BSAPT - Receivable Accountant Officer

Bridgestone is dedicated to "serving society with superior quality." Our mission and values ensure world-class customer service and inspire us to be an outstanding corporate citizen in the communities in which we live and work.

Our engineers push the boundaries of what’s possible to improve performance, safety and quality. Like you, we’re driven to be the best. And it starts with our passion for innovation.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Accounts Receivable Team Leader – the Receivables Accountant is responsible for all assigned tasks to ensure that the Service Center supports our customers with high quality services.  The main activities include establishing customer credit limits, clearing of customer payments, maintenance of customer master data, reconciling and resolving uncleared payments, collecting payment for overdue invoices, and managing queries from the business or customers.

The role will primarily focus on carrying out transactional accounting activities in line with group accounting guidelines with a focus on accuracy, speed and timeliness.

Responsibilities

Maintain Customer Master Data

• Creation of new customer accounts and the management of existing customer accounts (e.g. completeness and accuracy of all customer master data fields)

Cash Allocation and Reconciling Customer Accounts

• Facilitate the Accounts Receivable payments matching process, ensuring that exceptions are followed until fully reconciled against customer accounts, and maintaining clear documentation
• Review and action credit balances on customer accounts
• Prepare and when necessary, mail reconciliations to customers regarding their account

Customer Credit Management

• Support the assessment of new and existing customers for credit risk – completing credit checks and review limits in line with group policy
• Review blocked customers and carry out appropriate actions, working with local Credit teams in assessing customer risk categories and credit conditions as necessary
• Record and administer the receipt, cancellation or collection of bank guarantees as required
• Maintain good communication and relationships with in-country Sales Teams in order to maximise sales within credit guidelines and maintain good customer relationships
• Communicate with Sales to agree actions on accounts outside terms or credit limits, including analysing information, recommending solutions to achieve favourable outcomes for all parties
• Communication to the Credit Manager and Credit Leads on any significant exposures or major unfavourable changes in expected account payments
• Carry out checks of overdue customers as part of managing the Credit Risk profile of customers, working with the Accounts Receivable Team Leader to determine whether further action is required

Assist with Credit Enquiries and Disputes

• Manage Credit enquiries and disputes based on group policy
• Work with Accounts Payable to process outgoing payments to customers as a part of the Adjustments process

Support Improvement Initiatives

• Participate in improvement initiatives assigned by the Accounts Receivable Team Leader
• Proactively identify and propose potential improvements in all tasks and processes, such as ways to automate tasks and in making processes more efficient
• Participate in ad hoc projects and other tasks as assigned by the Accounts Receivable Team Leader
• Participate in strategic ad hoc projects and other tasks as assigned by the Regional Lead, Shared Services

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS       

• Reporting to the Accounts Receivable Team Leader this role is required to work closely with other Shared Services Centre and Finance personnel across the group.
• Relationships must be established and maintained with Management and personnel across all Shared Services Centre functions and in assigned business units.

Transversal Responsibility

• All business decisions and actions must serve and be in line with the Group’s Essence, principles & values, TRACE, and our way to serve the community

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor Degree in Accounting required
• Good level of English, written and spoken
• At least 3 years recent and relevant experience in Accounts Receivable with a good understanding of Accounts Receivable processes
• The following personal attributes: self-motivated; good attention to detail; capable of making decisions; good communication skills; and ability to meet deadlines
• Experie