AR Accounting Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for an AR Accounting Specialist to support accounts receivable operations for a transportation equipment manufacturing organization in Birmingham, Alabama. This position focuses on timely cash application, payment research, and account accuracy across multiple entities while working closely with internal teams to resolve discrepancies. The ideal candidate brings strong attention to detail, sound analytical skills, and the ability to manage a high volume of transactions in a fast-paced environment. This position offers a flexible hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Process incoming payment activity from banking channels, lockbox files, wire transfers, and checks, ensuring transactions are reviewed and recorded promptly.

• Post customer remittances to outstanding invoices accurately across multiple business entities and verify that account activity is updated without delay.

• Investigate unapplied cash, unidentified receipts, deductions, and chargebacks to determine the proper resolution and clear outstanding items.

• Resolve payment exceptions such as missing remittance details, duplicate receipts, partial payments, overpayments, returns, and other account variances.

• Maintain organized records of research findings, posting decisions, and customer account updates to support transparency and follow-up.

• Monitor shared communication channels, work queues, and assigned cases to ensure payment-related issues are addressed within expected timelines.

• Collaborate with collections, credit, customer service, accounting, sales, and banking contacts to resolve complex payment discrepancies.

• Reconcile cash received against cash posted, review rejected or reversed transactions, and research variances to ensure completeness and accuracy.

• Contribute to month-end close by confirming payment activity is current, assisting with reconciliations and reporting, and preparing support for audit requests.

• Identify recurring exception trends and recommend process improvements or automation opportunities to strengthen workflow efficiency.

• Experience in accounts receivable, cash application, or payment processing within a high-volume environment.
• Working knowledge of commercial collections and customer account reconciliation practices.
• Ability to research and resolve payment discrepancies, unapplied cash, short-pays, chargebacks, and related exceptions.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accurate records and handle multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in billing support functions and general accounts receivable processes.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to work across accounting, sales, customer service, credit, and collections teams.
• Analytical problem-solving skills and comfort working with transaction data, account activity, and reporting.
• Ability to support deadlines tied to weekly balancing activities and monthly close requirements.