Accounts Receivable Specialist

Cognia, Inc. • Middletown Township, NJ

3d • Remote

About The Position

We seek passionate people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to helping improve the work of schools as a trusted partner in advancing learning. By joining the Cognia team, you will be immersed in a community of energetic and resourceful people dedicated to a common vision to impact and inspire education providers to advance and enable pathways of success for all learners. At Cognia we have developed a holistic approach to education that empowers schools to create real outcomes and optimize learning for students of all backgrounds. Serving over 40,000 institutions from early learning through high school in more than 100 countries and territories, Cognia brings universally recognized perspective to advancing teaching and learning. When you join Cognia, you join a team of experts passionate about our mission and embracing our core values in everything we do. NATURE AND SCOPE: The Accounts Receivable Specialist serves as a member of the Finance team under the direction of the Accounts Receivable Manager. This position is responsible for managing customer accounts to ensure timely collection of outstanding receivables, including the processing and reconciliation of incoming payments from customers, while maintaining positive relationships.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field and two (2) years of experience in accounts receivable or collections; or combined education and experience equal to four (4) years required
• Detailed oriented with a great customer service focus required
• Strong understanding of A/R processes, invoicing, and aging analysis required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting/ERP systems required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Professional persistence and negotiation skills
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• High level of integrity and discretion
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with customers
• Ability to create and maintain cooperative working relationships with other team members
• Ability to deliver a high degree of accuracy when posting transactions
• Ability to organize, manage, and implement multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint and other software and web-based applications
• Follows in all respects the Cognia code of ethics
• Fosters positive and collaborative working relationships within the Finance Division and across the organization to accomplish organization-wide goals

Nice To Haves

• Experience with NetSuite preferred
• Knowledge of credit and collections best practices preferred
• Experience in high-volume or complex Accounts Receivable environments preferred

Responsibilities

• Generate and send invoices to customers in a timely manner.
• Generate billing l of jobs and fees and itemize on Invoice Request Forms received from the various Operations Offices.
• Process credit memos and post adjustments once approved by the Accounts Receivable Manager.
• Monitor and manage assigned Accounts/Receivable portfolio, focusing on past-due balances.
• Contact customers via phone, email, and written correspondence to secure payment.
• Follow up on overdue invoices according to established collection timelines.
• Resolve billing discrepancies, short payments, and disputes in coordination with internal teams.
• Negotiate payment arrangements when necessary and document agreements.
• Maintain accurate customer account records and collection notes in the accounting system.
• Apply customer payments accurately and in a timely manner.
• Reconcile customer statements and research unapplied or misapplied payments.
• Assist with month-end close related to accounts receivable.
• Perform daily cash management duties, including the recording of bank deposits (lockbox and remote deposit capture, credit cards, ACH and domestic & international wire payments), updating and distribution of cash receipt logs, and posting of cash to the accounts receivable sub-ledger.
• Assist with research and resolution of unpaid workshop registrations.
• Perform month-end close responsibilities including the preparation of journal entries and account reconciliations and update month-end close spreadsheet as appropriate.
• Prepare and review Accounts/Receivable aging reports and collection status summaries.
• Escalate high-risk or long-outstanding accounts to management as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with company credit policies and collection procedures.
• Support internal and external audits by providing Accounts/Receivable documentation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline accounts receivable processes, implement automation tools, and optimize efficiency.
• Partner with billing, sales, and customer service teams to resolve issues affecting payment.
• Identify trends in delinquency and recommend process improvements.
• Maintain professional and courteous relationships with customers at all times.
• Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.

Benefits

• generous paid time off and holiday breaks
• comprehensive insurance plans
• a 12.5% retirement savings contribution which is immediately vested, all effective on your date of hire

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees