Administrator I - Cash Applications

Westlake Chemical; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical is seeking an Accounts Receivable specialist to record payments, maintain AR records, and ensure accurate cash application in a dynamic environment.

You will post daily receipts in SAP S/4HANA and JDE, match payments to invoices, and collaborate with Credit and Customer Service to resolve discrepancies. This on-site role supports month-end close in Houston.

Strong attention to detail and ability to work in fast-paced settings are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years' Accounts Receivable experience minimum.
• Experience in high-volume, fast-paced AR environments.
• Strong accuracy and efficiency with continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with teammates and customers.
• Willingness to work overtime during accounting cycles.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and distribute daily bank cash reports for lockbox and wire activity.
• Post daily cash receipts to customer accounts in SAP S/4HANA and JDE.
• Release customer billing and mail invoices as requested.
• Identify and match incoming payments to accounts by remittance details.
• Support credit and customer service to resolve payment discrepancies.
• Review AR aging to clear unapplied payments.
• Research and process customer payment history and inquiries.
• Handle charge backs, returns and NSF/stopped payments.
• Answer AR inquiries by phone and email.
• Assist intercompany cash postings and month-end close activities.
• Communicate with customers to clarify remittance details.
• Maintain AR policies compliance and DOA adherence.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Prioritization

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree preferred

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

JDE

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

Record payments to customer's accounts and maintains accounts receivable records by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and distribute bank daily cash reports for lockbox and wire reports. Prepare and distribute bank daily cash reports, including lockbox, ACH and WT activity, to support timely cash applications.
• Post daily cash receipts against open items in AR. Process and apply customer payments in SAP S/4HANA and JDE (lockbox, ACH, wire and manual payments).
• Release customer billing to accounting on a daily basis and mail invoice to customers, as requested.
• Identify and match incoming payments to customer accounts by researching invoice numbers, remittance details, and customer activity.
• Assist Customer Service and Credit in investigating and clearing customer accounts. Collaborate with Credit, Customer Service, and internal teams to resolve payment discrepancies and ensure accurate account reconciliation.
• Periodically review the export customer AR aging to clear unapplied payments against recently posted invoices. Investigate and resolve unapplied and misapplied cash, including short pays, overpayments, and deductions.
• Research and process customer's claims for invoice payments. Research customer payment history and provide support for inquiries related to cash application and account balances.
• Research and process charge backs, returns and bad checks. Research and process bank debits and returned payments, including insufficient fund (NSF) and stopped payments.
• Answer accounts receivable phone inquiries and follow up.
• Assist with intercompany cash postings and reconciliation as applicable.
• Support month-end close activities related to cash application, including clearing and reconciliation of accounts.
• Communicate with customers as necessary for inquiries or cash application issues. Communicate with customers as needed to obtain remittance details or clarify payment discrepancies.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with the AR policies and procedures and adhering to company DOA (delegation of authority). Maintain compliance with company policies, internal controls, and audit requirements.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school, preferred.
• 1-2 years' Accounts Receivable experience minimum.
• SAP/JDE experience a plus.
• Experience in high-volume, fast-paced Accounts Receivable environments in which daily performance expectations are assigned and measured.
• A strong concentration on accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• The ability to communicate and work effectively with teammates and internal/external customers.
• The ability to effectively prioritize workloads and maintain an organized workspace.
• The enthusiasm to actively exercise and advocate a positive, team-focused environment.
• A willingness to take ownership and responsibility for team objectives.
• The initiative to obtain a sufficient working knowledge of all department procedures and related software applications.
• The knowledge and experience necessary to serve as a primary point of contact for external Westlake company departments.
• The ability to reliably commit to consistent attendance during specified work hours.
• Overtime may be required in accordance with standard accounting cycle deadlines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.