Credit & Collections Specialist

JOHN HENRY FOSTER MINNESOTA INC•Maryland Heights, MO

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Credit & Collections Specialist is responsible for supporting accounts receivable, credit administration, and customer account management processes. This position ensures timely and accurate cash application, maintains customer records, evaluates creditworthiness, and resolves billing discrepancies while delivering excellent customer service. The role works cross-functionally to support invoices, collections, tax compliance, and payment processing, optimizing cash flow and maintaining data integrity.

Requirements

High school diploma required
3–5 years of experience in accounts receivable, credit, or general accounting functions preferred.
Strong knowledge of basic accounting principles and accounts receivable processes.
Familiarity with sales tax regulations and exemption certificate management (AvaTax experience preferred).
Experience with cash application, account reconciliation, collections, and credit analysis.
High attention to detail, accuracy, and strong organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to research and resolve discrepancies independently.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a customer-focused approach.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field preferred.
AvaTax experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Post daily cash receipts to appropriate accounts and ensure batches balance; investigate and resolve discrepancies with customers or internal teams.
Reconcile credit card transactions and settlements between the accounting system and merchant processors.
Manage invoice entry and payment activity across customer procurement and third-party systems.
Monitor accounts receivable aging and follow up on past due balances; support collections efforts.
Research and resolve account disputes, billing discrepancies, short/overpayments, and unapplied credits.
Maintain and update customer account records, including billing/shipping details and tax-exempt status.
Analyze and assess customer creditworthiness; process credit applications, verify references, and maintain documentation.
Assist in setting up new customers, releasing held orders, and maintaining accurate credit limits.
Support credit card and ACH payment setup, including gathering and validating payment information.
Work with accounting to process adjustments, offsets, and miscellaneous credits.
Ensure compliance with sales tax requirements by managing exemption certificates using Avalara CertCapture; request, validate, and correct documentation as needed.
Communicate with customers regarding invoice inquiries, tax discrepancies, and payment-related questions.
Complete vendor setup requests and maintain required documentation (W-9s, ACH, wire instructions).
Monitor shared accounting inbox and respond to internal and external inquiries in a timely manner.
Provide backup reception/phone coverage and support departmental operations as needed.
Participate in team meetings and contribute to continuous process improvements.