Accounts Receivable Jobs Overview

Finding accounts receivable jobs may be a rewarding career choice if you are good with numbers, enjoy working with money, and take pride in assisting companies in maintaining financial health. Common job titles for someone working in accounts receivable include:

• Accounts receivable clerk: An accounts receivable clerk bills clients for goods, manages and updates customer data files, collects customer payments, generates invoices, verifies transactions by collaborating with other departments, and resolves account discrepancies.
• Accounts receivable manager: An accounts receivable manager supervises accounting personnel, maintains and improves sustained cash flow, manages collections, prepares and presents reports, and performs aggressive monitoring of all financial accounts.
• Accounts receivable specialist: An accounts receivable specialist invoices orders, collects payments, reviews and resolves account issues, monitors all incoming payments, maintains billing records, negotiates payment arrangements, and produces accounting reports for all departments.
• Bookkeeper: A bookkeeper helps business owners keep track of their financial accounts by managing transactions, recording and sharing financial data with the supervisors, producing reports, and resolving issues.
• Staff accountant: A staff accountant prepares reports, manages accounts payable and receivable files, and ensures compliance with all tax obligations.
• Forensic accountant: A forensic accountant investigates fraud, testifies as an expert witness during trials and legal hearings, analyzes complex financial records, assists in risk management, provides litigation support, and helps develop computer applications to ensure better compliance with tax and legal requirements.
• Medical billing specialist: A medical billing specialist assists medical facilities with collecting payments from patients and insurance providers, calculates payments, submits bills, creates medical transcriptions, updates patient information, and resolves client issues.
• Accounting consultant: An accounting consultant verifies and process transactions, generate reports, communicate with lenders and customers, and assist with all accounting activities by recording and analyzing financial information.
• Accounting coordinator: An accounting coordinator oversees all the accounting department, develops and maintains accounts payable and receivable records, shares information between internal departments and the accounting department, and performs other administrative tasks.
• Payroll clerk: A payroll clerk collects timesheets, calculates wages, issues paychecks, manages payment issues, updates payroll records, and creates payroll reports.

Accounts receivable professionals help businesses invoice, receive, and track money for the goods and services they sell. They perform various tasks, including securing revenue, posting receipts, monitoring payments, processing transactions, billing clients, processing credit card information, and maintaining accounting records.

People in accounts receivable usually work in office-like settings but may have to travel to job sites to check books and review accounting practices. There are both part-time and full-time positions available. Some employers require their accounts receivable personnel to possess specific certifications or accounting degrees, while others require no formal education and provide on-the-job training.

Accounts Receivable Job: Salary Range

The median salary for an accounts payable or receivable manager is $58,868 a year. New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; and Las Vegas, NV, have the highest demand for accounts receivable workers.

The salary for accounts receivable jobs greatly depends on the role and location. You can use the Monster Salary Tool to explore the salary range of accounts receivable careers.

Typical salaries for accounts receivable jobs are:

• payroll manager - $73,178
• accounts receivable/payable specialist - $41,692
• billing supervisor - $48,390
• accounting supervisor - $67,823
• accounts receivable/payable clerk - $37,417

Finding Your Ideal Job

Begin your hunt for accounts receivable jobs by setting career goals. Is this a career field you will pursue for the rest of your life? If so, you can earn certifications to broaden your career options. As you read through different job descriptions, ask yourself:

• Does the job match my level of expertise and qualifications?
• Will I need additional training?
• Does the job description mention paying for certification and ongoing professional development?
• What do I like most about the position?
• What do I like least about the job?

Many accounts receivable positions require an accounting degree and certification. Finding an employer ready to pay for your education or certification is a great way to speed up your career advancement and increase your salary.

Accounts Receivable Application Advice

When applying for a position in this field, it's essential to have an impressive accounts receivable resume and cover letter. The following tips can help improve your application and your chances of getting hired.

Prepare for the Application Process

A successful hiring process starts before you perfect your resume and cover letter. Use these tips for applying to accounts receivable jobs:

• Read the job description and highlight all the required skills and qualifications.
• Include relevant skills and qualifications in your resume and cover letter.
• Make sure you follow all application guidelines.

Create a Strong Accounts Receivable Resume

Write a tailored resume to communicate your accounts receivable professional skills effectively. Consider using one of these formats:

• A reverse-chronological resume is a straightforward list that draws attention to your most recent accomplishments.
• A combination resume emphasizes both experience and qualifications.
• A functional resume focuses solely on your skills, while the chronological format highlights your professional history and starts with your first employer.

Add resume keywords to ensure the hiring manager understands your qualifications and help the document pass applicant tracking system (ATS) conditions. Some of the best keywords for an accounts receivable resume include:

• A/R collections
• collection management
• reconciling
• Microsoft Office
• Excel
• accounting principles
• invoice generation
• time management
• payroll
• general ledger

You can use this accounts receivable resume sample for inspiration. Consider using Monster's Resume Writing Service to ensure your resume makes a great first impression.

Attach a Cover Letter

Some hiring managers don't request a cover letter. However, writing cover letters can help you land accounts receivable jobs. In the accounts receivable cover letter that you create, include the following:

• An overview of your background in accounting.
• Why you're excited about the company and role.
• Why you'll be great at the job.

Submit the Application

You can join Monster to start applying for open accounts receivable jobs. Add your cover letter and resume to your profile, hit the "Submit" button, and your profile will go live for recruiters to check. When recruiters find you qualify for open positions, they will contact you for an interview.

You can search the job boards for open accounts receivable jobs. When you find a job you're interested in, hit the “Apply” button to send your resume, cover letter, and application to the hiring manager.

Application Follow-Up

Always give hiring managers five to seven business days to review your application. You can contact for an update if you don't hear anything back.

How to Do an Application Follow-Up

A follow-up email five to seven business days after sending an application is a great way to show your sincere interest in the position. Review the application's guidelines to find the hiring manager's email address. In the follow-up email that you send, make sure to explain:

• Your gratitude for considering you for the position.
• Why you want to work for the company and in the role.
• The skills and qualifications that make you a good fit.
• Your willingness to answer questions about your credentials, skills, and experience.

Accounts Receivable Interview Tips

To land accounts receivable jobs, you must make a great first impression on the recruiter and hiring manager. This advice can help!

Prepare for the Interview

Visit the employer's website to research its culture and management style. Take a moment to consider whether your work habits and ethics align with the employer's and the position you want to fill. To boost your chances of landing the job, use this advice:

• Do practice interviews with a family member or friend.
• Research the pay rates for similar job positions.
• Print documentation to back up any claims you want to use for negotiating your salary if you get offered the position.
• Research the interviewer.

Understanding the Interview Process

When you get invited to an interview, ask whether the interview is competency- or behavior-based. The purpose of a competency interview is to gauge relevant skills and experience. Behavioral interview questions examine how you approach problems on the job and how well you collaborate with others. Take advantage of this guidance while you get ready for interviews for accounts receivable jobs:

• Read this article on the STAR method to prepare for behavioral interviews.
• Prepare yourself with this competency-based interview advice for interviews focusing on your skills and qualifications.
• Dress in casual business attire.

Perform an Interview Follow-Up

If you are still waiting to hear back from the employer within a week of your interview, reach out for an update. Also, send a thank-you note to establish a positive rapport with the interviewer and hiring manager. Send the handwritten note or email within 24 hours after your interview. The card should highlight your interest in the position and show gratitude for the interview.

Accepting Job Offers

Avoid accepting job offers right away. Instead, carefully read through them several times. Before accepting, use this advice:

• Read the offer at least twice, and don't forget the fine print.
• Write down any inconsistencies between the job offer and what you spoke about with the interviewer.
• Contact the employer for clarification.
• Use your salary research documentation to negotiate your salary.

Career Paths for Accounts Receivable Professionals

Accounts receivable professionals have many career paths to choose from. Some of the most popular are:

• Front office manager: A front office manager provides customer service, coordinates front office affairs, schedules shifts, handles all financial transactions, generates invoices, and prepares monthly reports.
• Collections specialist: A collections specialist reviews accounts, collects late payments from clients, speaks with vendors and clients about payment plans, contacts overdue clients, and lowers the overall number of accounts receivables.
• National account manager: A national account manager develops sales goals, analyzes sales data, mediates communications between sales and marketing teams, ensures brand awareness, negotiates contracts, and collects payments.

Accounts Receivable: Related Professions

Are accounts receivable jobs for you? Here are some other jobs to consider:

• mortgage collector
• tax collector
• bill collector
• collection agent
• collections analyst