Lura Odden
Collierville,United States
Summary
Strategic and resourceful finance professional with a career history of managing credit and accounts receivable operations. Known for exceptional skills in collections, customer service, problem resolution, and training. Proven ability to evaluate and respond to rapidly changing market environments. Experienced in preparing internal reports, maintaining relationships with customers, and providing technical guidance. Strong leadership abilities with a background in mentoring and managing staff. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounts Receivable Manager
Mimeo.com, Inc.
09.2023 - Current
- Manage the cash application process, ensuring that all cash receipts are applied correctly and in a timely manner
- Prepare internal reports to measure collection effectiveness index, AR Aging KPIs, and DSO to monitor and evaluate the efficiency of the accounts receivable function
- Conduct regular reviews of accounts receivable and general ledger entries to ensure their accuracy and discuss any issues that may impact the integrity of financial data
- Maintain effective and cooperative relationships with customers and sales teams, providing exceptional customer service regarding collection issues, refund requests, and resolving discrepancies
- Monitor and maintain the financial integrity of accounts receivable accounts
- Provide technical and administrative guidance and assistance to staff, fostering proactive problem resolution
- Improve collections of receivables and streamline the flow of billing information between program staff, billing team, and the Accounting/Finance department.
Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist
Creative Co-op
10.2022 - 09.2023
- Reconciled accounts receivable ledger to verify payments and resolve variances.
- Prepared and mailed invoices to customers, processed payments, and documented account updates.
- Reviewed accounts on monthly basis to assess aging and pursue collection of funds.
- Followed up overdue payments and payment plans from clients to establish good cash flow.
- Negotiated payment arrangements with customers to establish timely receipt of payments.
- Monitored accounts to verify compliance with payment terms and schedules.
- Effectively communicated with clients about payment needs and kept updated, detailed and accurate ledgers.
- Entered figures using 10-key calculator to compute data quickly.
- Managed and responded to correspondence and inquiries from customers and vendors.
AR Supervisor and Vendor Payables Supervisor
United Recovery and Remarketing
08.2016 - 10.2022
- Managed a multi-million-dollar receivables portfolio for five repossession companies, overseeing national and international accounts in Mexico and Guam
- Provided weekly and monthly reporting ensuring accurate and up-to-date financial information
- Oversaw ACH wire transfers and conducted bank reconciliations for Impounds, ensuring timely and accurate processing of payments
- Conducted thorough research on credit card transactions, promptly identifying and resolving any discrepancies or issues
- Investigated and reported on all short payments and customer issues, ensuring timely resolution
- Maintained a monthly DSO 'Days Sales Outstanding' of 5% or less, optimizing cash flow and minimizing outstanding receivables
- Utilized effective communication skills through phone calls and emails to resolve problems and address customer inquiries, maintaining positive client relationships
- Trained and mentored colleagues on department-wide processes and procedures, promoting efficiency and adherence to best practices
- Reviewed and made payment decisions on vendor invoices
- Reconciled daily AR ledger and verified proper posting.
- Completed daily process adjustments to maintain accuracy.
- Updated aging reports based on daily audits.
Credit and Collections Team Lead
Inland Intermodal Services
01.2012 - 08.2016
- Supervised a team of 5 collectors, providing motivation, training, and leadership guidance
- Managed an $18 million portfolio, overseeing accounts in various statuses including past due, current, and charge off
- Developed and analyzed reports to optimize strategies and resource allocation for maximum effectiveness
- Offered daily feedback and coaching to employees, documenting monthly planning guides and conducting account reviews
- Prepared monthly and daily reports for executive management and clients
- Handled escalated calls from clients, ensuring prompt and satisfactory resolution
- Successfully reduced the Days Sales Outstanding 'DSO' by 50% for Gulf Intermodal Services.
Collection Team Lead
NYK Services, Inc
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Managed the North American collections of Import and Export goods, overseeing a portfolio of $180 million in receivables
- Developed and implemented best practices, policies, and procedures, resulting in streamlined departmental operations
- Successfully supervised a team of 9 direct reports, each managing portfolios of no less than $11 million
- Promoted to Collection Team Lead within the last 12 months of tenure
- Ensuring timely decision-making in light of business outsourcing to Manila
- Personally handled collections for over 650 accounts, totaling $18 million
- Conducted reconciliation and reporting to large customers and executive management on accounts, payments, and cash receipts
- Assisted in Cash Applications.
Credit and Collections Specialist
Hunter Fan Company
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Spearheaded all facets of credit and collections department for Casablanca division
- Determined and instituted credit limits and regulations for a $16 million global multi-division industry leader
- Interfaced with sales and customers to develop relationships and produce repeat business
- Reorganized the Casablanca collection process and reporting, resulting in improved efficiency
- Managed 600 plus accounts for the division, maintaining a past due percentage of 5%
- Forged a key partnership with Sales Department to launch comprehensive tactics targeting high-profile customers
- Decreased permanent debts by $1 million
- Orchestrated the development of a new credit application
- Assisted in Cash Applications.
Education
Associates of Science - Business Administration
Bethel University
McKenzie, TN05.2017
Skills
- Reconciliation
- Leadership
- Relationship Management
- Process Improvement
- Problem Resolution
- Customer Relations
- Credit Card
- Mentoring
- Coaching
- Credit Analysis
- Operations
- Customer Service
- Project Management
- DSO
- Cash Applications
- Documentation
- Logistics
- Supervision
- Reporting
- Account Review
- Escalation Handling
- Best Practices
- Portfolio Management
- Credit Management
- Team Management
- ACH Transfers
- ACH Payments
- ACH Processing
- Resourceful
- Strategic
- Statement preparation
- Accounts Receivable
- Account Reconciliation
- Collections expertise
- Team Building Leadership
- Prioritizing and Planning
- Relationship Building
- Willing to Learn
- Decision-Making
- Sales Support
- Professionalism
- Active Listening
- In-Depth Research
- Excellent Communication
- Interpersonal Communication
Awards
- Employee of the month, April 2020, United Recovery and Remarketing, Recognized for contributions to the Vendor Payables team.
- Volunteer of the month, February 2020, Life Church Memphis, Recognized for contributions in Leadership.
- Employee of the month, February 2017, United Recovery and Remarketing, Recognized for outstanding leadership in collections.
- Collector of the week, June 2010, NYK Services, Recognized for top collections for several weeks in a row.
Timeline
Accounts Receivable Manager
Mimeo.com, Inc.
09.2023 - Current
Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist
Creative Co-op
10.2022 - 09.2023
AR Supervisor and Vendor Payables Supervisor
United Recovery and Remarketing
08.2016 - 10.2022
Credit and Collections Team Lead
Inland Intermodal Services
01.2012 - 08.2016
Collection Team Lead
NYK Services, Inc
01.2009 - 01.2012
Credit and Collections Specialist
Hunter Fan Company
01.2005 - 01.2009
Associates of Science - Business Administration
Bethel University
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