Accounts Receivable Associate

Fairbanks Morse Defense; Beloit (WI); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Fairbanks Morse Defense is seeking an Accounts Receivable Associate to join our growing Finance team. This role handles invoicing, cash application, collections, and reporting to support cash flow for defense programs.

The ideal candidate has 1–3 years AR experience, experience in a manufacturing environment, and strong Excel and ERP skills. Onsite training with potential hybrid work await the right candidate.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of Accounts Receivable experience.
• Manufacturing environment experience preferred.
• Strong Excel, ERP and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Invoicing and billing processing and verification.
• Process payments via checks, ACH, credit cards; ensure accurate cash applications.
• Monitor collections and follow up on overdue accounts.
• Prepare accounting reconciliations and assist with month-end close.

Skills

Excel

Communication

Detail-oriented

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

IPP

WAWF

Taulia

Oracle

Exostar

Job description

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers

Accounts Receivable Associate

Join a Mission-Driven Finance Team Supporting Critical Defense Programs

Fairbanks Morse Defense is seeking an Accounts Receivable Associate to join our growing Finance team. This role plays an important part in supporting the financial operations of a company that provides mission‑critical products and services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other defense programs.

As Fairbanks Morse Defense continues to grow through strategic acquisitions, this position will support the continued development of our Shared Services organization by ensuring accurate invoicing, timely cash application, effective collections, and strong customer account management.

The ideal candidate is an experienced Accounts Receivable professional with a background in a manufacturing environment, strong Excel capabilities, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a commitment to accuracy, collaboration, and integrity.

This role requires someone who understands the importance of the order‑to‑cash process and how accurate financial operations directly support the success of the business.

Work Flexibility & Hybrid Opportunity

Potential Hybrid Opportunity Available

Fairbanks Morse Defense values flexibility while maintaining the collaboration and teamwork needed to support our growing Finance organization.

This position will begin with fully onsite training to ensure the successful candidate develops a strong understanding of our systems, processes, customers, and internal partnerships.

Once the individual demonstrates proficiency, independence, strong performance, and the ability to successfully manage responsibilities, there is potential for a hybrid work arrangement based on business needs and leadership approval.

This opportunity is ideal for an Accounts Receivable professional who enjoys being part of a collaborative team while also having the ability to work independently and manage responsibilities with accountability.

Schedule

Typical Hours:

Monday – Friday

Flexible scheduling options may be available:

• 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• or
• 7:00 AM start time may be considered

Final schedule will be determined based on business needs.

Position Summary

The Accounts Receivable Associate is responsible for the timely and accurate processing of customer invoices, payment applications, collections activities, account reconciliations, and financial reporting support.

This role plays a critical part in maintaining healthy cash flow, ensuring accurate financial records, supporting internal controls, and partnering with internal teams and customers to resolve account‑related issues.

The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail‑oriented, and comfortable balancing multiple priorities while maintaining professionalism and accuracy.

This position requires strong communication skills, the ability to build effective business relationships, and the confidence to manage collection activities in a professional and respectful manner.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Invoicing & Billing

• Generate, review, verify, and distribute accurate customer invoices in a timely manner.
• Process invoices through various customer portals, including but not limited to:
• IPP
• WAWF
• Taulia
• Oracle
• Exostar
• Review invoices for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with customer requirements.
• Validate:
• Purchase order information
• Research invoice discrepancies and partner with internal teams to resolve issues.

Payment Processing & Cash Application

• Record and apply customer payments received through:
• Checks
• ACH
• Credit cards
• Process credit card transactions for Fairbanks Morse Defense and affiliated business units.
• Ensure payments are accurately applied and recorded in a timely manner.
• Research and resolve payment discrepancies.
• Support accurate cash reporting and customer account records.

Accounts Receivable Collections

• Monitor Accounts Receivable aging reports.
• Follow up on overdue balances through professional written and verbal communication.
• Maintain strong customer relationships while effectively managing collection activities.
• Communicate with customer Accounts Payable departments regarding:
• Outstanding balances
• Resolve past‑due accounts while representing Fairbanks Morse Defense professionally.

The successful candidate understands that collections are a business process and requires professionalism, diplomacy, negotiation skills, and strong relationship management.

• Investigate short payments, discrepancies, and customer disputes.
• Reconcile payments and credit memos against the general ledger.
• Process write‑offs when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate customer account information.
• Assist with month‑end close activities and financial reporting requirements.

Excel & Reporting Responsibilities

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong, proven Excel skills and be comfortable using Excel as a daily business tool.

Required Excel experience includes:

• Creating and maintaining spreadsheets
• VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP functions
• Data analysis and organization
• Identifying trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement

Candidates should be able to provide examples of how they have used Excel to improve reporting accuracy, efficiency, or decision‑making.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

This position partners closely with internal teams, including:

• Service Administration
• Parts
• Logistics
• Operations
• Finance

Responsibilities include:

• Clarifying billing requirements
• Supporting customer account inquiries
• Communicating updates clearly and professionally

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. The successful candidate must be comfortable communicating with both internal stakeholders and external customer Accounts Payable teams.

Qualifications and Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• 1–3 years of Accounts Receivable experience required
• Previous experience working in a manufacturing environment required
• Experience supporting Accounts Receivable functions within a manufacturing, industrial, defense, aerospace, or similar environment
• Strong understanding of:
• Cash application
• Collections
• Customer account management
• Purchase order and billing processes

The successful candidate must understand how operational processes, customer requirements, shipments, invoicing, and financial accuracy connect throughout the order‑to‑cash process.

Technical Skills Required:

• Proven proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including:
• Spreadsheet creation
• Reporting and data analysis
• Experience working with ERP systems
• Outlook
• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint

Preferred Experience:

• Experience supporting a manufacturing or distribution organization
• Experience working with:
• Purchase orders
• Complex invoice processes
• Experience with:
• WAWF
• IPP
• Other customer billing portals

Export Control Requirements

This position includes access or potential access to export‑controlled data. Therefore, candidates must qualify as a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, or political asylee in compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Acceptable proof of status includes:

• U.S. Passport
• Permanent Resident Card
• U.S. Birth Certificate

Maintenance, including renewal, of licensing authorization is a condition of employment. Government authorization may be considered as a suitable alternative on a case‑by‑case basis.

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required for positions assigned this title and shall not be construed as declaring the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. The ability to competently perform all essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation, a demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team are basic requirements of all positions at Fairbanks Morse Defense.

Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and 401k retirement plan with employer match. In addition, we offer paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled