Accounts Receivable Specialist

Job PurposeThe Senior Accounts Receivable Accountant is responsible for managing the company’s accounts receivable cycle, ensuring accurate customer invoicing, timely collection of outstanding balances, proper reconciliation of customer accounts, and effective credit control.The position requires strong experience in a manufacturing, bakery, food production, FMCG, or retail environment, where transactions may involve high sales volumes, multiple branches, distributors, supermarkets, key accounts, and credit customers.Key ResponsibilitiesAccounts Receivable ManagementManage the complete accounts receivable cycle, including invoicing, collections, customer reconciliations, and payment allocation.Ensure all customer invoices, debit notes, credit notes, discounts, rebates, and returns are recorded accurately and on time.Verify invoices against sales orders, delivery notes, purchase orders, contracts, and customer agreements.Monitor customer account balances and ensure payments are correctly allocated in the accounting system.Maintain accurate and updated customer master data, credit terms, credit limits, and payment conditions.Review daily sales transactions from retail outlets, branches, distributors, and key accounts.Reconcile accounts receivable balances with the general ledger on a monthly basis.Investigate and resolve differences between invoiced amounts, delivered quantities, returned products, customer deductions, and actual collections.Collection and Credit ControlPrepare and regularly review accounts receivable ageing reports.Follow up with customers regarding overdue invoices and outstanding balances.Coordinate with Sales, Operations, Logistics, Warehousing, and Customer Service to resolve collection issues.Identify high-risk and overdue accounts and escalate them to Finance Management.Recommend credit holds, revised payment terms, credit limit adjustments, or collection actions when necessary.Prepare customer statements of account and obtain balance confirmations.Support the development and implementation of credit control procedures.Maintain proper documentation of collection follow-ups, customer commitments, and payment plans.Participate in collection meetings and provide updates on overdue accounts and expected cash receipts.Manufacturing, Bakery and Retail TransactionsReview sales and collection transactions generated from manufacturing operations, bakery outlets, retail stores, distributors, supermarkets, and wholesale customers.Reconcile sales reports with invoices, delivery records, point-of-sale reports, bank deposits, and customer receipts.Monitor customer deductions relating to product returns, damaged goods, promotional discounts, listing fees, rebates, expiry claims, and commercial agreements.Coordinate with the Supply Chain and Sales teams to verify delivery discrepancies and customer claims.Ensure customer returns and credit notes are properly authorized and supported.Reconcile daily retail collections, including cash, card payments, online payments, and other payment methods, where applicable.Support the reconciliation of sales generated through different branches, channels, and customer categories.Reporting and Month-End ClosingPrepare weekly and monthly accounts receivable reports.Provide collection forecasts and expected cash inflow reports.Prepare reports covering:Total receivables.Current and overdue balances.Customer ageing analysis.Collection performance.Customer credit exposure.Doubtful accounts.Unallocated receipts.Customer disputes and deductions.Days Sales Outstanding.Complete month-end closing activities related to accounts receivable.Prepare provisions for doubtful debts in coordination with the Finance Manager.Support external and internal audit requirements by providing reconciliations, confirmations, invoices, receipts, and supporting documents.Assist in preparing financial statements and management reports related to accounts receivable.Compliance and Process ImprovementEnsure accounts receivable transactions comply with company policies, accounting standards, tax requirements, and internal controls.Ensure customer invoices and credit notes are properly issued and recorded in accordance with applicable invoicing and tax requirements.Maintain complete and properly organized documentation for all accounts receivable transactions.Identify weaknesses in invoicing, collection, reconciliation, and credit control processes.Recommend improvements to reduce overdue balances, billing errors, customer disputes, and collection delays.Support ERP implementation, system improvement, automation, and integration between Finance, Sales, Retail, Warehouse, and Point-of-Sale systems.Train and support junior accounts receivable team members when required.QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field.Professional accounting certification such as SOCPA, CMA, ACCA, CPA, or equivalent is an advantage.Minimum of 5 years of relevant accounting experience.At least 3 years of direct experience in accounts receivable, collection, customer reconciliation, or credit control.Previous experience in one or more of the following industries is required:Bakery or food production.Manufacturing.FMCG.Retail.Wholesale or distribution.Supermarket or food-service operations.Required Experience and KnowledgeStrong understanding of accounts receivable accounting and general ledger reconciliation.Practical experience preparing and analysing accounts receivable ageing reports.Strong experience in customer collections and overdue account management.Experience handling high-volume customer transactions and multiple sales channels.Experience dealing with supermarkets, distributors, retailers, corporate customers, and key accounts is preferred.Knowledge of customer deductions, rebates, discounts, product returns, expiry claims, and promotional agreements.Good understanding of revenue recognition, credit notes, debit notes, provisions, and doubtful debts.Familiarity with VAT, electronic invoicing, and applicable financial compliance requirements.Experience using ERP and accounting systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo, or similar systems.Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, ageing analysis, reconciliation, and financial reporting.Experience with Point-of-Sale and retail reconciliation systems is an advantage.Good command of English; Arabic language skills are preferred.CompetenciesStrong analytical and reconciliation skills.High level of accuracy and attention to detail.Strong collection and negotiation skills.Ability to identify discrepancies and resolve customer account issues.Good communication and stakeholder-management skills.Ability to work under pressure and meet month-end deadlines.Strong organizational and time-management skills.Ability to manage a high volume of transactions and customer accounts.Professional approach when dealing with customers and internal departments.High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.Ability to supervise or guide junior accounts receivable employees.Key Performance IndicatorsPerformance may be measured against the following indicators:Days Sales Outstanding.Percentage of overdue receivables.Monthly collection achievement against target.Reduction in balances exceeding 30, 60, 90, and 120 days.Accuracy and timeliness of customer invoicing.Number and value of unallocated customer payments.Timely completion of customer reconciliations.Reduction in customer disputes and unresolved deductions.Accuracy of accounts receivable ageing reports.Timely completion of month-end closing activities.Compliance with approved customer credit limits and payment terms.Accuracy of retail, branch, distributor, and key-account reconciliations.