Accounting Clerk - Accounts Receivable in Elgin, Illinois at Ebco Inc

Accounting Clerk - Accounts Receivable

We are looking for an Accounting Clerk to support our accounts receivable function, with primary responsibility for cash application, collections, account reconciliation, customer invoicing, and data entry. The ideal candidate will take ownership of past-due balances, investigate why invoices remain unpaid, and work with customers and internal teams to resolve the root cause.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor accounts receivable aging and proactively contact customers by phone and email regarding past-due invoices.
• Accurately apply checks, ACH payments, and wire transfers; research unapplied cash, misapplications, short payments, overpayments, deductions, and credits.
• Investigate the root causes of unpaid invoices, including billing errors, missing documentation, pricing or purchase-order discrepancies, credits, and customer approval delays.
• Work with customers and internal departments to resolve billing disputes, correct errors, and remove obstacles to payment.
• Create and distribute accurate customer invoices, credit memos, statements, and supporting documentation.
• Reconcile customer accounts to ensure invoices, payments, credits, and adjustments are recorded accurately.
• Document collection activity, customer commitments, disputes, root causes, and next steps; escalate high-risk or unresolved accounts promptly.
• Identify recurring billing or payment issues, recommend process improvements, and assist with reporting, month-end close, recordkeeping, and other administrative needs.

Skills/Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of proven accounts receivable experience, including collections, cash application, account reconciliation, and resolution of customer payment issues.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to research and resolve account discrepancies, including short payments, credits, misapplied payments, incorrect invoices, and billing disputes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience with an ERP or accounting system required; SAP Business One experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, follow-through, and written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively with customers and internal teams.