Payments Analyst

Clark Associates; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Clark Associates is seeking a Payments Analyst to ensure accurate application of customer payments and timely cash reconciliation. You will work with Collections, Treasury, and Account teams to resolve unapplied cash and variances, driving process improvements and scalable workflows.

This role emphasizes automation, accuracy, and customer-focused problem solving to support growth and smooth financial operations across the company.

Qualifications

• Cash Application Management: timely and accurate processing of payments.
• Variance Resolution: resolve payment variances with customers and colleagues.
• Process Improvement and Automation: identify bottlenecks and streamline payment workflows.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: liaison between AR, Account Management, and Account Support teams.
• Reporting Tools: develop tracking and reporting systems to measure performance.
• Audit and Compliance: ensure compliance with policies and internal controls.
• General Ledger: work with accounting and treasury for accurate reporting.

Responsibilities

• Cash Application Management: Responsible for timely and accurate processing of payments; oversee cash application initiatives.
• Variance Resolution: Oversee and resolve payment variances with customers and internal teams.
• Customer Experience Enhancement: ensure payment interactions are professional and efficient.
• Process Improvement and Optimization: identify bottlenecks and automate payment workflows.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: liaison between AR, Account Management, and Account Support teams.
• Reporting Tools: develop tracking and reporting to measure operations performance.
• System and Workflow Enhancements: scale cash application AI systems and ensure consistency.
• Audit and Compliance: participate in audits and ensure internal controls.
• General Ledger: coordinate with accounting and treasury for timely reconciliations.

Job description

Job Summary

The Payments Analyst is responsible for the timely and accurate application of customer payments, reconciliation of cash receipts, and resolution of payment discrepancies. Working closely with Collections Analysts, Treasury, customers, and other internal partners, this role investigates and resolves unapplied cash, payment variances, and other exceptions to ensure customer accounts are accurate and up to date. With a strong focus on process improvement, automation, and scalability, the Payments Analyst identifies opportunities to reduce manual effort, improve cash application efficiency, and support the Company’s continued growth.

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Cash Application Management: Responsible for the timely and accurate processing of payments; oversee and lead initiatives as it relates to cash application, optimize alternative payment streams and addressing backlogs through appropriate action.
• Variance Resolution: Oversee and resolve payment variances, working collaboratively with customers, Collection Analysts and Account Support teams. Track and analyze variance trends to implement preventative measures and improve payment accuracy.
• Customer Experience Enhancement: Ensure that payment-related interactions, including resolving disputes and processing refunds, are handled professionally and efficiently, maintaining positive customer relationships while minimizing operational disruptions.
• Process Improvement and Optimization: Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies within the payments process and recommend improvements to automate, streamline, and enhance payment workflows. Specific attention placed on alternative payment streams.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Serve as the liaison between the Accounts Receivable, Account Management, and Account Support teams, as well as other departments, to promptly resolve payment-related issues and customer inquiries.
• Reporting Tools: Develop tracking and reporting systems to measure, analyze, manage, and communicate operations performance and trends.
• System and Workflow Enhancements: Partner with Treasury, Accounts Receivable, and Development teams, to continue scaling the cash application AI system and related workflows. Develop and document workflows and controls to ensure consistency, accuracy, and seamless customer experience.
• Audit and Compliance: Ensure compliance with accounting standards, credit policies, and internal controls, participating in audits and reviews as required.
• General Ledger: Collaborate closely with the accounting and treasury teams to ensure accurate financial reporting, timely reconciliations, and alignment on working capital goals.
• Other duties as assigned.