Accounts Receivable Accountant

Accounts Receivable Accountant

At American Engineering Testing (AET), we believe that people are the heart of innovation. We create an environment that values teamwork, curiosity, and continuous improvement while delivering innovative engineering and consulting solutions. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we deliver comprehensive testing, analysis, and design to reduce uncertainty in construction projects and offer rewarding work, exceptional training, and career development opportunities.

Job Summary

The Accounts Receivable Accountant is responsible for supporting AET's financial operations by managing accounts receivable processes, ensuring timely collection of outstanding invoices, and maintaining accurate financial records. This role partners closely with Project Accounting, operations leaders, and clients to resolve billing discrepancies, monitor aging accounts, and support overall cash flow management.

The position requires strong analytical skills and sound accounting judgment to independently review receivables data, assess trends and risk, and identify discrepancies. The Accounts Receivable Accountant plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of financial information, maintaining compliance with internal controls, and contributing to a positive client experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage accounts receivable processes, including monitoring client accounts, reviewing aging reports, and supporting timely collection of outstanding invoices.
• Review and screen new accounts in accordance with company standards, including evaluating account information and coordinating resolution of any discrepancies.
• Secure revenue by reviewing and verifying recorded cash receipts, checks, credit card transactions, lockbox activity, and local deposits.
• Apply and post payments accurately, investigating and resolving discrepancies such as short payments, overpayments, unapplied cash, and missing remittances.
• Maintain up-to-date accounts receivable records by verifying, reconciling, and entering transactions in the ERP/accounting system.
• Analyze aging reports, payment trends, and delinquent accounts to identify collection risks and recommend appropriate follow-up actions.
• Analyze account activity to identify recurring discrepancies, process gaps, or client-specific issues and recommend corrective solutions and process improvements to enhance efficiency.
• Prepare reconciliations and supporting documentation for accounts receivable balances.
• Communicate with clients regarding outstanding balances, payment status, invoice questions, and account reconciliations in a professional and timely manner.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including project accounting and finance, to research and resolve billing discrepancies and account issues.
• Document collections activity, client communications, and analytical findings in accordance with internal standards.
• Support management by providing analysis, summaries, and insights related to cash flow, collections performance, and receivables trends.
• Assist with bad debt evaluation, allowance analysis, and write-off recommendations in accordance with company policy.
• Support month-end close and periodic reporting processes related to accounts receivable.
• Ensure compliance with accounting principles, internal controls, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities; however, it may provide guidance or coordination to internal teams, including Project Accounting, operations, or finance staff, as well as support cross-functional partners as needed.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional experience in accounts receivable, accounting, or related financial roles.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles, including accrual accounting, debit/credit concepts, and financial reconciliation.
• Experience with cash application, invoice management, and ERP or accounting systems.
• Ability to analyze financial data, identify trends or discrepancies, and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment, with effective written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in professional services, engineering, or project-based organizations.
• Experience with aging analysis, receivables trend analysis, bank reconciliations, and bad debt or collections strategy support.
• Knowledge of financial reporting and internal controls.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across cross-functional teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, lookups, data analysis).
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA, CIA) or progress toward certification.

Pay Transparency

Base compensation is expected to be in the range of $65,000 to $75,000 per year based on skill set and experience. AET offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health benefits, insurance, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), long-term savings, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. The selected candidate must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Work Environment

This job primarily operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The position offers a hybrid work schedule in accordance with AET's hybrid work policy, provided that daily responsibilities do not require onsite presence.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands or fingers, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.