Manager, Accounts Receivable & Accounts Payable

Beauty by Imagination (BBI); Commack (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Beauty by Imagination is seeking a Manager of Accounts Receivable & Accounts Payable to lead AR and AP operations and support cash management. The role reports to the VP of Accounting and drives aging analyses, vendor payments, and reconciliations while continuously improving processes and team capabilities.

The successful candidate will manage collections, credit reviews, and cross-functional partnerships to optimize cash flow and operating efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive finance or accounting experience, including AR/AP, credit, collections, or cash operations.
• Experience managing and developing a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong Excel, analytical, reconciliation, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with internal/external relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day AR and AP operations and cash management efforts.
• Oversee vendor payments, aging analyses, and reconciliations.
• Develop and coach AR and AP teams; set responsibilities and performance goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Customer Service, Finance, and Accounting.

Skills

Excel

Analytical skills

Reconciliations

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Team leadership

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

AR/AP automation

Payment workflows

Customer portals

Job description

Beauty by Imagination is a global haircare company dedicated to boosting self-confidence with imaginative solutions for every hair moment. We are a platform company of diverse, market-leading brands, including Wet Brush, Goody, Bio Ionic, and Ouidad — all of which are driven to be the most trusted choice for happy, healthy hair. Our talented team is passionate about delivering high-performing products for consumers and salon professionals alike.

Position Overview

The Manager, Accounts Receivable & Accounts Payable leads the company’s AR and AP operations and supports effective cash management. Reporting to the Vice President, Accounting, this role oversees customer collections, deductions, credit reviews, vendor payments, aging analyses, reconciliations, cash reporting, and the development of the AR and AP teams. The Manager is responsible for maintaining accurate, timely, and well-controlled processes while identifying opportunities to improve cash flow, service, and operating efficiency.

Accounts Payable Management

• Oversee day-to-day Accounts Payable activities and provide guidance on escalated vendor, invoice, and payment issues.
• Review the weekly payment suggestion file and ensure approved vendors are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintain effective processes for the AP mailbox, new vendor setup, invoice workflow, payment approvals, and vendor master data.
• Lead improvements to AP processes, controls, automation, and reporting, including the use of available AI and workflow tools.

Accounts Receivable, Credit & Collections

• Oversee customer collections and follow-up on past-due accounts to improve cash flow and reduce aging exposure.
• Review customer credit history for new account setup and evaluate requests for credit limit changes.
• Monitor deductions and chargebacks, ensure timely follow-up on aging balances, and oversee disputes through customer portals.
• Escalate or place seriously delinquent accounts with collections agencies when appropriate and support the VP, Accounting in managing the credit insurer relationship.

Cash, Aging & Reconciliations

• Own weekly and monthly AR and AP aging analyses, reconciliations, and issue resolution.
• Support daily cash operations, cash reporting, and monthly cash flow forecasting.
• Monitor payment timing, collections performance, outstanding deductions, vendor balances, and other working-capital drivers.
• Provide accurate schedules, trend analysis, and commentary to Accounting and Finance leadership.

Team Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead, train, coach, and develop the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable teams.
• Set clear responsibilities, service expectations, operating routines, performance goals, and accountability.
• Participate in performance evaluations and support career development, cross-training, and succession readiness.
• Identify and implement improvements that strengthen controls, standardize procedures, increase efficiency, and improve internal and external service.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Special Projects

• Maintain timely communication with internal partners, customers, and vendors to resolve escalated discrepancies and payment or collection issues.
• Partner with Sales, Customer Service, Finance, and Accounting on customer deductions, chargebacks, disputes, credit risk, and collections.
• Support special projects, ad hoc analysis, system enhancements, and finance process improvement initiatives.
• Prepare information and participate in management discussions related to cash, aging, credit, collections, vendor payments, and operational risks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive finance or accounting experience, including experience in Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, credit, collections, or cash operations.
• Experience managing and developing a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong Excel, analytical, reconciliation, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to manage internal and external relationships.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines, and maintain a high standard of accuracy and follow-through.
• Working knowledge of customer deductions, chargebacks, disputes, collections, vendor payments, and aging analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in consumer-packaged goods, beauty, retail, e-commerce, or another product-based industry.
• Experience supporting large retail customers such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Ulta.
• Experience with customer portals, credit insurance, collection agencies, ERP systems, payment workflows, or AR/AP automation.
• Experience improving cash application, collections, deduction management, vendor setup, invoice processing, or payment controls.

Key Outcomes for Success

• Cash flow performance: Improved collection timing, disciplined payment management, and clear visibility into working-capital drivers.
• Aging health: Accurate AR and AP aging schedules with timely follow-up and resolution of past-due or disputed balances.
• Transaction quality: Accurate, timely, and controlled customer and vendor transactions.
• Process efficiency: Scalable AR and AP procedures, automation, controls, and reporting that reduce errors and delays.
• Team effectiveness: Well-trained AR and AP teams with clear responsibilities, strong service, and accountable execution.

Leadership Profile

• Hands-on operations leader: Stays close to daily AR, AP, cash, credit, and collection activities while improving the overall function.
• Working-capital steward: Understands how collections, deductions, vendor payments, and aging affect cash flow.
• Control-minded problem solver: Uses disciplined reconciliation, escalation, and follow-through to resolve issues.
• Service-oriented partner: Builds productive relationships with customers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Team developer: Trains employees, clarifies expectations, and strengthens capability across AR and AP.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This role is primarily office-based and requires regular use of a computer, phone, and standard office equipment. Limited travel may be required for business meetings, audits, inventory reviews, or company events. BBI will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law.