Accounts Receivable Analyst Jobs in the United States

Accounts Receivable Analyst Jobs Overview

Analyzing finances and monitoring incoming funds are key tasks in accounts receivable analyst jobs. Your duties include collecting and organizing receipts, going over records, and making suggestions on how to improve payment processes. You might oversee other coworkers and assist with operating a large department of accounts receivable clerks.

This position usually means you'll work in an office most of the day, but some remote jobs are available. Accounts receivable analyst jobs are typically full-time positions that will require you to be at work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Accounts Receivable Analyst Salaries

An analyst earns a median wage of nearly $52,000 annually. This salary can vary quite a bit, ranging between $38,000 and $71,000 per year. If you work in a bigger department and have more responsibilities, you can command a higher salary as an accounts receivable analyst.

Location greatly impacts your wages, so check our salary calculator to see how much accounts receivable analyst jobs pay in your area. The highest-paying job locations for this role are New York, NY, Houston, TX, and Chicago, IL.

Finding an Accounts Receivable Analyst Position That Suits You

With accounts receivable analyst jobs available across a variety of industries, it's important to approach the job search thoughtfully. To find your dream position, consider these essential factors.

How Well the Job Fits Your Lifestyle

Look at the information in the listing to learn about the job's location and hours. See whether it will work with your schedule and decide whether you can handle the commute. You might also consider whether the benefits and proposed salary will accommodate your budget.

Whether the Job Matches Your Skills

To increase your likelihood of getting a call for an interview, focus on jobs with a list of skills that match your own. Check to see whether they ask for things like Excel experience, billing policy implementation, or customer service, and think about whether these are things you possess.

Read the job listing carefully to see what experience and education you need. Many accounts receivable analyst jobs require at least two years of experience and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Promotional Opportunities That Come With the Job

Many accounts receivable analysts hope to use their experience to become professional accountants or administrators. If you have these goals, try to select a job at a big company that will potentially have open positions later on. This can make it easier to move up the ranks toward a managerial position.

If you hope to be at a company for a while, it's also important to ensure their values align with your own. Research the company online to see whether the team dynamics and management style match your preferences.

Applying for Accounts Receivable Analyst Jobs

The job application process is your first chance to show why you'd be an excellent candidate. Here are some things to keep in mind as you apply for accounts receivable analyst jobs.

Craft a Quality Resume

Start the resume process by finding key skills in the job description, such as QuickBooks proficiency or mathematical abilities, and mention that you have these qualities. You can also use in-demand keywords, like financial analysis, billing, and spreadsheet analysis along with risk mitigation, in your resume to help it stand out. For best results, emphasize concrete accomplishments, like “increased payment processing time by 15%”, as part of your finance resume strategy.

If you want a stress-free and efficient way of designing your resume, consider using our professional resume writing services. It's also a great time to sign up for a Monster account to enjoy our helpful services like a free resume review and quick application submission.

Write an Intriguing Cover Letter

If you'd like to add a personal touch to your application, include a cover letter that expresses why you want to work for the company and emphasizes your strongest accomplishments. Use this sample financial analyst cover letter to help you find the ideal way to phrase your own.

Submit an Excellent Application

Before submitting your application on Monster, review the job description carefully to make sure you follow all instructions. Showcase your attention to detail by checking all documents for grammatical errors or other issues.

How to Follow Up After You Apply

Though a follow-up after your application isn't mandatory, it's certainly useful. A follow-up brings your application back to the top of the hiring manager's mind, ensuring you don't get lost in the crowd.

Start by finding the right person to follow up with. Contact information might be listed on the job posting, or you can often find the hiring manager or HR department's number on the company's website. As our guide to following up on an application shows, you can reach out via email, phone, or even social media.

Keep your follow-up short and professional. Highlight your interest in the job, explain why you'd like to work with the company, and mention one or two of your best features. Finish by encouraging them to reach out to you if they'd like to schedule an interview or learn more about your qualifications.

Interviewing Tips for Accounts Receivable Analyst Jobs

Once you've successfully designed a stellar resume, you can expect to get some requests for interviews. In the accounts receivable field, interviews usually consist of a question-and-answer session, and some might also ask you to do a few computer tasks that showcase your typing and software skills.

Research the Company Ahead of Time

Prepare for your interview by looking up the company online. Make sure you understand their goals so that you can use the interview as a way of showing how you'd benefit the company. For example, if their site highlights their customer service, emphasize how skilled you are at communicating with people in a friendly yet professional manner.

Prepare Answers to Common Interview Questions

To avoid being flustered mid-interview, come up with a few basic answers to routine questions. Accounts receivable interviews will ask a lot of standard accounting interview questions about things like your ability to ensure accuracy and use certain software programs. Some other questions you might encounter include:

• What steps would you take if you suspected fraud in your department?
• At what point would you send a customer to a debt collection agency?
• How would you handle a data entry clerk with a history of frequent errors?
• Can you explain your process for negotiation with a difficult client?
• What do you think is the most important skill for an accounts receivable analyst to have?

Use the Interview to Highlight Your Experience

Most interview questions might seem like they're asking you about theoretical situations, but make sure to ground your answers with real-world anecdotes whenever possible. Do things like mention a specific time you resolved an error in QuickBooks or a particular instance where you convinced a difficult customer to pay their bill.

This helps the interviewer see what it would be like to work with you. It highlights your proven track record of competence and emphasizes your years of experience.

Follow Up After the Interview

You can further showcase your dedication and communication skills with a follow-up afterward. Send a thank-you email to the interviewer within 24 hours and invite them to reach out if they have any other questions to ask.

If you don't hear back within a week, another follow-up can be a good way of addressing the situation. In cases where the hiring manager is undecided, a follow-up can remind them of you and prove you're a motivated person. If they've selected another candidate, it can still help you gain feedback on your performance.

How to Handle an Accounts Receivable Offer

If your interviews for accounts receivable analyst jobs go well, you'll hopefully get some job offers. These offers are a great opportunity to ensure you end up with the perfect job. Since this field tends to be very formal and professional, you'll typically get a written document that you have at least 24 hours to go over.

During this time, confirm that the job's responsibilities, hours, and requirements suit your needs. Take a close look at the salary and benefits and make sure they match the remuneration for other accounts receivable analyst positions in your region. If anything is unclear, it's acceptable to contact the hiring manager and ask questions like, "When the offer says I'll collect late bills, does that include meeting with debtors in person?"

Keep in mind that job satisfaction is about more than just salary. If you're trying to decide between multiple jobs, you'll also want to consider:

• Which company has a better reputation for treating employees fairly?
• Does one position have more promotional opportunities than the other?
• Which job has a more convenient location for you?
• Are you likely to have to work longer hours at one of the jobs?
• Which job involves collecting accounts for an industry you find more interesting?

Don't be afraid to negotiate if one offer seems like your dream job but doesn't pay quite enough. In the accounts receivable field, it's expected that you may want to ask for a higher salary, better benefits, or a more impressive job title. As long as you stay polite and back up your request with research that proves you deserve more, you can often negotiate a better position.

Career Paths for an Accounts Receivable Analyst

Accounts receivable analyst jobs often teach you the skills you need to become an accounts receivable manager. Many accounts receivable analysts enjoy other similar financial fields as well. If you're willing to get extra training and become certified as an accountant or an actuary, you'll have even more exciting career opportunities.

In addition to financial fields, the accounts receivable analyst position can also help you enter administrative fields. Network with your coworkers and find openings for jobs like an administrative manager or an HR manager. If you're interested in high-level administration, keep in mind that a master's degree or other type of postgraduate education might benefit your career.

Similar Occupations

Many other jobs use similar skills to the accounts receivable analyst position. Here are some other career titles to consider:

• billing specialist
• accounts receivable clerk
• accounts receivable specialist
• financial analyst