Accounts Receivable Manager (Collections Focus)
The Accounts Receivable Manager (Collections Focus) is responsible for leading and managing the collections function within the Finance department. This role oversees a team of eight (8) collectors and is accountable for driving timely cash collections, reducing delinquency, and improving overall accounts receivable performance. The position is fully finance-focused and requires strong leadership, analytical skills, and advanced Excel capabilities to support reporting, forecasting, and process improvement.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Lead, coach, and supervise a team of 8 collections' professionals, setting clear expectations and performance goals
Manage day-to-day collections operations, ensuring timely follow-up on outstanding invoices and delinquent accounts
Monitor accounts receivable aging, identify risks and trends, and implement strategies to improve cash flow
Review collector productivity and effectiveness using KPIs and performance metrics
Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching and development to team members
Develop and enforce collections policies, procedures, and best practices
Partner with internal stakeholders (Finance, Sales, Customer Service) to resolve billing disputes and payment issues
Prepare and analyze detailed collections and AR reports using advanced Excel tools, including formulas, lookups, and pivot tables
Support month-end and periodic financial reporting related to accounts receivable
Ensure accurate documentation, recordkeeping, and compliance within collections systems
Identify opportunities for process improvements, automation, and operational efficiencies
Utilize Microsoft Office tools to deliver clear reporting, presentations, and communication
Perform additional finance-related duties as assigned
Qualifications
Proven experience in accounts receivable and collections management, including direct people leadership
Experience managing or supervising a collections team
Strong knowledge of accounts receivable, collections practices, and cash application processes
Advanced Excel skills, including formulas, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, and data analysis
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
Excellent communication, coaching, and leadership skills
Ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven finance environment
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with AR or ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP, NetSuite, Dynamics, or similar)
Background in KPI development and performance reporting
Experience leading process improvement or optimization initiatives in finance or collections
Key Competencies
Team leadership and performance management
Financial analysis and reporting
Decision-making and problem resolution
Process improvement mindset
Attention to detail and data accuracy