Accounts Receivable Specialist

The Accounts Receivable Specialist  is responsible for managing assigned accounts receivable balances and supporting the timely collection of outstanding invoices. This role partners with internal teams and clients to resolve payment delays, research account issues, maintain accurate collection records, and improve overall cash flow. The ideal candidate is professional, organized, persistent, detail-oriented, and able to balance strong collection efforts with positive client relationships.

Attributes to support the NELSON culture:

• Go All In. Own the Outcome. We go all in—with urgency, follow-through, and pride in the result.
• Be Direct. Be Respectful. Be Authentic.  We keep it real—with clarity, candor, and care. 
• Grow with Purpose.  We embrace growth—through learning, coaching, and continuous improvement. 
• Think Bold. Execute Smart.  We think boldly—and pair ambition with discipline. 
• Make Space for Everyone.  We value you—and build a culture where people can thrive and do their best work.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Critical features of this job are described under the headings below. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Reviews open accounts and prioritizes collection efforts based on aging, risk, and account status.
• Makes outbound collection calls and writes collection emails in a professional manner while maintaining and strengthening client relationships.
• Facilitates the timely collection of customer payments in accordance with established payment terms and due dates.
• Research and helps resolve client billing problems, payment delays, disputes, and other issues contributing to account delinquency, and communicates significant risks, findings, and recommended next steps to management.
• Communicates directly with clients to build and maintain strong working relationships and reduce the time to payment.
• Partners with project managers, billing teams, and finance leadership to address contract issues, missing documentation, and other internal barriers to payment.
• Escalates significantly delinquent, high-risk, or high-balance accounts to management, as appropriate.
• Maintains accurate and timely collection notes, client communications, promised payment dates, dispute status, and follow-up actions.
• Supports the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date account records, databases, and spreadsheets, and may assist the supervisor with preparing reports on account status, collection activity, aging trends, payment commitments, and collection risks.
• Supports efforts to reduce delinquency, improve cash flow, and meet departmental collection goals.
• Assists with gathering client-requested backup documentation and other supporting information to facilitate payment.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledgeable in all general accounting principles, with a focus on credit and collections practices and procedures.
• Exceptional customer service approach.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail is a must; ability to regularly problem solve and make recommendations for improvement.
• Experience in a professional services environment, preferably within the AEC sector
• Deltek Vantagepoint and Microsoft Excel experience required

Education / Experience: 

• High School diploma required, associate degree preferred/ bachelor’s degree in accounting a plus.
• At least 2 years in collections, accounts receivable, or client account management, preferably in professional services or A/E/C.
• Strong experience in customer service.

National average salary range: $45,000-$55,000. Additional compensation includes bonuses and benefits (compensation factors are based upon years of relevant experience, qualifications/licensure, education, and location.)