A/R Specialist - Intern

How you will impact the organization…

Primary Function: Financial Operations & Accuracy: This internship provides a comprehensive introduction to corporate Accounts Receivable operations, specifically focusing on the billing and cash application functions with the A/R function. The primary objective of this role is to ensure the accurate and timely processing of cash receipts and customer queries. 

This role emphasizes professional communication and cross-functional collaboration. The intern will act as a point of contact for external clients, managing inquiries via phone and email with a focus on superior customer service. Furthermore, the role involves partnering with internal cross-functional teams (such as Sales and Customer Success) to investigate and resolve complex billing disputes. This dual focus allows the intern to develop essential soft skills while gaining a holistic understanding of the full Order-to-Cash cycle.

The value you will deliver…

• Cash Application & Processing Execute daily cash posting activities by accurately applying incoming payments (checks, ACH, wires, and credit cards) to the correct customer accounts within the ERP system. Ensure all receipts are logged within 24 hours of receipt to maintain real-time ledger accuracy.
• Account Reconciliation Perform weekly and monthly account reconciliations to identify discrepancies between the general ledger and bank statements. Investigate unapplied cash, short-payments, and over-payments, ensuring all open items are cleared or properly documented.
• Dispute Resolution & Cross-Functional Collaboration Act as a liaison between Finance and internal departments (Sales, Customer Success, and Operations) to investigate the root causes of billing disputes. Gather necessary documentation to validate claims and process necessary credit memos or adjustments.
• Customer Inquiry Management Manage the Accounts Receivable shared inbox and support phone line, responding to external client questions regarding invoice copies, statement requests, and payment status. Maintain a professional demeanor while enforcing payment terms.
• Ad hoc projects as seen fit within the billing operations group
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested. Consensus reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

What you will bring to the table… 

• In college or graduate program majoring in Accounting, Finance or Business Management.
• Intermediate Spreadsheet Manipulation (Microsoft Excel) The intern must go beyond basic data entry to demonstrate the ability to manipulate and analyze data sets. In an AR context, this is critical for reconciling complex customer remittances against open invoices.
• Specific Requirement: Ability to use lookup functions (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP) to match datasets, use Pivot Tables to summarize aging reports, and utilize basic conditional formatting to highlight duplicate payments or past-due accounts.
• ERP & Financial System Aptitude While the intern may not know your specific ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics) on day one, they must possess the technical aptitude to navigate complex database interfaces.
• Specific Requirement: The ability to quickly learn how to query customer accounts, input batch receipts, upload documentation, and navigate between different modules (General Ledger vs. Sub-ledger) without constant supervision. They must be comfortable working with multiple screens and software applications simultaneously.
• Application of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) The intern needs a technical grasp of the underlying accounting theory that drives the AR process. This ensures they are not just pressing buttons, but understanding the financial impact of their actions.
• Specific Requirement: Understanding the mechanism of double-entry accounting—specifically that a Credit reduces the AR asset and a Debit increases Cash. They must technically understand the difference between a "write-off," a "credit memo," and a "cash adjustment."
• Financial Data Accuracy The ability to process high volumes of numerical data (check amounts, invoice numbers, codes) with near-zero error rates. This includes self-auditing work before submission to ensure that cash posting aligns perfectly with bank deposits.
• Spreadsheet Proficiency (Excel) Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Excel is essential for this role. The intern must be comfortable navigating large datasets and using functions to sort, filter, and match data.Specific skills needed: VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP to match payments to invoices, Pivot Tables for aging reports, and basic text-to-column formatting.
• Professional Business Communication The ability to compose clear, concise, and grammatically correct emails to external clients and internal stakeholders. This competency also covers phone etiquette—specifically the ability to discuss sensitive financial matters (like overdue payments) with professionalism and tact.
• Analytical Problem Solving (Reconciliation Logic) The capacity to look at two sets of data (e.g., a customer’s remittance advice vs. our open invoice ledger) and logically deduce why they do not match. This involves identifying root causes such as short-payments, unapplied credits, or sales tax discrepancies.
• Understanding of Accounting Fundamentals A baseline academic understanding of the accounting equation, particularly how the Accounts Receivable sub-ledger interacts with the General Ledger and Cash accounts. They should understand the concept of "Debits and Credits" regarding how cash reduces an asset (AR) and increases another (Cash).

You will stand out if you also have…

• Demonstrates a high degree of coachability, consistently showing a willingness to accept and apply feedback constructively.
• Actively seeks out guidance from supervisors and team members to ensure tasks are completed accurately and efficiently.
• Exhibits a proactive approach to potential ambiguity or lack of clarity by promptly and respectfully requesting further information, resources, or clarification. This proactive communication ensures alignment with project goals and minimizes rework.

Additional details… 

• Location requirements: Fully remote within the U.S. (Los Angeles or Las Vegas preferred.)
• Travel requirements: Up to 10% travel. 
• Physical requirements: Must be able to sit for long periods, as well as, handle long periods of screen time.
• Technology requirements: Reliable, high speed internet.
• Eligible for sponsorship: No.

The salary range for this role is $18.50 - $22.00 USD an hour.  The total compensation package for this position is negotiable and may also include annual performance bonus, ESPP, enhanced time off packages and benefits. This job doesn't have an expiration date and will remain open until a qualified candidate is hired.