Job Description
Collections Specialist Location: Eastwood
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, Generally Day Shift with Flexible Hours
Role Overview The Collections Specialist will be responsible for supporting the centralized global collections function within the Accounts Receivable team. The role will focus on proactively managing outstanding receivables, coordinating client payment follow-ups, applying customer payments, supporting bank reconciliations, and maintaining accurate AR aging and collection reports.
This position is part of the company's transition to a Global AR Shared Services model in the Philippines and will help establish standardized, efficient, and scalable collection processes across global clients.
Key Responsibilities Collections Management
- Monitor and manage assigned customer accounts and outstanding receivables.
- Review the Accounts Receivable Aging regularly and identify overdue and high-risk accounts.
- Proactively follow up with clients regarding outstanding invoices through email and telephone calls.
- Maintain accurate records of collection activities, client commitments, payment dates, and follow-up actions.
- Escalate long-outstanding, disputed, or high-risk accounts to the AR Team Lead and relevant stakeholders.
- Work closely with internal teams to resolve billing, invoice, or account issues that may delay payment.
- Follow up on promised payments and ensure commitments are monitored through collection.
Cash Application & Bank Reconciliation
- Monitor daily customer receipts and ensure payments are accurately and timely applied to the appropriate Sales Invoices (SIs).
- Review remittance advices and identify the appropriate customer accounts and invoices for payment application.
- Investigate and resolve unidentified, unapplied, or incorrectly applied cash.
- Assist with bank reconciliation relating to customer receipts and collections.
- Coordinate with Finance and other relevant teams to resolve payment discrepancies.
AR Monitoring & Reporting
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date AR Aging and collection records.
- Prepare regular collection reports, including outstanding receivables, overdue accounts, collection status, cash application, and other AR-related reports.
- Provide timely updates on collection performance, significant overdue accounts, and potential collection issues.
- Assist with month-end AR activities and ensure required reports and reconciliations are completed within deadlines.
- Maintain proper supporting documentation for collection and cash application activities.
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Respond to client queries relating to outstanding invoices, payments, account balances, and remittances.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with international clients and internal stakeholders.
- Communicate clearly and professionally when following up on overdue balances or resolving account discrepancies.
- Coordinate with Billing, Finance, Operations, and other teams to resolve issues affecting collections.
Process Improvement & Controls
- Support the development and implementation of standardized global collection processes.
- Identify opportunities to improve collection efficiency, cash application, reconciliation, reporting, and client follow-up processes.
- Assist in strengthening AR controls and ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures.
- Contribute to processing documentation, SOPs, and continuous improvement initiatives within the Global AR Shared Services team.
Other Responsibilities - Support projects and process transitions related to the Global AR Shared Services model.
- Perform other AR-related and ad hoc tasks as assigned by the AR Team Lead or VP F&A.
Skills & Competencies - Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with international clients.
- Strong collections and negotiation skills, with the ability to conduct professional but firm payment follow-ups.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good understanding of Accounts Receivable and accounting principles.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple accounts and deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Ability to analyze AR Aging and identify collection priorities and trends.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a global team.
- Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to identify issues and proactively drive them toward resolution.
- Keen interest in process improvement and standardization.
Qualifications & Experience - Bachelor's degree in Accountancy, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 2–3 years of relevant experience in Accounts Receivable, Collections, or a similar finance role.
- Experience in handling international clients is highly preferred.
- Experience in collections, cash applications, bank reconciliation, and AR reporting.
- Experience working with Xero and/or NetSuite is an advantage.
- Experience working with a BPO, shared services, or multinational environment is an advantage.
- Willing to work on a day shift with flexibility adjusting working hours based on client requirements and business needs.
- Willing to work under a hybrid work arrangement.
Personal Qualifications We are looking for someone who is:
- Proactive and results-oriented, particularly in driving timely collections.
- Confident and professional when communicating with clients regarding overdue payments.
- Accountable and detail-oriented, with strong ownership of assigned accounts.
- Persistent and comfortable with regular follow-ups.
- Analytical and able to investigate discrepancies and identify root causes.
- A strong team player who supports a One Global AR Team culture.
- Adaptable and comfortable working with clients and stakeholders across different countries and time zones.
- Committed to accuracy, process discipline, and continuous improvement.
KPI Areas
- Collection / cash collection achievement
- Overdue AR reduction
- Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)
- Collection effectiveness
- On-time follow-up of overdue accounts
- Unapplied cash balance
- Timeliness and accuracy of cash application
- Bank reconciliation completion
- Accuracy and timeliness of AR/collection reports
- Client response and resolution time
