Leah Dodd
Eaton
Work Preference
Summary
High-achieving professional enthusiastic about streamlining collections processes and improving billing procedures. Knowledgeable about non-payments, short pays, errors, and reporting requirements.
Energetic professional successful at motivating and building positive team dynamics to accomplish aggressive goals. Dedicated to open, communicative culture where employees feel empowered to contribute to company's success.
Overview
3
3
years of post-secondary education
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Collections Manager (B2B)
Collins Aerospace (formerly UTC Aerospace)
09.2019 - Current
- Managed collections processes for aerospace clients ensuring compliance with company standards.
- Developed training materials for team members on collection strategies and best practices.
- Oversaw account reconciliations to maintain accurate financial records and reporting.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address customer inquiries and resolve disputes.
- Conducted regular meetings with team members to review performance and set goals.
- Trained new staff members on proper collection techniques, policies, and procedures.
- Identified potential areas of improvement in collections process and implemented changes accordingly.
- Provided guidance to junior staff members on how to handle difficult customer situations.
- Negotiated payment plans with customers in arrears or at risk of defaulting on payments.
- Responded to customer inquiries about billing issues, account status, and payment options.
- Reached out to customers to discuss late payments and options for remitting amounts due.
- Analyzed customer payment trends and developed strategies to reduce overdue accounts.
- Resolved escalated disputes between customers and the company concerning collections matters.
- Collaborated with legal department to initiate litigation against delinquent customers when necessary.
- Performed research and due diligence to resolve issues.
- Researched and resolved billing and invoice problems.
- Updated accounts with documentation of interactions and current information.
- Worked closely with sales teams to ensure proper invoicing processes were followed.
- Researched, evaluated and resolved discrepancies and customer concerns.
- Reviewed credit applications for accuracy before extending credit terms.
- Stayed professional, and provided exceptional service on calls, even when interacting with difficult individuals.
- Notified customers of delinquent accounts with attempt to collect outstanding amounts.
- Arranged for debt repayment and established repayment schedule based on customer finances.
- Created and distributed updated customer statements.
- Recorded information about customers' financial status and collections status efforts.
- Reviewed accounts to determine payment plan compliance.
- Collaborated with legal department officials on bankruptcy cases for management of proceedings and post-petition payments.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients to facilitate payment collections.
- Monitored aging reports to prioritize collection efforts on overdue accounts.
- Provided training and guidance to new collections staff on best practices and company policies.
- Conducted credit risk assessments on new and existing customers.
- Educated debtors on the importance of credit health and the consequences of non-payment.
Credit Collections Specialist
UTC Aerospace Systems
08.2013 - 09.2019
- Managed customer accounts to ensure timely collection of outstanding payments.
- Communicated with clients regarding payment terms and overdue invoices.
- Reviewed account statements to identify discrepancies and resolve issues.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline collections processes.
- Reconciled accounts receivable ledger to ensure accuracy of balance due.
- Participated in weekly meetings with management team to discuss collection progress and performance metrics.
- Initiated collection calls to past-due customers in accordance with company policy.
- Assisted with training new staff members on the collection process and best practices.
- Reviewed credit history of customers to determine their ability to pay outstanding balances.
- Investigated and resolved customer inquiries regarding billing errors or discrepancies.
- Recorded information about customers' financial status and collections status efforts.
Cash Application Specialist
UTC Aerospace Systems
06.2013 - 08.2013
- Processed cash applications for customer payments accurately and efficiently.
- Resolved discrepancies in payment transactions through detailed investigation.
- Collaborated with finance teams to reconcile accounts and ensure accuracy.
- Supported audits by providing necessary documentation and reports as needed.
- Investigated returned items such as NSF checks or incorrect payments.
- Developed strong relationships with internal departments such as Sales, Accounting, Credit and Collections teams.
- Ensured accuracy of payments received by researching remittance information from customers' documents.
- Reviewed and applied customer payments to accounts using Lockbox, ACH, checks and wire transfers.
- Applied knowledge of accounting principles when processing complex transactions.
- Assisted with month end closing activities related to cash application.
- Worked closely with Accounts Receivable team to ensure timely resolution of any issues or discrepancies related to cash application process.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Accounting
Edison Community College
Piqua , OH 01.2008 - 05.2011
Skills
- Collections strategy
- Payment negotiations
- Account reconciliation
- Credit risk assessment
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Billing disputes resolution
- Customer relationship management
- Performance management
- Team training and development
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication
- Employee retention
- Empathy and tactfulness
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Collections Manager (B2B)
Collins Aerospace (formerly UTC Aerospace)
09.2019 - Current
Credit Collections Specialist
UTC Aerospace Systems
08.2013 - 09.2019
Cash Application Specialist
UTC Aerospace Systems
06.2013 - 08.2013
Associate of Applied Science - Accounting
Edison Community College
01.2008 - 05.2011