AGM- Accounts Receivable( AR Tower Lead- CA/CMA)

ZF; Chennai District; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

ZF, a global technology company, seeks Head of Accounts Receivable to lead AR across multiple entities and drive transformation. The role requires deep AR/O2C expertise in a multinational setup, strong SAP and Power BI skills, and a track record of building high-performance teams.

You will partner with Sales, Customer Service, and IT to standardize processes, improve cash flow, and implement automation. This is a senior leadership position based in India with global responsibilities.

Qualifications

• CA or CMA with relevant certifications; Credit Management a plus.
• 15-18 years in AR/O2C in SSC or MNC environments.
• Leadership with 10+ years in managing large teams.
• Strong ERP and reporting platform knowledge (SAP, Power BI).

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage AR processes across global entities.
• Define AR strategy aligned with business goals and global frameworks.
• Build, develop and mentor a high-performing AR team.
• Partner with Sales and Customer Service as a key finance partner.
• Oversee cash application, dispute management and collections.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and audit requirements.
• Define KPIs/SLAs and drive continuous improvement and automation.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven decisions

Process optimization

Conflict resolution

Education

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Cost Accountant (CMA)

Credit Management certification

Tools

SAP

Power BI

AR tools

Job description

Role & responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and manage all AR processes (Cash Application, Dispute Management, Collections) across global entities or business units.
• Define the AR operational strategy aligned with business goals and global process frameworks.
• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing AR team; foster a collaborative and performance-driven culture.
• Act as a key finance partner for internal business units, Sales, and Customer Service teams.

Cash Application

• Ensure timely and accurate application of incoming payments to customer accounts.
• Monitor unapplied/unallocated cash and drive resolution with internal/external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with banks, treasury, and customer service teams to streamline receipt processing.

Dispute & Deduction Management

• Oversee root cause analysis and resolution of payment disputes, short payments, and deductions.
• Coordinate with sales, customer service, and logistics teams to reduce dispute aging and recurrence.
• Implement standardized workflows and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Collections Management

• Drive timely collection of receivables while maintaining positive customer relationships.
• Ensure adherence to defined collection strategies, follow-ups, and escalation policies.
• Monitor overdue receivables and improve Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) performance.

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure all AR processes comply with internal controls (ICS), company policies, and audit requirements.
• Maintain documentation and audit trails for all AR activities.
• Collaborate with auditors during internal/external audits, providing necessary data and explanations.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Define and track KPIs/SLAs for AR operations including cash application accuracy, DSO, dispute resolution turnaround, and collection effectiveness.
• Analyze AR aging, customer risk, and cash flow forecasts.
• Drive continuous improvement and process automation through Lean, Six Sigma, or digital tools (e.g., RPA, AI-based collections).

Transformation & Projects

• Support ERP migrations, process transitions, and integration of new businesses.
• Partner with GPOs and IT teams to drive AR process standardization and system enhancements.
• Lead or support global initiatives on AR digital transformation and analytics.

Your profile as Head – Accounts Receivable:

• Chartered Accountant (CA) or Cost Accountant (CMA) with additional certifications like Credit Management or Lean Six Sigma considered a plus.
• 15-18 years in Accounts Receivable (AR) and Order-to-Cash (O2C) processes within Shared Services or multinational environments, including 10+ years in leadership roles managing large teams.
• Strong command of SAP or similar ERP systems, AR tools, and reporting platforms such as Power BI.
• Deep expertise in Accounts Receivable operations, including Trade Receivables Schedule preparation for internal and external audits (India entities), Subledger (SL) vs General Ledger (GL) reconciliation and timely issue resolution, Expected Credit Loss (ECL) and Bad Debt provisioning, and ensuring strong internal control compliance across AR processes.
• Extensive experience in managing compliance requirements such as EDPMS, IRM, and eBRC closures through effective coordination with banking partners and tax teams.
• Proficient in revenue recognition and month-end accounting activities for India entities, collaborating closely with Controlling, Logistics, and Sales teams to ensure compliance with accounting standards and business requirements.
• working capital management, and process optimization through automation and standardization.
• Proven ability in stakeholder engagement, customer orientation, conflict resolution, and effective communication.
• Data-driven decision-maker with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, matrixed, and multicultural settings.