JENNIFER SHORTRIDGE
TOLEDO
Summary
Dynamic credit manager with over 20 years of experience in credit and collections, focused on enhancing company receivables through strategic financial management. Proven ability to foster strong customer relationships, resulting in increased loyalty and successful resolution of complex issues. Expertise in navigating challenging situations has led to timely balance payments and sustained viability of client businesses during difficult times. Committed to leveraging skills and experience to contribute positively to organizational success and financial stability.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Accounts Receivable Specialist
The Bostwick-Braun Company Inc.
11.2022 - Current
- Managed accounts receivable to ensure timely collection of outstanding invoices.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients to facilitate payment processes.
- Conducted regular account reconciliations to identify discrepancies and resolve issues promptly.
- Implemented streamlined collection processes that improved operational efficiency and reduced overdue accounts.
- Analyzed aging reports to prioritize collections efforts and strategize follow-up communications.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address billing disputes and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored junior staff on best practices in collections procedures and compliance standards.
- Led initiatives aimed at improving cash flow through effective collections strategies and metrics analysis.
- Facilitated past due invoice payments by sending bill reminders and contacting clients.
- Monitored customer account details for non-payments, delayed payments and customer disputes.
- Verified discrepancies to resolve vendor billing issues.
- Reconciled accounts receivable ledger to account for and properly post payments.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships to deliver exceptional customer service support.
- Generated financial statements and reports to detail accounts receivable status.
Credit and Collections Team Leader, Accounts Receivable
ATLAS OIL COMPANY
03.2003 - 11.2022
- Led team in developing and implementing collection strategies to enhance recovery rates.
- Trained and mentored staff on effective negotiation techniques for optimal client engagement.
- Analyzed collection data to identify trends, improving operational efficiency by refining processes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline the collections workflow and reduce outstanding balances.
- Established performance metrics to evaluate team success and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Managed escalated accounts, ensuring resolution through strategic problem-solving approaches.
- Developed training materials that enhanced team skills in compliance regulations and industry standards.
- Fostered a positive work environment that promoted teamwork, accountability, and high-performance standards.
- Contacted clients with past-due payments and actively monitored payments due from clients.
- Contacted customers to collect outstanding payments via one-time or negotiated installment methods.
- Worked with legal resources and recovery teams to manage default issues.
- Established procedures for collection of past due amounts.
- Researched accounts and completed due diligence to resolve collection problems.
- Supervised staff of collectors, monitoring phone calls and letters.
- Trained and mentored new employees on collection methods, documentation requirements and performance strategies.
- Followed prescribed scripts and maintained friendly but firm attitude with full knowledge of contractual requirements and legal remedies.
- Performed administrative tasks such as recordkeeping, writing correspondence and gathering materials.
- Successfully implemented new technologies and process automations to encourage continuous improvement.
- Supervised invoice processing, purchase orders, expense reports, credit memos and payment transactions.
- Reconciled discrepancies between accounts receivable general ledger account and accounts receivable trial balance account.
- Accessed credit records to evaluate customer credit histories.
- Composed effective accounting reports summarizing accounts payable data.
- Set up and updated customer accounts and CRM with interactions, payments and personal information.
- Completed training in credit management and civil court practices to maintain up-to-date legal knowledge involving collection practices.
- Coded and entered at least [Number] invoices each day into in-house accounting software.
- Implemented robust monitoring systems to ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies while reducing exposure to risk.
- Identified opportunities for early-stage interventions and prevention strategies against future bad debt buildup by sharing insights with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Maintained detailed records of all collection activities; providing transparency into trends, gaps or challenges that required attention from senior leadership teams.
- Prioritized high-value accounts and devised customized collection strategies that balanced the importance of preserving client relationships without compromising on financial returns.
- Boosted collection efficiency by implementing effective team strategies and setting clear goals.
- Facilitated weekly team meetings to discuss progress updates, address challenges, and celebrate successes.
- Coordinated closely with legal teams during litigation processes as needed; ensuring accurate representation of financial matters at hand.
- Established strong relationships with clients by consistently providing exceptional service and support, resulting in higher recovery rates.
- Maximized debt recovery by leveraging strong analytical skills in assessing each debtor''s unique financial situation and crafting tailored repayment plans accordingly.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and providing constructive feedback to drive individual growth.
- Negotiated favorable payment terms with delinquent customers, minimizing losses while maintaining goodwill.
- Drove continuous process improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing resource allocation and workload distribution across the collections team.
- Collected on delinquent accounts to reduce overdue balances.
- Developed strong relationships with customers to foster timely payments and account resolution.
- Delivered exceptional customer service on collection calls and maintained calm and professional demeanor.
Education
Associates Degree - Small Business Management Degree
Owens College
02.1988
Skills
- Accounts receivable management
- Invoice processing
- Collection strategies
- Client relationship management
- Collections strategy development
- Account reconciliation
- Data analysis
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Cash flow improvement
- Credit evaluation
- Financial reporting
- Team leadership
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Customer service excellence
- Credit analysis
- Cash application
- Payment negotiation
- Debt collection
Certification
State of Ohio Notary
Ohio Notary
I am an official State of of Notary.
Timeline
Accounts Receivable Specialist
The Bostwick-Braun Company Inc.
11.2022 - Current
Credit and Collections Team Leader, Accounts Receivable
ATLAS OIL COMPANY
03.2003 - 11.2022
Associates Degree - Small Business Management Degree
Owens College