Accounts Receivable Specialist

Accounts Receivable Specialist Golden State Foods is a distinguished leader in the food service industry, offering an extensive array of products and services to a diverse clientele. Rooted in the values of quality service and integrity, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where employees can advance, innovate, and contribute to our ongoing success. The Accounts Receivable Specialist is responsible for supporting customer accounts receivable, miscellaneous invoicing activities (e.g. rebates/volume allowances) and account reconciliation processes that promote accurate financial reporting, timely cash collection, and strong customer account management. This position ensures customer transactions are accurately processed, customer balances are collected in accordance with payment terms, allowances are properly calculated and reconciled, and billing discrepancies are identified and resolved in a timely manner. The role works closely with Sales, Customer Service, Operations, Finance, and customers to research and resolve account issues and ensure accurate financial reporting. Key Responsibilities: Accounts Receivable Manage assigned customer accounts, monitor account activity, and proactively investigate issues affecting payment performance and account accuracy. Process and maintain accounts receivable transactions. Assist with cash application and customer account reconciliation. Research, validate, dispute, and resolve customer deductions, shortages, pricing claims, and payment discrepancies. Review customer aging, prioritize collection opportunities, and coordinate resolution of outstanding balances and disputed items. Investigate account activity and identify unusual or incorrect transactions. Respond to internal and external customer inquiries. Maintain accurate customer account documentation. Volume Allowance Processing Evaluate volume allowance activity for accuracy and identify trends, exceptions, or discrepancies that may impact customer profitability or financial reporting. Process customer volume allowances in accordance with established agreements and procedures. Review sales and volume activity to validate allowance calculations. Prepare and maintain allowance schedules and supporting documentation. Reconcile volume allowance activity to customer accounts and financial records. Research discrepancies between allowance calculations, accruals, invoices, and customer accounts. Process allowance-related credits, adjustments, or other transactions as required. Support period-end allowance processing and reconciliation. Identify recurring allowance discrepancies and recommend process improvements. Invoicing & Billing Prepare, validate, and process miscellaneous customer invoices and billing transactions while ensuring compliance with company policies and contractual requirements. Prepare invoice adjustments, credits, rebills, and other billing transactions. Review billing requests for appropriate documentation and approvals. Research and resolve invoicing discrepancies. Coordinate with Customer Service, Sales, and Operations regarding billing issues. Ensure miscellaneous billing transactions are accurately recorded in the ERP system. Support special billing projects and non-routine invoicing requirements. Reconciliation & Month-End Support Perform customer account and general ledger reconciliations, investigate variances, and ensure timely resolution of reconciling items. Reconcile allowance activity and identify variances Research and resolve reconciling items. Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for month-end close. Assist with AR aging reviews and period-end reporting. Provide supporting information for internal and external audits. Process Improvement Identify opportunities to improve AR, allowance, and invoicing processes. Develop, maintain, and improve standard operating procedures to promote consistency, efficiency, and control compliance. Support automation and system improvements. Identify recurring issues and recommend corrective actions. Promote consistent adherence to established accounting policies and procedures. Cross-Functional Responsibilities: Serve as the primary finance contact for assigned customer accounts and collaborate with Sales and Customer Service to improve collections, deduction resolution, and customer account accuracy. Communicate effectively with internal and external customers Research issues and coordinate appropriate resolutions. Escalate complex or unresolved issues in a timely manner. Support internal controls and company accounting policies. Required Qualifications: Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field preferred. 2+ years of experience in accounts receivable, deductions management, billing, trade allowances, or related accounting functions. Strong understanding of accounting principles. Strong Excel skills and ability to perform reconciliations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience with high-volume AR environments with history of collection success. Experience with rebates, allowances, deductions, or customer programs. Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar ERP systems. Experience with account reconciliations and month-end close. Experience identifying and implementing process improvements. Why Join Us Golden State Foods (GSF) is one of the largest diversified suppliers in the food industry, manufacturing a range of products including sauces, dressings, condiments, syrups, and toppings for leading restaurant and retail brands.Join GSF and grow your career with a global food industry leader who: People First: At Golden State Foods, we're not just a company; we're a dynamic community where your talents are celebrated, and your ambitions are nurtured. Values Driven: Our core values drive everything we do, creating a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. But we're not content with just being great; we strive for greatness in every aspect of our work. People Development: At GSF we strive to continually develop our people to prepare us all for the needs of tomorrow. Philanthropy & Sustainability: We're committed to making a difference beyond our walls through philanthropy and sustainability efforts across all our locations around the globe. Extensive Benefits: Golden State Foods believes in a holistic approach to wellness focusing on the whole person with benefits that support those needs. Equal Opportunity Employer: We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our company values diverse perspectives and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where every person is supported and empowered to thrive.