What are the responsibilities and job description for the Collections Specialist position at Ascent Aviation Services?
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Who we are and where we are going:
Ascent Aviation Services is a leader in aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul, storage, reclamation, and passenger-to-freight aircraft conversion. Our strength comes from our talented and professional employees who excel through teamwork and enthusiasm. Ascent continues to grow and is seeking motivated professionals to support our vision of becoming the most trusted aviation solutions provider in North America.
We are seeking a results-driven Collections Specialist with a proven track record of reducing aged receivables and driving cash collections in a complex, contract-based environment. This role owns AR aging, assists with invoice preparation, aggressively collects past due balances, resolves disputes, and provides reliable visibility into expected cash inflows through accurate collections forecasting
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own AR aging with focus on 30/60/90 day balances
- Execute proactive collection strategies to reduce DSO
- Perform high-volume outbound collections activity (calls, emails, escalations)
- Negotiate payment plans and resolve delinquent accounts
- Maintain detailed collection activity logs in ERP systems
Dispute Resolution & Customer Management
- Resolve billing disputes quickly with internal teams
- Hold customers accountable to contractual payment terms
- Build professional but firm relationships with customer AP contacts
Aging Analysis, Reporting & Forecasting
- Develop and maintain accurate collections forecast based on customer payment behavior and account status
- Provide daily and weekly updates on AR aging and expected cash collections
- Identify risks, delays, and changes in customer payment commitments
- Refine forecast assumptions using actual payment trends
- Explain variances between forecasted and actual collections
- Support cash flow planning with Finance and Treasury
Billing Support
- Review invoices for accuracy to prevent collection delays
- Assist with statements and supporting documentation
- Prepare and issue customer invoices accurately and timely in accordance with contract terms, milestones, and supporting documentation requirements
- Coordinate with Operations, Program Management, and Finance teams to resolve billing discrepancies and ensure invoices are submission-ready for customer approval
YOU WILL GET MORE THAN JUST COMPENSATION:
- 401K with Company Match
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
- PTO - Eligible for 3 Weeks in your First Year, in Addition to 7 Paid Company Holidays
- Company-Provided Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
- Development and Career Growth Opportunities
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- 3 years of B2B collections experience
- Proven ability to reduce AR aging and collect past due balances
- Ability to forecast cash collections with strong accuracy
- Experience with invoice creation and contract-based billing processes preferred
- Strong analytical skills related to AR aging and payment trends
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- Intermediate Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups)
- Experience with ERP systems
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- 3–5 years in collections or AR
- High school diploma required; degree preferred
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
- Occasional squatting, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 20 pounds.
EQUIPMENT OPERATED:
- Telephone, personal computer, multiple printers, copy machine, and shredder.
- May be required to operate additional office equipment not explicitly listed in this description as needed to perform job duties effectively.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work primarily in the Main Hangar building office with occasional travel to various locations on base.
- Potential exposure to materials listed on Material Safety Data Sheets.
- Protective Equipment Required: None
OTHER DUTIES:
- May be required to work at both Marana, AZ and Tucson, AZ locations as business needs dictate.
- Additional duties may be assigned at the discretion of department management.
SMS REQUIREMENTS:
- Employees are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with company policies and government regulations. These rules are written in the interest of preserving the lives and the resources entrusted to each employee, and when the rules are violated, the risk of a mishap is usually increased.
- Employees shall participate in safety education programs and train to recognize hazards on the job and how to report them promptly. As a condition of employment, each member of Ascent Aviation agrees to report errors, incidents, and accidents honestly.
- An employee who observes an unsafe action or condition should bring it to the attention of supervisors and managers. Certain conditions may allow the employee to easily correct or condition a situation.
Ascent Aviation Services is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment. We provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to making reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job.
If you require any accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know. EEO/AA/F/M/VET/DIS