Administrator I - Cash Applications

Westlake; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake in Houston is seeking an Accounts Receivable professional to manage cash postings, apply payments, and reconcile customer accounts. You will interact with Credit, Customer Service and other internal teams to resolve discrepancies and ensure accurate AR records.

The role requires 1-2 years in AR, comfort with high-volume processing, and attention to detail. Overtime may be required during close cycles; SAP/JDE experience is a plus.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Record payments to customer accounts and maintain AR records.
• Post daily cash receipts in SAP S/4HANA and JDE; apply payments.
• Release billing to accounting and mail invoices as needed.
• Identify and match payments to accounts using remittance details.
• Resolve payment discrepancies with Credit, CS, and internal teams.
• Review AR aging to clear unapplied payments and reconciling items.
• Research and process customer payment inquiries and chargebacks.
• Answer AR phone inquiries and support month-end cash close.

Skills

Accounts Receivable

SAP/JDE

Attention to detail

Communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree preferred

Tools

SAP/JDE

Job description

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.

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.

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