Accounts Receivable SpecialistJob Description

AR Specialists focus on incoming payments, invoicing customers, and collecting outstanding balances to manage revenue. AP Specialists handle outgoing payments, process vendor invoices, and manage company expenses. While both require similar technical skills, AR roles emphasize customer relationship management and collections, while AP focuses on vendor relations and payment accuracy.

Yes, relevant experience can substitute for formal education. Candidates with 3-5 years of hands-on AR experience, strong accounting software proficiency, and proven track record in collections can excel in this role. Consider candidates with associate degrees, accounting certifications, or extensive bookkeeping experience as viable alternatives.

Balance both, but prioritize based on your company's needs. For high-volume transactional environments, emphasize technical accuracy and software proficiency. For businesses with complex client relationships or B2B operations, prioritize communication and customer service skills. The ideal candidate combines both with strong attention to detail.

Provide practical exercises like reconciling a sample aging report, identifying discrepancies in payment records, or role-playing a collection call scenario. Ask candidates to demonstrate Excel skills with pivot tables or VLOOKUP functions. Present case studies involving billing disputes and evaluate their problem-solving approach and communication strategy.

Watch for candidates who lack attention to detail, show poor communication skills, or have frequent job changes without clear progression. Red flags include unfamiliarity with modern accounting software, inability to explain DSO metrics, or discomfort with collection conversations. Verify references specifically regarding accuracy, reliability, and handling of sensitive financial information.