Analyst, Accounts Receivable
Ferrara
Accounting & Finance, IT
USD 71,100-99,540 / year
At Ferrara, Ferrero, Fox’s Burton’s, and The Fine Biscuits Company, we’re loved by people of all generations for the joy we bring—and that joy is crafted by our people. Join us and explore a whole world to discover, where your passion will find its place.
Today, Ferrara is the #1 sugar confectioner in the U.S, with global sales in more than 40 countries. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of over 9,000 employees around the world who deliver and create hundreds of iconic and beloved products.
In the U.S., more than 67 million households annually enjoy our popular brands like NERDS®, Brach’s®, Jelly Belly®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli®. In Brazil, Dori has become a household name with snacking products that include brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100. And, in France, Carambar & Co have earned generations of loyal customers through the timeless appeal of iconic candy and chocolate brands such as Carambar, Lutti, Krema, Poulain, Vichy and Terry’s. A privately held company, Ferrara Group is headquartered in Chicago. Ferrara boasts a network of over 30 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities.
Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-/
Analyst, Accounts Receivable
Work Location: Chicago
Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.
Want to make an impact?
The primary purpose of the Analyst, Accounts Receivable position is to ensure the accurate and timely application of customer payments to outstanding invoices while supporting proactive collection efforts to reduce past due balances and improve overall cash flow management. This is achieved through the effective use of HighRadius, with the role also responsible for identifying opportunities for automation and leading efficiency initiatives to continuously improve processes. Additionally, this position will be responsible for monitoring customer aging, following up on outstanding receivables, researching and resolving payment discrepancies and disputes, and collaborating cross-functionally with internal teams and customers to support timely payment resolution and maintain accurate customer account balances.
Ways you will make a difference
- Apply daily cash receipts (ACH, wire, check, credit card) accurately and timely to customer accounts within ERP systems (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, HighRadius)
- Manage end-to-end cash application activities for the consignment business, including posting customer payments, reconciling remittances, researching discrepancies, and ensuring timely and accurate application of cash to customer accounts
- Retrieve, review, and interpret remittance information from customer portals, bank files, lockboxes, and email correspondence
- Reconcile unapplied cash and research discrepancies between payments and outstanding invoices
- Manage and clear unapplied and on-account cash balances, ensuring timely resolution of open items
- Correct misapplied payments and perform account adjustments to maintain accurate customer account balances
- Monitor customer aging reports and support collection activities to ensure timely payment of outstanding receivables
- Conduct proactive follow-up with customers regarding past due invoices and payment status
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Deduction, Collection, Customer Service, Sales, IT, and Accounting teams to resolve account issues and improve cash flow
- Maintain accurate and organized documentation supporting all cash application and collection activities
- Track and report key performance metrics, including item-level and header-level automation rates within HighRadius
- Analyze customer payment trends and identify opportunities to improve collections performance and reduce DSO (Days Sales Outstanding)
- Identify and drive process improvement and automation opportunities to streamline cash application and collection workflows within HighRadius
- Support month-end and year-end close activities related to accounts receivable and cash application processes
- Escalate high-risk or severely delinquent accounts to management as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned
Skills that will make you successful
- High attention to detail with strong accuracy and organizational skills
- Ability to manage high volumes of transactions in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes
- Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally
- Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
- Proactive and solution-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
Experiences that will support your success
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
- 2+ years of experience in cash application, collections, accounts receivable, or related finance/accounting function
- Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP S4 Hana) and cash application tools (e.g., HighRadius)
- Strong understanding of accounts receivable processes, including cash posting, deductions, and reconciliation
- Proven ability to research and resolve payment discrepancies and unapplied cash items
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUPs)
- Experience supporting integrations, mergers, or portfolio transitions (preferred)
- Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., S4 Hanna) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills
What We Offer
At Ferrara, we’re proud to support our employees by providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR
Compensation
The salary range for this role is $71,100 - $99,540 annually.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
