JOHN WILLIAMS
FORT LAUDERDALE
Summary
Was able to reduce DSO by 5-10 days on a average for various companies
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Credit & Collections Specialist
US LBM/Jones Lumber Division
04.2023 - Current
- Handle portfolio of 400 active accounts with balances ranging from $2M to $1 dollars.
- Very busy answering emails and phone calls relating to open balances.
- Work closely with sales staff and upper management.
- DSO maintained to 28 days on an ongoing basis with various terms ranging from N30 to N60.
- Work closely with collection agencies and third-party lien companies.
- Knowledge of construction lien laws and procedures.
- Heavy correspondence relating to lien releases (partial & final).
- Handle bank deposits via bank portal or in person.
- Process credit card payments when customers are not willing to use our payment portal.
- Establish credit holds on past due accounts.
- Release credit holds after payment for past due balance is posted.
- Monthly accounts receivable reporting to upper management.
Credit & Collections Specialist
US LBM/Jones Lumber Division
04.2023 - Current
- Handle portfolio of 400 active accounts with balances ranging from $2M to $1 dollars.
- Very busy answering emails and phone calls relating to open balances.
- Work closely with sales staff and upper management.
- DSO maintained to 28 days on an ongoing basis with various terms ranging from N30 to N60.
- Work closely with collection agencies and third-party lien companies.
- Knowledge of construction lien laws and procedures.
- Heavy correspondence relating to lien releases (partial & final).
- Handle bank deposits via bank portal or in person.
- Process credit card payments when customers are not willing to use our payment portal.
- Establish credit holds on past due accounts.
- Release credit holds after payment for past due balance is posted.
- Monthly accounts receivable reporting to upper management.
Credit & Collections Specialist/Manager
Caesarstone USA
09.2017 - 04.2023
- Managed a staff of 3 accounts receivable specialists (collectors & cash applications).
- Reduced DSO to an acceptable level and maintained it during my tenure.
- Responsible for a portfolio of accounts that generated 120 million dollars per year.
- Worked hand in hand with branch managers in 20 locations throughout the country to ensure that all receivables were collected according to terms.
- Prepared accounts receivables reports, according to upper management specifications.
- Reviewed credit applications for accuracy and then proceeded to investigate creditworthiness using several accounting tools. Approved terms based on findings.
- Worked with branch managers and their staff in 20 locations regarding short payments due to returned merchandise, pricing discrepancies, discounts, etc.
- Created new accounts based on information received from the branches. Accounts were either created as cash on delivery or open terms based on creditworthiness.
- Assigned credit lines on all newly created accounts and reviewed, regularly, established accounts for increases or decreases.
- Coached the team on collection techniques or other subjects related to their duties.
- Created excel worksheets, which outlined all collection efforts on 4,000 active accounts with balances.
- Received a high volume of calls from internal and external customers.
- Communicated potential bad debt customers to upper management on a timely basis and worked hand in hand with the sales department in order to mitigate losses.
- Generated and sent bad debt report to upper management on a monthly and yearly basis.
- Collaborated with collection agencies in order to maximize receivables recovery.
- Interacted with attorneys in legal matters.
- Ensured that all account discrepancies were addressed on a timely basis.
- Assisted staff with account reconciliation when necessary.
- Supervised the daily bank deposits.
- Supervised the daily application of payments to ensure accurate postings.
- Negotiated payment arrangements.
Credit & Collections Specialist/Manager
Caesarstone USA
09.2017 - 04.2023
- Managed a staff of 3 accounts receivable specialists (collectors & cash applications).
- Reduced DSO to an acceptable level and maintained it during my tenure.
- Responsible for a portfolio of accounts that generated 120 million dollars per year.
- Worked hand in hand with branch managers in 20 locations throughout the country to ensure that all receivables were collected according to terms.
- Prepared accounts receivables reports, according to upper management specifications.
- Reviewed credit applications for accuracy and then proceeded to investigate creditworthiness using several accounting tools. Approved terms based on findings.
- Worked with branch managers and their staff in 20 locations regarding short payments due to returned merchandise, pricing discrepancies, discounts, etc.
- Created new accounts based on information received from the branches. Accounts were either created as cash on delivery or open terms based on creditworthiness.
- Assigned credit lines on all newly created accounts and reviewed, regularly, established accounts for increases or decreases.
- Coached the team on collection techniques or other subjects related to their duties.
- Created excel worksheets, which outlined all collection efforts on 4,000 active accounts with balances.
- Received a high volume of calls from internal and external customers.
- Communicated potential bad debt customers to upper management on a timely basis and worked hand in hand with the sales department in order to mitigate losses.
- Generated and sent bad debt report to upper management on a monthly and yearly basis.
- Collaborated with collection agencies in order to maximize receivables recovery.
- Interacted with attorneys in legal matters.
- Ensured that all account discrepancies were addressed on a timely basis.
- Assisted staff with account reconciliation when necessary.
- Supervised the daily bank deposits.
- Supervised the daily application of payments to ensure accurate postings.
- Negotiated payment arrangements.
Credit & Collections Specialist
American Express
06.2009 - 08.2017
- Heavy interaction with customers regarding account balance and inquiries.
- Handled on an average 80 calls daily (inbound/outbound). Collected on all calls made and received.
- Reduced high balances in order to facilitate additional credit.
- Provided important information to all customers so that they could make informed decisions.
- Coached other team members in customer service, decision making, and collections techniques.
- Negotiated payment options for outstanding balances while providing excellent customer service.
- Assisted customer with the reconciliation of their accounts.
- Handled very challenging situations with minimal escalation.
- Performed all duties at 100% efficiency under strict company policies and government regulations.
Credit & Collections Specialist
American Express
06.2009 - 08.2017
- Heavy interaction with customers regarding account balance and inquiries.
- Handled on an average 80 calls daily (inbound/outbound). Collected on all calls made and received.
- Reduced high balances in order to facilitate additional credit.
- Provided important information to all customers so that they could make informed decisions.
- Coached other team members in customer service, decision making, and collections techniques.
- Negotiated payment options for outstanding balances while providing excellent customer service.
- Assisted customer with the reconciliation of their accounts.
- Handled very challenging situations with minimal escalation.
- Performed all duties at 100% efficiency under strict company policies and government regulations.
Education
High School Diploma - General
Junction City HS
Junction City, KS06-1976
Skills
Oracle
Catalyst
Bistrack
SAP
AS400
Sage
Excel
Word
Power Point
Outlook
Excellent keyboard ability
60 WPM typing ability
Excellent customer service
Excellent communication skills
Negotiation skills
Goal oriented
Credit analysis
Debt negotiation
Skip tracing
Legal compliance
Collection strategies
Payment monitoring
Credit reporting
Active listening
Decision-making
Relationship building
Goals and performance
Call center experience
Outbound calling
Collections
Account review
Account reconciliation
Customer research
Credit and collections
Finance
Collection agency relations
Teamwork
Teamwork and collaboration
Customer service
Problem-solving
Time management
Attention to detail
Problem-solving abilities
Excellent communication
Critical thinking
Clear communication
Organizational skills
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Credit & Collections Specialist
US LBM/Jones Lumber Division
04.2023 - Current
Credit & Collections Specialist
US LBM/Jones Lumber Division
04.2023 - Current
Credit & Collections Specialist/Manager
Caesarstone USA
09.2017 - 04.2023
Credit & Collections Specialist/Manager
Caesarstone USA
09.2017 - 04.2023
Credit & Collections Specialist
American Express
06.2009 - 08.2017
Credit & Collections Specialist
American Express
06.2009 - 08.2017
High School Diploma - General
Junction City HS