Position summary The Staff Accountant / AR Specialist keeps the general ledger and the receivables sub-ledger accurate and current for all five branches. Half of the role is transactional accounting (journal entries, reconciliations, month-end support); the other half is order-to-cash: billing review, cash application, collections follow-up and customer account maintenance. The role is the first line of contact for customer payment questions. Location Detroit, MI (on-site, with occasional branch visits) Reports to Controller Supports
MI, CA, OH FLSA
status Recommend non-exempt (hourly) unless duties are confirmed to meet an exemption; confirm with counsel or HR Employment type Full-time Key responsibilities Accounts receivable ( Apply customer payments (checks, ACH, wire, lockbox) daily and resolve unapplied cash and short-pays. Review invoices and credit memos from branches for accuracy, coding and required backup before posting. Run collection cadence on assigned accounts: reminder calls and emails, promise-to-pay tracking, dispute logging and escalation to branch managers and the Controller. Prepare the weekly AR aging and flag past-due, COD and credit-hold accounts to the branches. Maintain customer master data, credit applications, tax-exemption certificates and terms. Support the borrowing base process by providing clean aging, identifying ineligible or disputed items and tying the AR sub-ledger to the GL. Prepare bad-debt and write-off recommendations for approval. General accounting and close Prepare and post recurring and routine journal entries, accruals and prepaid amortizations. Reconcile assigned balance sheet accounts (bank, AR control, deposits, clearing accounts) and clear reconciling items within the close calendar. Post and reconcile branch cash deposits and inter-branch transactions. Assist with sales tax and use tax reporting, and 1099 data as assigned. Support month-end close checklists, flux analysis inputs and audit PBC requests. Branch support and process Serve as the finance point of contact for branch office staff on billing, deposits and customer account questions. Document procedures and flag process breaks or control gaps to the Controller. Cover for the Controller and AP as needed during vacations and close peaks. Qualifications and expectations Required Bachelors degree in Accounting 3 to 5 years of accounting experience with hands-on AR or collections exposure. Working knowledge of debits and credits, reconciliations and month-end close. Advanced Excel (lookups, pivot tables, formulas). Clear phone and email communication, and comfort holding firm but professional collection conversations. Preferred Experience in a multi-location or equipment, distribution or industrial business. ERP experience Exposure to borrowing base or asset-based lending Core competencies Accuracy and attention to detail; ownership of open items through resolution; time management against a fixed close calendar; discretion with financial and customer data; and the ability to ask branches for missing backup without friction. Excellent customer service skills. First 90 days Learn the close calendar and own the assigned reconciliations by the second close. Take over daily cash application with unapplied cash held under an agreed threshold. Deliver the weekly AR aging on time and contact all accounts past an agreed number of days past due. Working conditions Office-based in Detroit with a standard weekday schedule.
Pay:
Up to $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Disability insurance Health insurance Health savings account Paid time off Vision insurance