onsite position located in Deer Park, Texas.
• Standard office environment.
• Regular use of computers, telephones, and office equipment.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer work.

Pay Range: $20 – $25 hourly

Benefits offered:

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Short-term disability
• 100% employer paid Long-term Disability
• 100% employer paid life insurance
• 401K match
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program

EEO Statement:

Universal Plant Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.