Accounts Receivable and Credit Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

C. F. Martin & Co., Inc.® has been making the finest handcrafted acoustic guitars since 1833. For the biggest names and the most revered musical legends. For the pioneers, the rebels, and the dreamers. For anyone who cares about music and loves making it. There's a passion that runs through this organization. From our employees to our loyal customers to our business partners across the globe. This passion fuels our ambition to make the very best tools designed to help every artist share their music with the world for generations to come. Nearly 200 years of making great music and unleashing the artist within. And we're ready for the next 200. Want to come with us? Summary Description:The Accounts Receivable & Credit Specialist is an experienced Finance professional responsible for maintaining accurate customer accounts, managing collections and credit activities, supporting cash application, and driving improvements in accounts receivable processes.This role requires more than transactional accounts receivable experience. The successful candidate will bring strong AR and credit knowledge, sound judgment, systems proficiency, and a continuous improvement mindset. This individual is expected to bring demonstrated AR expertise, introduce best practices, identify opportunities for automation and process improvement, and help strengthen the overall capabilities of the Accounts Receivable and Credit team.The position works closely with dealers and customers, as well as Sales, Customer Service, Accounting, IT, banking partners, and other internal and external stakeholders to improve cash collection, resolve account issues, reduce manual processing, and support positive customer experience.Specific Duties and Responsibilities:Accounts Receivable & Cash ApplicationAccurately apply customer payments received through checks, ACH, wire transfers, credit cards, lockbox, payment portals, and other payment methods.Research and resolve unapplied cash, short payments, overpayments, deductions, and other customer account discrepancies.Reconcile customer accounts and prepare detailed reconciliations for key, complex, or higher-risk accounts.Process credit memos, debit memos, returned material credits, and other customer account adjustments.Reconcile and close credit card transactions and related payment activity.Support timely and accurate month-end accounts receivable close activities.Maintain appropriate documentation and internal controls over cash application and customer account activity.Collections & Credit ManagementIndependently manage collections for an assigned portfolio of domestic and Canadian dealer accounts.Proactively contact dealers and customers regarding past-due balances and resolve issues that may delay payment.Review customer accounts and credit status for orders pending shipment.Partner with Sales and Customer Service to resolve credit holds while appropriately managing the Company's financial exposure and customer relationships.Evaluate customer payment history, credit information, and other available data to support credit decisions.Obtain and maintain floor plan financing approvals where applicable.Respond to external credit inquiries and maintain appropriate supporting documentation.Identify emerging customer credit risks and escalate significant concerns appropriately.Dealer Payments & Payment TechnologySupport and administer dealer payment processes across ACH, credit card, lockbox, payment portals, and other electronic payment methods.Work with credit card surcharge payment portals and assist dealers with payment-related questions and issues.Support the expansion and adoption of automated dealer payment capabilities.Identify opportunities to transition dealers from manual checks and other labor-intensive payment methods to ACH, lockbox, payment portal, or other automated solutions.Support the automation of lockbox payment processing and cash application, including researching and resolving exceptions.Partner with Finance, IT, banking partners, and payment providers to improve payment processing, reconciliation, and cash application efficiency.Participate in the testing, implementation, and ongoing improvement of payment technologies, integrations, and processes.Systems & Process ImprovementUtilize Infor SyteLine to manage customer accounts, cash application, credit activity, account research, and reporting.Serve as a knowledgeable AR systems resource and help strengthen the team's effective use of SyteLine and related Finance systems.Identify repetitive, manual, or inefficient AR activities and recommend opportunities for automation, standardization, or process redesign.Participate in the testing and implementation of system enhancements, payment integrations, workflow automation, and reporting improvements.Develop and maintain clear process documentation, procedures, and training materials.Identify opportunities to improve data quality, internal controls, accuracy, cycle time, and customer experience.Assist in developing reporting and metrics that provide visibility into collections, aging, payment behavior, unapplied cash, deductions, credit exposure, and other key AR activities.Take an active role in improving processes rather than simply maintaining existing practices.Automation & Emerging TechnologyDemonstrate curiosity and initiative in using technology to improve Finance processes and reduce manual work.Apply basic AI knowledge and tools to appropriate Finance activities, including research, documentation, data analysis, process improvement, and administrative efficiency.Identify practical opportunities to incorporate AI, workflow tools, and automation into Accounts Receivable processes while maintaining appropriate controls, confidentiality, and data security.Support Finance automation initiatives and help evaluate new technologies that may improve payment processing, cash application, collections, or customer service.Remain current on evolving payment technologies and practical applications of automation and AI within Finance.Team ContributionServe as an experienced and knowledgeable resource for other members of the Accounts Receivable and Credit team.Share knowledge, best practices, systems expertise, and problem-solving techniques to strengthen overall team capability.Assist with training and cross-training team members on accounts receivable processes, credit and collections, SyteLine, payment methods, account research, and related technologies.Take ownership of issues through resolution rather than relying on escalation for routine or moderately complex matters.Challenge existing processes constructively and recommend practical improvements.Support special projects and broader Finance initiatives as needed.Position Requirements:Associate or bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred, or equivalent relevant professional experience.Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in accounts receivable, credit, collections, cash application, or a related Finance function preferred.Strong working knowledge of accounts receivable, credit, collections, and cash application processes.Experience in a manufacturing, distribution, dealer-based, or similarly complex business environment preferred.Experience with Infor SyteLine is strongly preferred.Experience with electronic payment methods, including ACH, wire transfers, credit cards, lockbox, and online payment portals.Familiarity with credit card surcharge payment portals and related payment processing workflows are preferred.Experience implementing, supporting, or improving automated customer or dealer payment and cash application processes strongly preferred.Experience working with bank lockbox solutions and automated lockbox processing preferred.Demonstrated ability to independently research and resolve complex customer account issues.Strong Microsoft Excel and overall systems skills.Exposure to workflow automation, reporting tools, or Finance process automation preferred.Basic familiarity with AI productivity tools and an interest in expanding the practical use of AI within Finance.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.Ability to understand the broader business and customer impact of AR and credit decisions.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Ability to interact professionally and effectively with dealers, customers, and employees at multiple levels of the organization.Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate with a high degree of independence.Core Competencies:Technical Expertise Demonstrates strong knowledge of accounts receivable, collections, credit, cash application, and customer account management.Ownership & Accountability Takes responsibility for issues, follows them through to resolution, and delivers accurate and timely results.Continuous Improvement Consistently looks for better, faster, more automated, and more effective ways to perform work.Systems Aptitude Effectively utilizes ERP, payment, reporting, and automation technologies and demonstrates the ability to learn new systems quickly.Analytical Thinking & Problem-Solving Uses data, experience, and sound judgment to identify issues, determine root causes, and develop practical solutions.Customer Focus Balances effective credit and collection practices with the importance of maintaining strong dealer and customer relationships.Communication Communicates clearly, professionally, and constructively with internal and external stakeholders.Collaboration Works effectively across Finance, Sales, Customer Service, IT, and other functions to achieve business objectives.Knowledge Sharing Actively shares expertise and helps strengthen the skills and capabilities of the broader team.Adaptability & Learning Embraces new systems, technologies, processes, and ways of working and maintains an interest in ongoing professional development.