Associate, Accounts Receivable
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Dole is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruits, with a growing line of quality packaged and frozen foods. Dole’s dedication to quality is a commitment solidly backed by: comprehensive programs for food safety, scientific crop protection programs, stringent quality control measures, state-of-the-art production and transportation technologies, continuous improvement through research and innovation, and dedication to the safety of their employees, communities and the environment.
Job Overview
The Accounts Receivable Associate plays a critical role in ensuring the company maintains a healthy cash flow by managing the timely collection and accurate recording of receivables. This position supports financial stability by reducing outstanding debts, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and minimizing financial risks.Through effective coordination with internal teams and external customers, the role enhances operational efficiency and strengthens the company’s overall financial position.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Growership Accounting (for DFL AR Associate/s)- Monitor and manage receivables related to farm input sales to grower partners
- Coordinate with relevant departments to capture harvest proceeds
- Offset harvest proceeds against outstanding receivables in accordance with accounting policies
- Reconcile balances and report on net positions of growers’ accounts
- Ensure all related entries are recorded accurately in SAP and aligned with financial reporting requirements
- Monitor and manage receivables across various account types, including customers, employees, truckers, related parties, schools/DPS, scrap buyers, and non-trade accounts
- Record and apply customer payments to open invoices, ensuring accurate allocation in SAP.
- Reconcile customer accounts, investigating and resolving payment discrepancies or unapplied cash.
- Monitor and maintain aging reports, ensuring overdue balances are followed up on time.
- Process credit memos, debit notes, and adjustments, ensuring proper documentation and approval.
- Manage cash receipts, ensuring accurate recording and reconciliation of incoming payments.
- Ensure timely distribution of invoices to customers via appropriate channels (email, portals, or physical copies).
- Assist in the preparation of journal entries related to AR transactions, including claims provision.
- Prepare and submit daily cash reports, consolidating cash inflows and outflows across bank accounts.
- Monitor daily cash position and net liquidity to ensure sufficient funds for operational and strategic needs.
- Provide clear visibility on net liquidity by factoring in AR collections, payables, funding requirements, and bank balances.
- Reconcile bank balances with system records to validate available cash and liquidity levels.
- Identify and escalate unusual variances in cash flow or net liquidity to Treasury and Finance leadership.
- Assist in short-term cash and liquidity forecasting by analyzing historical and current collection trends.
- Follow up on outstanding balances through customer calls and coordination with Sales or Business Units.
- Address customer disputes and deduction claims, working with internal teams to resolve issues.
- Escalate high-risk overdue accounts to the appropriate teams for further action.
- Conduct customer calls to discuss outstanding balances, payment schedules, and reconciliation of accounts.
- Generate customer invoices and credit memos based on contract terms, delivery records, or approved billing triggers
- Review and validate billing inputs from upstream teams (Sales, Customer Service, Logistics, Agriculture) to ensure completeness and accuracy
- Ensure timely submission of invoices to customers via email, EDI platforms, or customer portals
- Monitor and troubleshoot failed or rejected invoice transmissions
- Assist with proforma invoices, consolidated billing, and special billing requests as needed
- Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve billing discrepancies and prevent invoice rework
- Perform AR GL-SL (General Ledger-Subsidiary Ledger) Reconciliation to ensure accuracy of AR records.
- Prepare and submit periodic AR reports, balance sheet reconciliation, including aging reports, collection status, and dispute resolution tracking.
- Ensure adherence to internal controls, company policies, and regulatory requirements in all AR processes.
- Analyze collection trends and provide insights to improve cash flow and working capital performance
- Support audit requirements, providing necessary documentation for internal and external audits.
- Collaborate with Finance, Sales, and Customer Service teams to streamline AR processes and enhance customer experience.
- Identify and recommend process improvements, automation, or system enhancements for greater efficiency.
- Provide support in training new team members on AR processes and best practices
- Accounting graduate, CPA, a plus
- Strong practical knowledge of OTC and/or AR internal controls
- Strong knowledge of cash application, bank reconciliation, liquidity reporting, and AR processes.
- At least 3 years of combined experience in accounting and finance, of which at least 2 years in AR and Credit
- Experienced in working in a multinational company or in an SSC/GBS environment
- Solid exposure in process migration and process improvement projects
- Detail oriented, pro-active, able to thrive in a transitioning, high-pressure environment
- Good customer-oriented mindset and interpersonal skills
- Good English communication skills, both written and oral
- Solid practical knowledge and experience in ERP applications (SAP S/4HANA, SAP Fiori)
- Familiarity with SOX controls and audit requirements
- Proficient in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Exposure to process improvement tools (e.g. Lean Six Sigma) an advantage