Accounts Receivable Clerk

Job Description

Accounts Receivable Clerk (Contract – 6 Months)

Location: San Diego, CA 92154 (Otay Mesa area)

Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Work Environment: 100% Onsite

Compensation: $22.00 – $24.00/hr. D.O.E.

A well-established and dynamic organization within the distribution and manufacturing sectors is actively seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Accounts Receivable Clerk for a crucial 6-month contract assignment. This vital role will be based at their San Diego (Otay Mesa) location and is instrumental in supporting a fast-paced and high-volume accounting department. The primary objective is to ensure the accurate and timely processing of all accounts receivable activities, efficient cash applications, and diligent maintenance of customer accounts.

The ideal candidate will thrive in an environment with high transaction volumes, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Success in this role requires strong collaborative skills, enabling effective communication with both internal teams (sales, customer service) and external customers to investigate and resolve discrepancies, ensuring the integrity of financial records.

Key Responsibilities

• Accurately post customer payments by diligently recording wire transfers and check transactions into the accounting system.
• Perform precise cash application and matching of received payments to corresponding invoices to ensure accounts are up-to-date.
• Proactively investigate and resolve account discrepancies through effective collaboration with sales teams, customer service representatives, vendors, and external customers.
• Process authorized deductions by generating appropriate adjusting entries and meticulously dispute invalid deductions, strictly adhering to established company procedures.
• Provide comprehensive support to collections efforts by thoroughly reviewing payment plans, analyzing payment history, and monitoring customer credit lines.
• Maintain accurate, detailed notes and timely updates within the customer database related to all receivables activity and communications.
• Navigate and manage multiple customer portals efficiently to pull, analyze, and reconcile critical data, while also monitoring dispute claims from various sources.
• Contribute significantly to financial forecasting by providing weekly AR forecasting and crucial monthly pre-close forecasting support to management.
• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality regarding all financial information and sensitive customer data.
• Assist the accounting and finance team with essential month-end and year-end closing activities, as well as critical audit preparation as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• 2+ years of dedicated Accounts Receivable experience, specifically within a high transaction volume environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Business Administration, or equivalent relevant experience demonstrating a strong understanding of financial principles.
• Solid working knowledge of accounting policies, best practices, and proficiency with standard AR systems.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel (specifically VLOOKUP and Pivot Tables), Word, and Outlook.
• Highly detail-oriented with robust analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify and resolve complex issues.
• Proven ability to multi-task effectively and maintain accuracy while completing repetitive tasks under strict deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of professional interaction with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Previous experience working with large retail or “Big Box” customer accounts, understanding their specific billing and dispute processes.
• Familiarity with Letters of Credit (LC) processes and international trade finance.