Accounts Receivable Claims and Deductions Specialist

Central Garden & Pet; Bingham Farms (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a detail-oriented Accounts Receivable Claims and Deductions Specialist to join its dynamic team in Bingham Farms, MI. This role is crucial in resolving deduction issues and ensuring timely customer payments. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, metric-driven environment, showcasing strong analytical and problem-solving skills. With a focus on collaboration, you'll work across departments to validate claims and enhance operational efficiency. Join a company dedicated to nurturing happy homes and communities, where your contributions will make a meaningful impact on the future of the pet and garden industries.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k

Paid vacation

Employee Assistance Program

Education Assistance

Health Savings Account

Discounts on various services

Access to online courses

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of high-volume Accounts Receivable and deduction resolution experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Outlook.
• Basic accounting knowledge including credits/debits.

Responsibilities

• Verify invoicing discrepancies by researching customer claims.
• Dispute invalid deductions and follow up with customers.
• Provide updates to management on account portfolio status.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication (verbal and written)

Detail-oriented

Organizational skills

Time management

Adaptability

Integrity

Education

1-3 years of Accounts Receivable experience

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Basic accounting knowledge

ERP experience

Consumer Products experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Description

INTRODUCTION

We are seeking an Accounts Receivable Claims and Deductions Specialist to work in our Corporate office, located in Bingham Farms, MI. Looking for a high energy, metric driven candidate to fill a key role within the Accounts Receivable team to ensure that the customers' receivables are kept current by working accounts to resolve deduction issues and assist with possible billing and payment issues as needed. This position is primarily responsible for the deduction resolution and processing of credit memos to customer accounts in a fast paced, goal oriented and metric driven department.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Verifies the validity of invoicing discrepancies by means of researching customer claims by working with various departments within the company and directly with the customers.
• Obtaining customer documentation from multiple potential sources (email, phone, portals, postal mail)
• Researching claims by pulling shipping documents, liaising with multiple other departments, internally and externally, to include, but not limited to, customers, warehouses, sales, marketing, pricing, etc. for additional details/clarification when needed
• Adhere to documented complex matrix dependent on brand and reason for claim to obtain necessary validations and/or approvals to process a credit memo to resolve the invoicing discrepancy
• Dispute invalid deductions to customers by multiple potential avenues (email, portals, etc.) and follow up with customers regularly to obtain either additional documentation to validate claim or obtain repayment on invalid deductions within defined department goals.
• Provide updates regularly and as needed to management team on status of account portfolio to include monthly aging meetings with detailed status on all past due line items on your customer base
• Ensure claims are raised correctly for all deductions taken by customer to ensure accurate reporting for the business units.
• Review open claims weekly to ensure accuracy of claims for business unit, reason for claim, amount, etc.
• Navigate various customer portals and/or correspond by phone or email for invoice payment status (dependent on account base).
• Maintain weekly checklists for all tasks and ensure their completion, letting management know of any exceptions.
• Collaborate with Operations and provide training and guidance in managing and navigating customer compliance errors.
• Address inquiries within the 24-hour service level agreement.
• Provide support as needed for internal and external audit requirements.
• Attend and participate in monthly team meetings, monthly one on one meetings, and quarterly department meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Analytical, sound problem solver, detail oriented, organized, strong communicator (verbal and written), strong sense of urgency
• Accountable and reliable
• Results driven and internally motivated to succeed
• Basic understanding of internal controls including SOX requirements
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities
• Self-starter, ability to work independently and within a team environment
• Experience in shared service environment
• Possess process improvement mindset with a desire to consistently look for ways to improve efficiency and service
• Other - candidate should have the highest integrity and character and possess finance experience and business sense. Must be able to follow processes and collaborate cross-functionally

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• 1-3 years of high-volume Accounts Receivable and deduction resolution experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office experience (primarily Excel and Outlook)
• Basic accounting knowledge (credits/debits, general ledger, profit centers/cost centers, etc.)
• ERP experience
• Consumer Products experience is a must

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Corporate office environment with frequent use of phone and PC

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• 401k
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT), (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2024 net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company's innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro, Aqueon, Cadet, C&S, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Four Paws, Kaytee, Nylabone and Pennington, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with 6,450 employees primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.