Credit and Collections Specialist

Appleton Finn; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Appleton Finn is seeking a proactive Credit & Collections / Senior Accounting Specialist in Libertyville, IL. The role combines customer credit management with hands-on accounting responsibilities, including month-end close, reconciliations and financial analysis.

The ideal candidate excels in Excel and communications, brings attention to detail, and is ready to broaden responsibilities across Finance in a hands-on environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in B2B credit, collections or AR and resolving complex customer issues.
• Solid accounting knowledge with journal entries, GL reconciliations and month-end close.
• Strong Excel skills including lookups, pivots and data reconciliation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with professional customer interactions.
• Organized, detail-oriented approach with ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience or familiarity with ERP systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage customer credit applications, references, limits, terms and approvals.
• Monitor AR ageing, follow up on overdue balances and track collections.
• Coordinate credit holds, releases, and cross-functional communication.
• Prepare monthly statements, reconcile accounts and investigate unapplied cash.
• Assist with month-end close, GL reconciliations and financial analysis.
• Support audits, internal controls, ERP reporting and Excel automation.

Skills

Credit management

Accounts receivable

Excel data analysis

Communication

Organized

Education

Accounting/finance degree

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Job description

Credit & Collections / Senior Accounting Specialist

Location: Libertyville / Round Lake Park, Illinois

Employment Type: Full-Time, Onsite

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a proactive, analytical Credit & Collections / Senior Accounting Specialist to join an established fragrance and flavor business serving customers across personal care, home care, candles and related markets.

This is a varied role offering the opportunity to take ownership of customer credit and collections while contributing to month-end close, account reconciliations, financial analysis and wider accounting projects.

The successful candidate will combine strong customer communication skills with sound accounting knowledge, excellent attention to detail and advanced Excel capabilities. It is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a hands-on role and wants to broaden their responsibilities across Finance.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Management & Accounts Receivable

• Manage the customer credit application and reference-check process, assess creditworthiness, recommend credit limits and terms, and obtain the necessary approvals.
• Monitor accounts receivable ageing and proactively follow up on overdue balances, securing payment commitments and maintaining clear records of collection activity.
• Coordinate credit holds and order releases, working closely with Customer Service, Sales and management.
• Prepare and distribute monthly customer statements, reconcile accounts and investigate unapplied cash, deductions, short payments and invoice disputes.
• Work directly with customers and internal teams to resolve account discrepancies and monitor approved payment plans.
• Prepare AR ageing reports, collection updates and expected cash receipt forecasts for Finance leadership.
• Identify accounts requiring escalation and assist with cash application research and time-sensitive customer queries.

Month-End Close & Accounting

• Prepare and post month-end journal entries, accruals and prepaid expense entries, supported by appropriate schedules.
• Maintain general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies promptly.
• Support monthly close processes, account analyses and financial reporting.
• Analyse account activity and variances against prior periods, budgets and forecasts, highlighting unusual movements and proposed corrections.
• Provide analytical support across areas including AR reserves, bad debt, sales and commission reporting, inventory and fixed assets.
• Assist with audit requests, documentation, internal controls and process improvements.
• Contribute to finance projects involving ERP reporting, data cleansing, intercompany reconciliations and Excel-based automation.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience in business-to-business credit, collections or accounts receivable, including resolving complex customer account issues.
• A solid understanding of accounting principles, with experience in journal entries, general ledger reconciliations and month-end close preferred.
• Strong Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables, reconciliations and analysis of large data sets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to manage customer conversations professionally.
• A highly organised, detail-oriented and proactive approach, with the ability to balance urgent customer queries and monthly reporting deadlines.
• An accounting or finance degree is preferred, although equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP would be an advantage.

A competitive, market-based salary and benefits package is available, commensurate with experience.