Collections Specialist

Company Description

We are SGS - the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Job Description

The Collections Specialist is responsible for the timely completion of accounts receivable, and collections functions. The Collections Specialist ensures company accounting procedures conform to generally accepted accounting principles.

Job Functions

• Responsible for the timely completion of Account Receivables and Payables Collections to ensure weekly, monthly and annual targets are met.

• Responsible for understanding, complying and enforcing the SGS Travel and Business Expense Policy.

• Audits invoices for discrepancies and resolves time-sensitive client disputes to ensure timely turnaround of payments.

• Ensures business travel and entertainment expenses are invoiced correctly, reasonable and consistent with the company travel policy.

• Confirms data from auditor invoice against the client contract and business system to verify that the audit time charged is correct.

• Pro-actively communicates with management to assure awareness of any customer issues and recommendations for improvement and/or resolution.

• Manages invoicing inquiries through Outlook via emails.

• Manages client/vendor portals which may include set up and uploading of invoices.

• Handles incoming and outgoing customer calls while building and maintaining strong customer relationships.

• Determines validity of invoice/account discrepancies by investigating and obtaining information from operations, billing, and customers. Issues credits as needed.

• Processes credit checks for new clients and communicates high risk credit scores to management to determine payment terms.

• Submits name, address and bank detail changes to Finance for clients.

• Updates client records with purchase orders, billing instructions, name changes, etc.

• Prepares prepayment requests and credits as needed.

• Processes credit card payments and sends checks to the lockbox.

• Completes new supplier forms for clients.

• Prepares refund and write off requests.

• Sends delinquent accounts to collection agency once all collection efforts have been exhausted.

• Reviews weekly reports to ensure payments are invoicing is turned around timely to improve DSO and Bad Debt.

• Prepares reports for the monthly collection meeting by reviewing the aging and identifying problem.

• Organizes daily work for efficient operation.

• Adheres to internal standards, policies and procedures.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and a minimum of 2-4 years of experience in Collections OR equivalent combination of education and experience (Required)
• Advanced English language skills (Required)
• Basic mathematical skills (Required)
• Intermediate to advanced level reasoning skills/abilities (Required)
• Responsible for timely completion of collections, account receivable, etc. (Required)
• Ability to prioritize projects and multitask (Required)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (Required)
• High attention to detail (Required)
• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles. (Required)
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently (Required)
• Ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects. (Required)
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Required)
• Oracle experience (Preferred)

$18 - $22 an hour

Additional Information

SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the company's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

If you are applying for a position within the United States and you have difficulty completing the on-line employment application because of a disability, please call 201-508-3149 for assistance and leave a message. You will receive a call back. Please note, this phone number is not for general employment information, but is only for individuals who are experiencing difficulty applying for a position due to a disability.