Job Description

Position Summary:  

The Senior Cash Application Specialist  is responsible for daily planning and oversight of the cash application function to ensure application and resolution of cash discrepancies received through automatic bank posting to the corporate Accounts Receivable system. They serve as a liaison between the cash posters and the A/R management team on basic troubleshooting. This individual will track and report on daily cash and system balancing and make corrections to the Customer Master File, such as name changes and account merges. The Senior Cash Application Specialist handles larger, more complex accounts that require analysis and communication with plants, banks, and/or customers.  Customers that would reside in this position’s portfolio include PCA’s largest customers who may have excess sales >$50MM annually, or on complex payment programs such as Supply Chain Financing or via third party portals and customers who potentially pay across multiple customers under their umbrella of businesses. It would typical for a payment to require detailed reconciliation in excel and then applied in multiple plants across PCA. In addition, this position may be responsible for credit card settlement application, customer refunds, and daily balancing of sales as a back up to the A/R Administrator. 

Dimensions: 

This is a high-volume department, which processes approximately 5,000 checks/ACH payments per week and approximately $110,000,000 to $135,000,000 in payments. The A/R Department also receives about 750-1,000 Helix Support Requests per month that require timely resolution and communication with the plants and Corporate Accounting. 

Principle Accountabilities:  

Supports the team as a liaison or go-to person to help with troubled accounts or basic questions. This role acts as an intermediary between the Cash Posters and the A/R management team 
Accurately process daily cash received within the Oracle on-line system 
Reviews daily checks received via BMO Harris Bank Internet software for discrepancies 
Analyze key remittance data and deductions / discrepancies to accurately reflect the customer’s payment within multiple A/R systems 
Process requests received in Helix from plant personnel for offsets to clear or correct customer accounts 
Process and research Helix tickets for discrepancy transfers from one plant to another 
Review customer remittances that are loaded in Sharepoint to ensure its proper application. 
Process refunds for customers submitted through specific Helix tickets. Refunds at times will require approvals by our Sr. Leadership team and customer or plant interaction to ensure we have all the necessary tax and A/P forms on hand. 
Processes reversals of payment applications in the event the plant submits a ticket. These transactions are extremely complex and requires significant diligence and reconciliation before they are completed 
Serves as back up for daily deposit balancing report comparisons and flagging discrepancies 
Comprehends and performs the processing and reconciliation of credit card settlements received through the bank 
Provide cross-functional support to the A/R team in case of team member absence.  This position requires the individual to have a hands-on approach of all accounts managed and supported within A/R. 
Understands and applies the corporate accounting A/R policies and procedures appropriately 
Adheres to a large number of instructions to readily recognize payment exceptions before merely placing the payment on account 
Supports the creation of new customer codes and merging of customer codes as required 
Communicates with the plants, sales or customer when needed to resolve any payment discrepancy or issue that could create downstream impacts. 
Knows and follows policies and procedures of the company, shares information that would benefit other members of the team, and finds ways to improve the delivery of service to our customers. 
Strives to strengthen PCA’s business philosophy of meeting needs and exceeding expectation for customers.  This includes supporting PCA’s Commitment to Service which involves doing what is right for our customers, focusing on strategies that add value and support growth, and keeping the promises that we make.   

Decision Making: 

Supports team members while out on leave, vacation or sick with additional activities such as customer refund requests, receiving and posting cash receipts, reconciling outstanding account balances, and the maintenance of accurate records and control reports. This position will need to make accurate decisions with cash application and maintaining customer accounts daily based on the existing A/R systems and in accordance with the company policies. Through researching inquires and data analysis across multiple plants and systems, they will determine and obtain adequate back up and approval to process refunds to customers. They must also determine the accuracy of plant requests for maintenance on customer accounts. 

Interactions with Customers and Contacts:   

The Senior Cash Application Specialist will work closely with all members of the corporate finance, accounts payable, tax and treasury and our plants.  The incumbent is expected to build a good working relationship with plant level staff as well as PCA auditors. In addition, it may be necessary to interact with PCA sales team and our customers directly as needed. 

Position Requirements:   

       Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance from an accredited college or university preferred, or 4 years of equivalent work experience.

Minimum of 5-7 years work experience in accounts receivable. 
Ability to quickly learn new computer application programs.  Previous experience with computer software that handles accounts receivable, general ledger preferred. This position would use GEAC accounts receivable and general ledger transactions, banking software, Oracle and be able to handle cash in multiple systems. The A/R departments also supports its own help desk using the Helix application. 
Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Internet, and Outlook preferred. 
Strong organizational skills. 
Able to prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. 
Strong attention to detail. 
Strong mathematical ability, analytical skills, and ability to evaluate entries for accuracy and appropriateness. 
Strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate company policies and procedures related to the Accounts Receivable process. 
Good customer service skills 
Previous work experience as a member of a team, or a strong understanding of the importance of open communication and information sharing between team members.
Able to work overtime as needed.

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