Accounts Receivable Manager

Please note: This is a hyrbird position. You will be expected to work from the office in Alpharetta, GA, three days a week, and work form home two days a week.

Education is ever-evolving. And so are we.

We seek passionate people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to helping improve the work of schools as a trusted partner in advancing learning. By joining the Cognia team, you will be immersed in a community of energetic and resourceful people dedicated to a common vision to impact and inspire education providers to advance and enable pathways of success for all learners. At Cognia we have developed a holistic approach to education that empowers schools to create real outcomes and optimize learning for students of all backgrounds, servicing more than 36,000 institutions, 5 million teachers, and 25 million students in 85 countries. When you join Cognia, you join a team of experts passionate about our mission and embracing our core values in everything we do.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Accounts Receivable Manager serves as a member of the Accounting/Finance team under the direction of the Controller. This position is responsible for managing the day-to-day Accounts Receivable (A/R) operations by overseeing all aspects of Cognia's accounts receivable process, including managing the billing team, collecting outstanding payments, resolving billing discrepancies, monitoring customer collection accounts and aged receivables, and ensuring timely revenue collection, while maintaining strong customer relationships and optimizing the efficiency of the accounts receivable department.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

Team Management:

• Lead and supervise a team of accounts receivable specialists, assigning tasks, monitoring performance, and providing coaching to ensure efficient collection practices.

Billing and Invoicing:

• Oversee the accurate and timely generation of invoices to customers, ensuring correct pricing and billing details. This includes annual mass billing processes.
• Review and analyze customer open receivables to identify trends/root causes and make recommendation to resolve exceptions.
• Submit all qualifying accounts for yearly bad debt write off to the Controller for approval.
• Manage and support the preparation and posting of assigned reconciliations.

Collections:

• Develop and implement strategies to collect outstanding payments from customers, including contacting delinquent accounts, negotiating payment plans, and escalating overdue invoices when necessary.
• Initiate oversight or direct contact regarding past due customer accounts and research disputed amounts as needed to determine the cause and validity of the delinquency. Take appropriate actions (invoice resend, PO number updates, basic invoicing explanations, etc.) to resolve and/or identify significant collection issues and escalate appropriately.

Financial Reporting:

• Prepare and analyze accounts receivable reports, identify trends and areas for improvement, and communicate key metrics to management.

Customer Relationship Management:

• Maintain positive relationships with customers by addressing billing inquiries, resolving disputes, and providing timely customer service.

Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to streamline accounts receivable processes, implement automation tools, and optimize efficiency.
• Participate in process improvement projects and support other management directives as prescribed.

Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to all relevant accounting standards and regulations regarding accounts receivable practices.
• Manage audit requirements and lead the annual audit process related to the A/R function.

Other:

• Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Associate's degree in accounting or related filed required; Bachelor's preferred, and three (3) to five (5) years of accounts receivable experience to include two (2) years of experience managing processes and teams within Accounts Receivable; or combined education and experience required
• Proven experience managing accounts receivable teams in a business environment required
• Proficiency in accounting software and data analysis tools; preferably Oracle NetSuite required

Competencies:

• Detailed oriented with a great customer service focus
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills to effectively interact with customers and internal stakeholders
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and timely completion of tasks
• Leadership abilities to motivate and manage a team
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Exercises judgement within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action
• Ability to deliver high degree of accuracy when posting transactions
• Ability to organize, manage and implement multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work and communicate effectively using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint and other software and web-based applications
• Follows in all respects the Cognia code of ethics
• Fosters positive and collaborative working relationships within the Finance Division and across the organization to accomplish organization-wide goals
• Ability to understand complex problems and to collaborate and explore issues and to negotiate and integrate different viewpoints
• Ability to compose materials such as detailed reports, work-related manuals, publications of limited scope or impact, etc., and to make presentations outside the immediate work area

Anticipated Travel (may include local or national):

• Limited travel (0-10%)
• Travel to Annual All Staff Company Meeting required

At Cognia, we recognize the critical role played by our teams in carrying out the organization's important educational mission. As a reflection of that recognition our exceptional benefits offerings include generous paid time off and holiday breaks, comprehensive insurance plans, and a 12.5% retirement savings contribution which is immediately vested, all effective on your date of hire. This represents an affirmative commitment by the organization to attract and retain the highest quality workforce - to ensure our continued ability to effectively serve our mission for years to come.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. Cognia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.