Accounts Rec. Associate BESC

Americold is a global provider of temperature-controlled infrastructure.  We partner with farmers and food producers to ensure their perishable and frozen product reaches food suppliers, restaurants, and your local grocery store without spoilage.  Our customers, which include some of the most respected brands in the food industry, rely on our expertise and commitment to safety to deliver on their commitments.

We are seeking a proactive and dynamic Spanish and English-speaking Accounts Receivable Associate to join our team in creating a new European Service Support Center in the heart of Barcelona, Spain. The Center will deliver high quality Finance support services for Americold operations across Europe. By leveraging best practices and technology, we aim to create a collaborative environment that fosters growth and development.

Whilst focusing on Accounts Receivable, the ideal candidate will also have experience in Accounts Payable as they may be asked to support that area too on occasion. This role is critical to support Americold’s growth across all Europe.

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Receivable Management:

• Oversee customer accounts to ensure efficient and effective account receivable operation.

• Monitor collections and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.

Collections Management:

• Follow up with clients regarding overdue invoices through phone calls, emails, and written correspondence.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients to facilitate timely payments.

Reconciliation:

• Reconcile accounts receivable balances and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly aging reports and analyze overdue accounts.

Cash Application: 

• Process incoming payments and apply them to the appropriate accounts.
• Monitor and manage payment discrepancies and resolve issues promptly.

Dispute Management:

• Gather relevant documentation and information from all parties involved.
• Maintain clear and open lines of communication throughout the dispute resolution process.
• Document all aspects of the dispute and the resolution process.

Compliance and Audit:

• Maintain organized and accurate records of all account receivable transactions.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and relevant regulations.
• Provide information to internal audit and external audit as requested from time to time

Reporting and Analytics:

• Generate and analyze accounts receivable reports, including aging reports and cash flow projections.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal departments, such as billing and in-country finance teams, to ensure seamless operations.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency of accounts receivable operations.
• Stay updated on accounting software and best practices in accounts receivable management.

Assist with AP Activities: 

• Process invoice receipt and booking.

  • Obtain necessary approvals from the different departments.

  • Communicate with suppliers to resolve possible invoice issues.

  • Conduct regular reconciliations of accounts payable to the general ledger.

• Generate weekly/ monthly payment proposal.

• Perform month End checks and adhere to established KPIs.

Key Qualifications

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in Spanish and English is required; Dutch and any other additional European languages are a plus.

• Ideally a bachelor's degree and/or Finance qualifications and training

• Proven experience in accounts receivable or a similar financial role.

• Skills:

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy 

  • Ability to identify discrepancies and resolve issues efficiently and pro-actively

  • Excellent organizational skills managing multiple tasks and deadlines.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues.
• Strong collaboration skills across diverse, multicultural teams.

• Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet applications. Knowledge of financial ERPs such as SAP and/or Oracle is a plus.

• Location: Barcelona 22@. (This position offers a hybrid work policy 3+2).