Senior Credit & Collections Accountant

freudenberg; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg Group seeks an experienced Accounts Receivable leader to drive credit, collections, and AR transformation across our businesses.

You will lead the AR/collections teams, optimize DSO, implement automated processes, and partner with Sales, Operations, and Finance to improve working capital.

Applicants should have a finance/Accounting degree, 6+ years in AR/credit, SAP experience, and strong communication in English; Lean belt preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in finance/accounting or related field.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in credit, collections, and AR.
• Experience leading AR transformation initiatives including automation and process improvement.
• Experience in a shared services environment with stakeholder influence.
• Track record of improving cash flow and reducing past-due receivables.
• Strong knowledge of credit risk assessment and collections strategies.
• Advanced experience with ERP systems, SAP preferred.
• Proficiency in AR reporting, analytics, and KPI development.
• Fluent in English; Lean methodologies knowledge (Green Belt preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead AR, credit, collections across assigned business units.
• Drive improvements in DSO, overdue receivables, dispute aging, and bad debt.
• Establish and enforce credit policies, approval authorities, and risk controls; liaison for audits.
• Optimize and automate AR processes, controls, reporting, and workflows.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Customer Service, and Finance to resolve receivable issues.
• Provide functional leadership to AR and Collections teams with KPIs and development plans.
• Lead AR-related system implementations and process improvements while promoting best practices.

Skills

Credit management

Cash flow management

Data analytics

Excel

KPI development

Communication

Change management

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Administration

Tools

SAP

Credit management software

AR dashboards

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world!

Responsibilities:

• Accounts Receivable & Credit Management: Lead all accounts receivable, credit, collections, dispute resolution, and customer credit activities across assigned business units.
• Cash Flow & Working Capital Performance: Drive improvements in DSO, overdue receivables, dispute aging, and bad debt while supporting cash forecasting and liquidity objectives.
• Credit Risk & Compliance: Establish and enforce credit policies, approval authorities, and risk controls; serve as the primary liaison for audits, legal matters, and credit-related governance.
• Process Improvement & Automation: Optimize and automate AR processes, controls, reporting, and workflows to improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience.
• Business Partnership: Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Customer Service, and Finance to resolve receivable issues, influence customer terms, and support profitable growth.
• Team Leadership: Provide functional leadership to AR and Collections teams, establishing clear performance expectations, KPIs, and development plans.
• Transformation & Change Management: Lead AR-related system implementations, process enhancements, and organizational initiatives while driving adoption of new tools and best practices across the business.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in Credit, Collections, and Accounts Receivable within a high-volume business environment.
• Proven success leading AR transformation initiatives , including process improvement, automation, and systems optimization.
• Experience working within a shared services environment , with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive results across functions.
• Demonstrated track record of improving cash flow, reducing past-due receivables, and minimizing bad debt exposure.
• Strong knowledge of credit risk assessment, customer credit management, and collections strategies .
• Advanced experience with ERP systems and AR processes; SAP preferred .
• Proficient in AR reporting, analytics, KPI development, and dashboard creation.
• Experience leveraging automation and digital tools to improve AR efficiency and controls.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office , particularly Excel, and credit management software.
• Strong communication skills with fluency in English , both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of Lean methodologies ; Green Belt certification preferred

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Freudenberg Residential Filtration Technologies Inc.