Overview
The Team Leader - Accounts Receivable is responsible for overseeing and guiding the AR Operations team, the Collections team, or a combined AR Operations and Collections team, ensuring effective execution of day-to-day accounts receivable and/or collections activities. Depending on regional structure, this role may be scoped to AR Operations, Collections, or both. This role manages, supports, and develops team members
Responsibilities
- Supervise, coach, and develop AR team members (Clerk AS1 and Specialist AS2), providing guidance, feedback, and support for professional growth.
- Oversee daily AR operations, ensuring accurate posting of bank transactions, timely application of customer payments, and prompt delivery of invoices and credit notes.
- Monitor and manage the shared AR mailbox, ensuring queries and requests are addressed or escalated appropriately.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements in all AR activities.
- Review and approve routine adjustments, write-offs, and account reconciliations in accordance with company policy.
- Support the resolution of complex payment discrepancies and customer queries, acting as an escalation point for the team.
- Coordinate with internal departments (e.g., credit, finance, sales) to resolve account issues and improve cross-functional processes.
- Lead the preparation and review of AR reports and documentation for management.
- Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements to enhance AR efficiency and accuracy.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment.
- Lead collections efforts to reduce past-due receivables and improve days sales outstanding (DSO), including oversight of dunning activities, collection calls, and correspondence.
- Develop and execute collection strategies, escalation paths, and payment plans for delinquent accounts.
- Negotiate payment terms and resolve escalated payment disputes with customers, balancing timely recovery with customer relationships.
- Monitor aging reports and account risk, recommending credit holds, write-offs, or referral to collections agencies or legal counsel as appropriate.
- Oversee the onboarding and training of new team members, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures.
- May be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of AI agents assigned to support AR tasks, ensuring alignment with team standards and procedures.
- Participate in and lead team meetings, training sessions, and professional development initiatives.
Qualifications
- Bachelors or Associate degree or equivalent and advantage
- 5+ years of experience in accounts receivable, collections, or finance
- In-depth knowledge of AR operations and/or collections processes, procedures, and best practices.
- Strong negotiation and dispute-resolution skills, with the ability to secure payment while maintaining positive customer relationships.
- Working knowledge of credit risk assessment, collections strategies, and aging/DSO management.
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in financial data management.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams); experience with Oracle Cloud or similar ERP systems preferred.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
- Fluency in English; additional languages relevant to supported markets are a plus.