Accounts Receivable Job Description
Keep company cash flow healthy by managing customer invoices, payments and reconciliations. This role suits methodical administrators who enjoy numbers and customer contact.
What does a Accounts Receivable professional do?
An Accounts Receivable Clerk issues and reconciles invoices, posts payments and chases overdue accounts to ensure timely receipt of customer cash.
Accounts Receivable job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Accounts Receivable Clerk
About the role
[Company Name] is recruiting an Accounts Receivable Clerk to join our finance team based in [Location]. You will raise and post sales invoices, process payments, maintain customer account records and follow up unpaid invoices. Typical hours: [Hours per week]. Salary: [Salary or range].
Key responsibilities
- Generate and issue accurate sales invoices in line with contracts or delivery records
- Post and allocate customer payments (bank, card, BACS, direct debit) and reconcile to bank and ledger
- Monitor accounts receivable ageing, produce regular reports and actively chase overdue invoices
- Investigate and resolve payment discrepancies and disputed invoices with customers and internal teams
- Maintain up-to-date customer account records and credit terms in the accounting system
- Prepare regular cash receipts and AR reports for management and month-end close support
- Liaise with sales and customer service teams to support billing queries and reduce disputes
- Support improvements to AR processes and documentation to reduce days sales outstanding
Essential skills and experience
- Previous accounts receivable, credit control or bookkeeping experience (typically 1–3 years)
- Comfortable using accounting software and confident with numerical data entry
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (filters, basic formulas and reconciliation techniques)
- Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills with the ability to manage a high volume of transactions
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for dealing with customers and internal stakeholders
Desirable
- AAT or bookkeeping qualification at a relevant level
- Experience with common UK accounting systems (for example Sage or Xero)
- Previous experience negotiating payment plans and handling difficult customer queries
- Understanding of VAT and basic accounting principles
- Experience working to AR KPIs such as days sales outstanding (DSO) or collections targets
What we offer
- [Pension scheme]
- [Annual leave: e.g. X days plus bank holidays]
- [Flexible working / hybrid options]
- [Professional development budget or support for accountancy qualifications]
- [Life insurance / private medical / other benefits as applicable]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an Accounts Receivable role?
Accounts Receivable professionals manage the process of billing customers and collecting payments to maintain healthy cash flow for the business. They produce invoices, post receipts, reconcile accounts and chase overdue balances while working closely with sales and customer service to resolve disputes. Success in the role is measured by timely collections, accurate records and reductions in outstanding receivables.
Day-to-day tasks
Create invoices, post payments, reconcile accounts and chase overdue balances.
Who you work with
Close contact with sales, customer service, treasury and finance managers to resolve queries.
Key measures
Collections, days sales outstanding (DSO), ageing profile and accuracy of postings.
Typical Accounts Receivable responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Generate
Generate and issue accurate sales invoices in line with contracts or delivery records
Post and allocate customer payments (bank
Post and allocate customer payments (bank, card, BACS, direct debit) and reconcile to bank and ledger
Monitor accounts receivable ageing
Monitor accounts receivable ageing, produce regular reports and actively chase overdue invoices
Investigate
Investigate and resolve payment discrepancies and disputed invoices with customers and internal teams
Maintain up-to-date customer account records
Maintain up-to-date customer account records and credit terms in the accounting system
Prepare regular cash receipts
Prepare regular cash receipts and AR reports for management and month-end close support
Liaise with sales
Liaise with sales and customer service teams to support billing queries and reduce disputes
Support improvements
Support improvements to AR processes and documentation to reduce days sales outstanding
Accounts Receivable skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Previous accounts receivable, credit control or bookkeeping experience (typically 1–3 years)
- Comfortable using accounting software and confident with numerical data entry
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (filters, basic formulas and reconciliation techniques)
- Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills with the ability to manage a high volume of transactions
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for dealing with customers and internal stakeholders
Useful where relevant
- AAT or bookkeeping qualification at a relevant level
- Experience with common UK accounting systems (for example Sage or Xero)
- Previous experience negotiating payment plans and handling difficult customer queries
- Understanding of VAT and basic accounting principles
- Experience working to AR KPIs such as days sales outstanding (DSO) or collections targets
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Accounts Receivable job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about volume and systems
State typical invoice volumes, number of customer accounts and the main accounting software used to set clear expectations.
List measurable KPIs
Include AR targets such as DSO goals, collections targets or acceptable ageing thresholds to attract performance-focused candidates.
Clarify level of autonomy
Explain whether the role requires full ownership of collections, or if there is a team/manager to escalate disputed debt.
Mention development and progression
Highlight support for qualifications (AAT) or progression routes into credit control, treasury or management accounting.
Accounts Receivable salary considerations
Accounts receivable pay varies with location, sector and the level of responsibility. Employers should consider a combination of base salary, potential performance-related bonuses and benefits when setting a package.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Accounts Receivable candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
Which accounting systems will I use?
Candidates want to know the primary ledger and billing systems (eg. Sage, Xero, bespoke ERP) and any integrations relevant to AR.
Who will I report to and who is on the team?
Give clarity on line management, team size and how the AR role fits within finance and wider operations.
What KPIs or targets will I be measured against?
State any collections targets, DSO objectives or other performance metrics so candidates understand expectations.
What are the working hours and flexibility?
Be clear about core hours, hybrid working options and any overtime or month-end peaks.
Is handling disputes and credit control part of the role?
Explain whether the position includes negotiating payment plans, escalating bad debt or strictly administration duties.
Where to post a Accounts Receivable job
This role suits finance-focused job boards and general UK employment sites, plus specialist accounting communities and regional bulletin boards where local candidates search. For experienced or qualified candidates, advertise on professional networks and AAT or bookkeeping group channels; for junior hires, include local colleges and jobcentre listings to reach entry-level applicants.
Related finance & accounting job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Accounts Receivable job description FAQs
Do accounts receivable roles require formal qualifications?
Formal qualifications are not always required for entry-level AR roles; practical experience and strong numeracy are often sufficient. Employers may prefer or support AAT or bookkeeping qualifications for progression.
Should I include software names in the advert?
Yes. Listing the main accounting and CRM systems you use helps applicants assess fit and avoids unsuitable applications.
How should I set AR performance targets?
Use measurable indicators such as days sales outstanding (DSO), percentage of invoices collected within terms and ageing reductions. Ensure targets are realistic and aligned to team resources.
Is credit control the same as accounts receivable?
They overlap. Accounts receivable covers invoicing and payment processing, while credit control focuses on chasing overdue debt and managing credit risk. Some roles combine both responsibilities.
Ready to hire an Accounts Receivable Clerk?
Use this template to create a concise advert that sets expectations on tasks, systems and KPIs so you attract appropriately skilled candidates.
