Director of Collections & Cash Applications

Interim Director of Collections & Cash Applications

Location: Remote
Travel: Occasional travel to Boston for team meetings
Duration: Up to 6 months
Start: Immediate

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing is seeking an experiencedInterim Director of Collections & Cash Applications for a remote consulting engagement. This individual will step into a challenging accounts receivable environment and lead the stabilization and improvement of both collections and cash applications.

The organization has an accounts receivable portfolio of more than $200 million, with approximately 50% currently past due. The Director will lead the team to reduce the past due balance, implement processes and procedures to help, and also assess the existing operation, strengthen accountability, and develop a clear plan to improve collections and cash application performance on an ongoing basis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the collections and cash applications functions for a team of approximately 12
• Assess current staffing levels, responsibilities, leadership structure, and overall team effectiveness
• Review existing collections and cash application processes and identify areas for improvement
• Develop and implement consistent policies, procedures, controls, and performance standards
• Address unapplied cash and improve the accuracy and timeliness of cash applications
• Develop a strategy to reduce aged receivables and improve cash collection
• Evaluate and improve the use of NetSuite within the collections and cash application processes
• Work directly on complex collections issues and cash application exceptions as needed
• Partner with other stakeholders to resolve issues impacting accounts receivable

• Provide recommendations within the first 30 days regarding processes, procedures, staffing, and team structure

Requirements

• 7+ years of B2B accounts receivable experience across collections and cash applications
• 3+ years of experience leading and developing teams
• Proven experience improving or turning around a collections and cash applications function
• Experience managing collections in a large or complex accounts receivable environment
• Hands-on NetSuite experience required, including cash application and payment posting
• Strong Excel, reporting, and analytical skills
• Strong knowledge of collections and cash application KPIs and best practices
• Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, and performance metrics
• Practical experience using Claude or another AI tool to support collections, cash applications, analysis, or process improvement
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to both lead the function and work directly on difficult accounts and exceptions
• Available to begin immediately