Collections ((Sr.)Accounts Receivable Specialist) (18 months)

Export Development Canada•Ottawa, ON

1d•CA$84,698 - CA$112,931•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payment Management & Operations group is looking for a qualified candidate to join our Insurance & Receivables Services (I&RS) team, helping support EDC’s 2030 corporate strategy. You will play a key role in maintaining financial accuracy, ensuring timely payments, and supporting the financial health of the organization. Efficient accounts receivables management aims to optimize the recovery of payments for services provided. The Collections Specialist is responsible for managing assigned accounts receivable portfolios to ensure timely collection of outstanding balances while maintaining positive customer relationships. The role applies sound judgment, risk awareness, and established collection practices to minimize delinquency, aging, and credit exposure, and supports overall cash flow objectives. This will involve implementing strategies and technologies that streamline the payment collection process. The I&RS team plays a pivotal role in monitoring and managing overdue payments to safeguard against bad debt. The team is tasked with the creation and delivery of invoices to customers, which serve as important financial documents, both for the customer and EDC. Clear, accurate and transparent invoicing practices facilitate smoother transactions, foster trust between both parties, and contribute to improved cash flow management. The team is searching for an experienced collections individual who is seeking professional and personal growth, who is resilient and resourceful in the face of ambiguity. The ideal candidate brings critical thinking and perspective and is not afraid to challenge current practices. The successful candidate should have a natural curiosity for learning new technology/applications and experience pulling different sources of data together to understand performance and identify opportunities. This will involve implementing strategies that streamline the payment collection process, employing measures to assess and minimize delinquent accounts, and taking proactive steps to collect outstanding invoices. Dunning and collections are integral functions to the accounts receivables department, ensuring that outstanding debts are recovered effectively. This will require collaboration with various teams across the organization to gather customer information, communicate with customers by phone or email to address payment issues, and establishing suitable repayment terms. A paramount goal of the accounts receivable function is to enhance the overall payment experience for customers. Achieving this objective involves the strategic implementation of technologies and approaches that streamline payments, ensuring they are convenient, transparent and devoid of hassles.

Requirements

Post‑secondary education in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
2–5 years of experience in collections, accounts receivable, credit, or a related finance function
Experience working with ERP or financial systems and AR sub‑ledgers
Knowledge of invoicing, payment terms, aging analysis, and collection best practices
Strong communication and negotiation skills with the ability to engage customers professionally and constructively
Analytical mindset with attention to detail and the ability to assess financial risk
Sound judgment in balancing customer relationships with collection objectives
Organized, self‑directed, and able to manage multiple accounts and priorities effectively
Bilingual – French/English written and spoken (required)

Nice To Haves

Exposure to risk‑based collections models or credit management frameworks
Professional Designation (i.e. CFA, CPA, CCP) or MBA

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of accounts to ensure timely receipt of payments in accordance with contractual terms and internal policies
Proactively contact customers to regarding outstanding invoices, resolve payment delays, and negotiate payment arrangements when appropriate
Analyze accounts receivable aging, delinquency trends, and customer payment behaviour to prioritize collection activities using a risk‑based approach
Investigate and resolve billing issues (e.g., disputes, unapplied cash, credits, and short payments) in collaboration with internal teams (e.g., billing, operations, finance)
Maintain complete and accurate documentation of collection activities, agreements, and customer communications in the designated system(s)
Respond to customer inquiries and escalate high‑risk, aged, or non‑responsive accounts in line with escalation and exception protocols
Support month-end close and provide accurate, timely management and corporate reporting on collections performance, aging, and cash receipts for stakeholders.
Contribute to improvements in invoicing and payment processes to enhance clarity, transparency, and the customer payment experience
Develop and maintain standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and job aids for collections and related workflows.
Maintain and reconcile ledger accounts, financial statements and reports, as required.
Identify opportunities and recommend enhancements to internal processes, controls, and payment infrastructure.
Leverage multiple systems and applications to manage workflows, analyze performance, and support decision-making.

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits
work-life balance
3 to 4 weeks paid vacation
a corporate closure period
summer early Friday’s
no meeting Fridays
continuous learning opportunities, including training programs, workshops and language training
wellness initiatives, mental health support, and fitness programs
volunteer opportunities and give back to the community through our various social responsibility programs
performance-based incentive