Finance - Associate Accounts Receivable

The Accounts Receivable Associate is a part time opportunity within the Enterprise Financial Services (EFS) team of Group Finance. The position is responsible collection and billing activities for Accounts Receivable (AR) on behalf of Paint Stores Group (PSG), Performance Coatings Group (PCG), and Consumer Brands Group (CBG). The successful candidate will have direct contact with our customers; build relationships with the sales organization; and collaborate with finance colleagues of The Sherwin-Williams Company.

CUSTOMER COLLECTION ACTIVITY

* Direct customer contact of delinquent accounts in assigned area of responsibility to optimize cash flow and profitability.

* Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the sales organization and customers to enhance collection efforts and maintain business continuity.

* Develop and execute action plans to proactively resolve delinquent accounts.

* Evaluate collection customer activity results and recommend escalation to improve performance.

* Process required information on Customer and/or Third-Party websites to facilitate payment.

* Work with customers and the appropriate SW management to resolve customer discrepancies or disputes.

* Assist in identifying EDI, pricing, tracking, and process issues resulting in delayed payments.

* Initiate contact with stores, branches, customers, and customer service teams on issues impacting business opportunities.

* Complete customer dispute inquiries and send back to credit bureaus.

* Process IPA accounts.

* Timely distribution of online Accounts Receivable Reports.

DEPARTMENTAL TASKS

* Process incoming physical and electronic customer payments on accounts.

* Monitor and maintain department shared email inboxes.

* Maintain customer credit files in an orderly filing system.

* Sort, file, and/or distribute all incoming physical mail.

* Maintain adequate level of office supplies.

* Process biweekly payroll entries for department employees.

* Respond to all incoming phone calls and properly direct messages, and other related accounts receivable phone inquiries as needed.

* Complete expense transmittals for local invoices.

* Distribute all online Accounts Receivable Reports to store locations.

* Operation of the printer used in conjunction with the online accounts receivable system.

* Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by management.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE CONTROLS AND COMPLIANCE

* Maintain consistent adherence to the credit policies and procedures.

* Maintain customer and business records in accordance with established policies and procedures.

* Verify the AR balances are properly stated for the area of responsibility according to existing policies.

* Timely respond to internal and external AR audit inquiries as required.

* Communicate preliminary notice information to service company.

* Timely and accurate entry of customer account credit information.

* Ensure store compliance with basic credit file requirements.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

FORMAL EDUCATION:

Required:

* High School Diploma

Preferred:

* Bachelor's Degree

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

*Required:

* Knowledge of finance, accounting, or sales activities.

* Aptitude in critical thinking and/or business problem-solving.

Preferred:

* Sherwin-Williams' store, facility, or branch experience.

* Operational analysis and business communications experience.

* Customer service experience.

* Experience in Accounts Receivable.

TECHNICAL/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

* Proficiency in Microsoft Applications, including but not limited to, Excel and Word.

* Ability to collaborate across diverse functional teams, employ strategic decision-making; support business growth; and optimize business outcomes.

* Building and maintaining various types of financial models to aid, monitor and analyze business performance.

* The ability to compare and reconcile financial records from multiple sources, and analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights.

* Ability to communicate, verbally and written, ideas and decisions to a diverse stakeholder group in a clear, concise, and effective manner.

Preferred:

* The ability to influence attitudes, behaviors, and decisions through effective communication, negotiation, leadership, adaptation, and collaboration with varying types of stakeholders.

* Ability to understand, interpret, identify trends, and communicate financial data into meaningful insights.

* Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to business leaders utilizing an in-depth knowledge of the business segment(s) for the area of responsibility.