Accounts Collections Specialist

ZIM•Virginia Beach, VA

About The Position

The Accounts Collections Specialist is responsible for collecting past-due amounts while preventing current balances from aging. The role manages customer communications—including dunning, refunds, and statements—and resolves disputes to help ensure customer portfolios comply with established payment and credit terms. The specialist reviews customer accounts for billing, invoice, and payment accuracy; serves as the primary contact for accounting matters related to customer accounts; and communicates company services, policies, and terms. The role coordinates with customers and internal teams to resolve disputes, service failures, payment discrepancies, credit balances, unapplied receipts, and other issues affecting timely payment. It also supports cash-flow targets by completing processes efficiently and meeting quality standards.

Requirements

Minimum of three years of collections, accounts receivable, industry, and/or related experience.
Strong knowledge of commercial collections.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the shipping industry preferred.
Knowledge of SAP FI/CO and MM modules preferred.

Responsibilities

Contact customers to pursue payment and obtain information such as email addresses or phone numbers.
Review customer accounts receivable balances for billing, invoice, and payment accuracy.
Serve as the main contact for accounting matters concerning customer accounts.
Communicate company capabilities, services, policies, and terms to customers, and set appropriate expectations through regular two-way communication.
Act as liaison between customers and the Dispute team to facilitate timely dispute resolution and payment.
Investigate and recommend solutions to service failures and other issues that may prevent prompt receipt or application of payment.
Escalate customer complaints, disputes, and inquiries to appropriate internal departments or management as needed.
Issue complete and timely account statements and provide invoices and invoice details.
Provide Credit and Collection management staff with regular account activity updates, including weekly status and call reports.
Coordinate the dunning process.
Ensure customers pay the correct bank account and use the correct name in compliance with banking requirements.
Work with Customer Service to determine how to meet customer needs outside the normal AOR and perform manual processes to address those needs.
Support cash-flow targets by completing processes and procedures, meeting quality standards, and handling customer accounts effectively and efficiently.
Research and validate account credit balances.
Identify payment discrepancies and obtain remittance details from customers or internal departments to resolve residual balances promptly.
Research, resolve, and reconcile unapplied receipts.
Encourage customers to use credits and coordinate refunds.