Cash Applications Specialist/ Collections

Cash Applications Specialist / Collections (Accounts Receivable Analyst)

This Accounts Receivable Analyst role focuses on supporting the daily operations of the Cash Application and Collections department in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. You will take ownership of cash flow through daily reconciliation of lockbox payments and proactive collections activities, while contributing to continuous improvement of processes and customer service quality.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage assigned customer accounts within the Cash Application and Collections functions.
• Perform daily reconciliation of lockbox payments to ensure accurate and timely cash application.
• Conduct daily collections activities to reduce outstanding past-due balances to or below established targets for contractual accounts.
• Proactively review outstanding balances to identify potential issues and opportunities for resolution.
• Identify risk accounts early and take appropriate action to minimize exposure to bad debt.
• Investigate root causes for non-payment and remittance issues that result in unapplied payments.
• Compile and implement recommendations to improve Accounts Receivable performance, including reduction of past-due balances and remittance issues.
• Collaborate with Field and Central teams to determine root causes of past-due invoices and develop action plans to eliminate these issues.
• Adopt and support new business processes that promote automation and reduce operational complexity.
• Maintain a strong commitment to continuous improvement and enhance the quality of service provided to customers.
• Report results, trends, and key metrics to department leadership and Shared Services stakeholders.
• Handle a significant volume of phone communication with customers and internal partners in a professional and effective manner.
• Participate in cross-training within both cash application and collections, starting in a primary focus area and expanding responsibilities over time.

Essential Skills

• Experience in accounts receivable, with openness to entry-level candidates or those with at least 12 years of AR experience.
• Working knowledge of accounts receivable and accounts payable processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the use of pivot tables for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong skills in cash application, reconciliation, and handling high volumes of transactional data.
• Demonstrated ability to perform collections activities and reduce past-due balances.
• Comfort working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to spend a substantial portion of the day on the phone with customers and internal teams.
• Ability to investigate and resolve payment and remittance issues, including unapplied payments.
• Capability to identify and assess risk accounts and take action to minimize potential bad debt.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in distribution environments is helpful and considered a plus.
• Hands-on experience with SAP is ideal; familiarity with any other ERP system is also valuable.
• Interest in and aptitude for continuous improvement and process optimization.
• Willingness to adopt new business processes that promote automation and reduce complexity.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Field and Central teams and Shared Services stakeholders.
• Openness to cross-training and developing skills in both cash application and collections.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to compile data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite, working Monday through Friday in a high-volume, fast-paced office environment. You will work closely with both central and field teams, using tools such as Microsoft Excel, SAP or other ERP systems, and lockbox processing platforms to manage cash applications and collections activities. The workplace provides convenient access without the need to pay for parking. The environment emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional communication, with regular phone-based interaction with customers and internal stakeholders.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Cleveland, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $22.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cleveland, OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.