Golden State Communications is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Accounting Specialist I to join our Accounting team. This position is responsible for customer invoicing, accounts receivable management, sales tax administration, collections, account reconciliations, and supporting accounting operations. The Accounting Specialist I is expected to independently manage day-to-day accounts receivable activities, resolve routine customer account issues, and escalated complex matters to accounting management as needed. The ideal candidate has solid accounting knowledge, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering outstanding customer service.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Customer Billing & Accounts Receivable
- Process customer invoices from sales orders accurately and timely.
- Generate rental event invoices and ensure customer billing is completed according to contractual terms.
- Email invoices and supporting documentation to customers.
- Process customer credit card payments for accounts with credit card payment terms.
- Respond to customer payment inquiries and assist customers using the Company's electronic payment platform (EBiz).
- Process customer returns, credit memos, and billing adjustments.
- Research and resolve customer billing discrepancies and account issues in a timely manner.
- Review customer accounts for billing accuracy and identify discrepancies as needed.
Accounts Receivable Collections
- ndependently manage collection activities to ensure timely customer payments and maintain healthy accounts receivable aging.
- Contact customers by phone and email regarding outstanding invoices and past-due balances.
- Apply customer payments accurately and timely within the Company's ERP system.
- Research payment discrepancies and work with customers to resolve unapplied payments, short payments, deductions, and other account issues.
- Reconcile customer accounts and prepare detailed account analyses as needed.
- Maintain accurate customer account records and document collection activities.
- Escalate high-risk accounts and collection concerns to Accounting management as appropriate.
- Recommend credit holds, payment plans, or other corrective actions to reduce collection risk.
- Partner with Sales, Operations, and Customer Service teams to resolve disputes impacting collections.
- Upload, maintain, and audit customer resale and exemption certificates.
- Coordinate with customers to obtain complete exemption documentation and ensure compliance.
- Respond to internal and external questions regarding sales tax exemptions and certificates.
- Assist with sales tax return preparation, reporting, and compliance activities.
- Support sales tax audits and requests from regulatory agencies as needed.
Reporting & Operational Support
- Prepare monthly inventory reports for the Empower Rewards program.
- Maintain Empower Rewards sell-out reporting.
- Assist with TLK WAVE monthly, quarterly, and event-related audit activities.
- Prepare accounts receivable aging reports and other departmental performance metrics.
- Assist with identifying opportunities for process improvements.
- Support month-end closing activities, account reconciliations, and special accounting projects.
- Perform other accounting and administrative duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
- Two to four years of accounting, billing, accounts receivable, collections, or customer accounting experience required.
- Experience with an ERP system; NetSuite experience is preferred.
- Experience with Avalara or other sales tax software preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
- Proven commitment to providing exceptional internal and external customer service.
Preferred Skills
- Advanced customer invoicing and billing
- Accounts receivable management and collections
- Cash application and account reconciliation
- Sales tax administration and compliance
- ERP systems (NetSuite preferred)
- Financial reporting and data analysis
- Process improvement and workflow optimization
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Analytical problem-solving
- Collaborative and supportive team environment.
- Opportunity to play a key role in accounts receivable and accounting operations.
- Exposure to accounting, operations, customer service, and sales tax compliance.
- Ability to contribute to process improvements and operational efficiencies.
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the Accounting department.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.