Accounts Receivable Specialist

The Watkins Company; Winona (MN); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

AD&D Insurance

100% employer paid leave

Hybrid work model

PTO

10 holidays

401k match

Job summary

The Watkins Company is seeking an Accounts Receivable Specialist to manage customer AR, credits, collections, and cash applications. The role emphasizes accuracy, organization, and professional communication with internal teams and customers.

Hybrid work environment with a focus on timely collections, accurate recordkeeping, and collaboration across Sales, Accounting, and Customer Service. 100% employer paid leave and a range of benefits accompany this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree not required; an Associate's degree in Accounting or related field is needed.
• Minimum six months of relevant accounting or financial experience, preferably AR.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Outlook.
• Strong attention to detail with high accuracy in financial transactions and recordkeeping.

Responsibilities

• Administer company credit policies, including processing credit applications and checks.
• Monitor AR aging, identify past-due balances, and follow up with customers for collections.
• Investigate and resolve customer deductions, chargebacks, and payment discrepancies with Sales and Customer Service.
• Process and apply customer payments (checks, electronic payments, etc.).
• Maintain accurate AR records, documentation, and customer data.
• Communicate professionally with customers about balances, arrangements, and inquiries.
• Track and report AR metrics such as aging trends and collections performance.
• Assist with month-end closing and reconciliations as assigned.
• Identify opportunities to improve AR processes for accuracy and efficiency.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Time management

Written and verbal communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Associate's degree in Accounting

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Position SummaryThe Accounts Receivable Specialist is responsible for managing customer accounts receivable, administering credit and collection activities, processing cash receipts, and resolving customer deductions. This position plays a key role in maintaining accurate financial records, minimizing past-due balances, and supporting positive customer relationships. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and able to communicate effectively with both internal teams and external customers.Key ResponsibilitiesAdminister company credit policies, including processing credit applications, performing credit checks, establishing credit limits, and maintaining customer account information.Monitor and analyze accounts receivable aging reports, identify past-due balances, and proactively follow up with customers to ensure timely collections.Investigate and resolve customer deductions, retail chargebacks, promotional allowances, and payment discrepancies in collaboration with Sales, Accounting, and Customer Service teams.Process and accurately apply customer payments, including checks, electronic payments, and other cash receipts.Maintain accurate accounts receivable records, supporting documentation, and customer account information.Communicate professionally with customers regarding outstanding balances, payment arrangements, account discrepancies, and credit-related inquiries.Track and report key accounts receivable metrics, including aging trends, collection performance, and credit activity.Assist with month-end closing activities, account reconciliations, and other accounting responsibilities as assigned.Identify opportunities to improve accounts receivable processes, accuracy, and efficiency.In addition to working in a strategic, dynamic and collaborative work environment, with a tight knit team, The Watkins Company offers a competitive benefits package including best in class Medical, Dental, Life and AD&D Insurance, 100% employer paid leave, as well as a flexible working environment, hybrid scheduling for remote and in office work, generous PTO package available upon hire, 10 fully paid holidays, and $1 for $1 401k match program.The Watkins Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #LI-HybridRequired:Associate's degree in Accounting or a related field.Minimum of six months of relevant accounting or financial experience, preferably in accounts receivable.Intermediate or higher proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Outlook.Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy in financial transactions and recordkeeping.Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to professionally address customer payment issues.Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.Preferred:Previous experience with accounts receivable, credit administration, collections, or cash application.Experience working with accounting software or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.Familiarity with Vertex sales tax software.Experience resolving retail customer deductions, chargebacks, and promotional allowances.Experience in a manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, or distribution environment.