Billing & Collections Specialist

Position Description
The purpose of this role is to provide administrative and collections support to the credit & receivables team for all products and services supplied by companies. The role holder is responsible for the collections & cash and sales ledger administration. He/she will assist the Billing Analysts and the Treasury function to ensure that receipts are recorded accurately and on time. The role reports to the EMEA Billing & Collections Supervisor and liaises with other Finance and Business functions.

Main Accountabilities:

Collections Responsibilities 50%
* To collect amounts outstanding using chasing letters and direct telephone contact to our medium to small customers
* To communicate/review items with the sales teams and Business Partners Group to resolve queries that will enable the collection of debt arising as a result of invoice disputes
* To undertake analysis of the Accounts Receivable ledger to provide for amounts that are potentially at risk, in line with Corporate Bad Debt Accounting policy.
* On a daily basis to create and distribute Dunning letters

Sales Ledger Responsibilities 25%
* Accurate and timely allocation of cash receipts in accordance with agreed processes/procedures
* Accurate recording and timely resolution of queries involving close liaison with the Billing Analysts, Business units and end customers
* Cash reporting to management
* Weekly maintenance of the debtors ledgers to ensure allocations of credit balances
Monthly review of credit balances and aged debtors to ensure completeness
* Completion of the monthly Direct Debit and refund routines
* Ownership of the Cash/Sales Ledger documented procedures and process flows
* Preparation of credit write back requests
* Accurate & timely filing of cash receipts, invoices, journals & other relevant paperwork

General AR 20%
* Issue of copy invoices
* Maintenance of the AR monthly timetable
* Assistance with AR Reconciliations
* Assistance of the AR month end close process
* Liaising with treasury to resolve outstanding bank reconciling items
* Preparation & processing of Netherlands monthly customer refund payments

Ad hoc Duties 5%
* Support the EMEA Billing & Collections Supervisor and team as required
* Perform other ad hoc duties as required by management
* Cover for Billing Analysts during absence

Knowledge, Skills, Experience, Training, Education:
Essential
* Previous experience working in a similar environment.
* Basic Accounting knowledge
* IT literate, with a good working knowledge of software packages including Excel and Word
* Ability to establish, follow, recommend and monitor new processes/procedures
* Excellent team working ability
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build effective relationships with other departments to ensure administration processes satisfy their needs - eg, accounting, audit, internal systems, group and customer satisfaction
* Excellent time management and organisation skills, with an ability to multi task
* A pro-active approach to problem solving, assuming responsibility for resolution.
* The enthusiasm and drive to work to targets, achieve objectives and meet deadlines

Desirable
* Knowledge of Sarbanes Oxley audit compliance an advantage
* Experience using Oracle is highly desirable
* A European language would be beneficial