Accounts Receivable Specialist

Petmate; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet supply company in Arlington, TX, is seeking an experienced collections specialist to manage past-due accounts and improve customer payment processes. This onsite role involves contacting customers, resolving payment discrepancies, and maintaining accurate records. The ideal candidate will have a BBA in Accounting/Finance or equivalent experience along with strong negotiation and problem-solving skills. They will thrive in maintaining customer relationships while ensuring timely collections and accurate financial reporting.

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in cash applications or credit/collections dispute resolution is preferred.
• Strong communication skills with effective negotiation abilities.
• Detail-oriented with high accuracy in data entry and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Contact customers for outstanding payments and ensure compliance with contractual terms.
• Investigate and resolve payment discrepancies with internal teams.
• Prepare regular reports on collection activities and account statuses.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Negotiation skills

Education

BBA in Accounting/Finance or equivalent

Tools

Oracle EBS

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Petmate

Petmate is a global leader in pet supply products. Some of our most beloved brands include Petmate®, Chuckit!®, Quirky Kitty®, Vittles Vault®, Wild Eats® and Arm & Hammer®.

Over 60 years ago, Petmate began with a single focus on providing safe pet transportation, which resulted in the creation of the first dog kennel. Flash forward to today, and the same love and bond that existed to provide safe travels for our pets now permeates through every step of pet and pet owners’ shared adventure.

Knowing that pets are every bit as much a part of the family, Petmate takes pride in developing new, superior products that improve the quality of life and enrich the bond created between people & their pets. From environmentally responsible manufacturing to rigorous product testing, we place safety at the core of what we make and how we make it.

Our trusted brands continually drive innovation across pet categories, spanning dog and cat toys, feeding and watering, food storage, carriers, shelters, treats & chews, bedding and more.

OUR WHY

To enrich the lives of families by cultivating the bond between people & their pets

OUR VISION

Families everywhere trust us more than any other company to enhance the well‑being of their pets at every step of their adventure

Petmate Core Values

OWN IT! We take full responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their outcomes

STEADFAST DETERMINATION Steady pursuit of what’s next with unwavering commitment and enthusiasm

DO THE RIGHT THING Consistent alignment of actions and values in every situation, ensuring you’re always true to what’s right

SAFETY WITHOUT COMPROMISE We prioritize the safety of employees, consumers, and pets without compromise

Role Summary

This role will monitor, reconcile and collect past‑due and short‑paid balances. Identify root‑cause analysis on customer payment trends, deductions, and overpayments. Forecast customer payment receipts and contractual allowance deductions.

This will be an onsite position at our corporate office in Arlington, TX

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Contact customers via phone, email, or other communication channels to collect outstanding payments and to ensure customer payments and deductions align with contractual terms.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records of customer interactions, payment status, and collection activities.
• Investigate and resolve payment discrepancies or issues by working closely with internal teams, such as Sales, Customer Service, Operations, and Finance.
• Provide excellent customer service and build strong relationships with customers to facilitate timely payment and resolve disputes amicably and professionally.
• Review and analyze customer accounts to identify delinquent payments and develop collection strategies.
• Follow established collection and record retention policies and procedures while adhering to legal and regulatory requirements.
• Negotiate payment arrangements and create repayment plans to help customers fulfill their payment obligations.
• Escalate collection issues to senior management when necessary.
• Prepare and send regular reports on collection activities, payment status, and accounts receivable aging to management.
• Review residual account balances after payments are applied and recommend necessary adjustments, including misapplied payments, overpayment notifications, refund requests, small balance write‑offs, reconciliations, processing credits, etc.
• Review, process, and release credit holds and resolve discrepancies per company credit policies within stated deadlines.
• Maintain an organized and efficient system of follow‑up and action plans for past‑due accounts.
• Cycle past‑due accounts every 7 days or less to ensure timeliness of collections.
• Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and regulations related to collections and implement necessary changes to improve collection processes.
• Support banking and internal auditors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Preferred BBA in Accounting/Finance or 5 years’ experience in cash applications, credit/collections dispute resolution and either combination of education and experience or equivalent certification, e.g., NACM – CBA.
• Oracle EBS preferred but not required.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of general accounting principles.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively negotiate, persuade, and handle difficult conversations.
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills to identify and resolve payment discrepancies.
• Detail‑oriented with a high level of accuracy in data entry and record‑keeping.
• Highly organized, with the ability to effectively handle multiple, concurrent projects requiring judgment and initiative.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with customers.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, work independently with minimal supervision, and in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive customer information with professionalism and integrity.

Petmate is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status