Accounting Specialist I

The Accounting Specialist I (Cash Applications) is responsible for ensuring a timely and accurate recording of accounts receivable payments, and journal entries; providing receivable information as requested.

Blanchard Machinery Company is committed to fostering a high-performance work culture with challenging work opportunities that inspire high quality results. Some of the benefits of joining our team are:

Competitive Pay.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401K, profit sharing, generous PTO and paid holidays, uniforms, and much more.
• Exposure to world-class CAT training and development.
• A friendly and supportive work environment.
• Continuous exposure to learning and new technologies.
• Opportunities for advancement.

• Contributes to a positive work environment and promotes the vision, mission, and values of BMC.
• Completes all job responsibilities in a safe manner, promotes and champions a safe and healthy work environment.
• Process and accurately apply all incoming payments for all customer accounts from various sources including Live Checks, Credit Cards, Daily Cash, Electronic Lockbox and Wire/ACH Transfers in a timely manner.
• Identify and communicate discrepancies in payments received with credit department analysts.
• Download, review, reconcile and post all lockbox payments on a current and daily basis.
• Performs reconciliation of daily deposits to the cash postings.
• Research unidentified payments for proper posting or return to the payer within 45 days of receipt.
• Responsible for Month-end closing activity that all payments have been matched properly.
• Research and resolve unapplied cash and gains approval from Accounting Manager monthly.
• Contact customers as required regarding questionable payments and resolve based on departmental procedures.
• Prepare detailed, accurate and organized accounts receivable reconciliations for customer requests as well as internal requests.
• Responsible for initiating unapplied payment and chargeback correspondence to customers.
• Maintain the responsibility for unapplied payments and lockbox bookkeeping accounts in assigned areas.
• Assist with mailing or faxing customer invoice copy requests as required.
• Provide quality, professional customer service to all internal and external A/R personnel.
• Additional tasks/duties as assigned by Finance Management and Supervisor/Manager.
• Payment records are matched to open customer invoices indicating payment has been received.
• Reviews all receipts by type; reconciles detail to bank receipt total. Discrepancies are identified and communicated to appropriate areas. Adjustments are made as needed to properly apply payment.
• Enters and matches payment adjustments as directed by the credit manager.
• Upon request from a Customer - Research and communicate payment application; includes both past application and current payment application.
• Enters all journal entries received in a timely and accurate manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance, preferred.

• 2-3 years of experience in handling complex accounts receivable duties in an accounting environment.

• General understanding of accounting concepts and procedures.

• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize heavy individual workload to meet time sensitive deadlines.

• Excellent communication skills; demonstrated professional, tactful problem-solving skills with personal presence to interface with corporate decision makers.

• Ability to compile, analyze and interpret financial information and data to facilitate decision making.

• Strong knowledge of banking and lockbox interfaces, downloads and software.

• Familiarity with GL codes.

• Demonstrated Proficiency in Microsoft office products. Proficiency in Excel is a must.

• Highly polished professional, articulate, excellent writing and speaking skills.

• Expert experience in journal entry recording, auditing and reconciliation of multiple accounts.

• Proven ability to create detailed line-item account reconciliations from the ground up.

• Must have excellent proven problem-solving skills and the ability to self-train on all systems and processes.

• Must be able to function effectively in a high-paced, high demand environment.

• Must be able and willing to work extended hours as the business need requires.

• Personal commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence.

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

Working Conditions

• The physical environment requires the employee to work inside throughout the year.
• Requires standing, stooping, squatting, pushing, pulling, twisting, turning, lifting.
• Seeing, reading, and writing to complete job responsibilities.
• Use of computers and other forms of technology to complete job responsibilities.