Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Clerk

Location: Lakeland, Florida

Job Type: Full-Time/Remote

Location: You will be required to meet in person on a monthly basis

Schedule: Monday–Friday 7am-5pm

Reports To: CEO

Salary Range: $50,000 to $60,000

Position Summary

Smith Challenger Manufacturing & Services, Inc. is seeking a detail-oriented Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Clerk to support the company's daily accounting operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for processing accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions, maintaining accurate financial records, reconciling accounts, and providing administrative support to ensure timely and accurate financial operations.

The Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Clerk is responsible for managing the full-cycle AP and AR process, including invoice processing, payment posting, customer/vendor billing, collections, vendor account reconciliation, and payment processing. This position works closely with internal departments, vendors, clients, and management to resolve billing discrepancies, maintain organized financial records, and ensure compliance with company policies. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, trustworthy and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Maintain and oversee all financial records
• Execute full-cycle accounting: journal entries, reconciliations, and general ledger management
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, including P&L statements
• Ensure accuracy, organization, and timeliness across all accounting functions

Accounts Receivable

• Prepare and issue customer invoices
• Process incoming payments via checks, credit cards, and ACH
• Set up and enter new client accounts
• Review and assess annual sales tax certificates for compliance
• Answers phone calls and emails in a professional manner addressing customer billing
• Oversee application of customer deposits

Accounts Payable

• Oversee accounts payable including vendor disbursements
• Enter and code vendor bills
• Perform three-way matching (PO, receipt, invoice)
• Process vendor payments in a timely manner
• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies
• Entry of new vendor accounts
• Answer phone calls and emails in a professional manner addressing vendor billings and discrepancies

Cost & Inventory Accounting

• Manage inventory accounting, cost tracking, and job costing processes
• Support purchasing activities, vendor setup, and cost evaluation

Sales Tax & Insurance

• Handle sales tax filings and ensure regulatory compliance
• Maintains current certificates of insurance with vendor accounts 

Audit & Year-End

• Assist with audits and maintain supporting documentation
• Lead year-end AP/AR closing procedures
• Prepare supporting schedules and documentation for the CPA
• Coordinate with CPA to send out 1099 documents 

Requirements & Qualifications

• 5-7 years of relevant accounting experience
• Bachelor's degree required (Accounting, Finance, or related field)
• CPA license/certification not required
• Strong working knowledge of Quickbooks, NetSuite, or Salesforce 
• Demonstrated experience with cost accounting, inventory, and job costing
• Experience with sales tax compliance and filings
• Background in purchasing/vendor accounting preferred
• Advanced Excel skills and strong attention to detail
• High level of integrity and trustworthiness; will handle sensitive financial data
• Ability to work independently and take full ownership of responsibilities
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving ability

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Smith Challenger Manufacturing & Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Smith Challenger Manufacturing & Services, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable Florida law. Applicants requiring assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should notify Human Resources.

Drug-Free Workplace Statement

Smith Challenger Manufacturing & Services, Inc. maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with Florida law. Pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and/or random drug testing may be required for safety-sensitive positions where permitted by law.

E-Verify Statement

Smith Challenger Manufacturing & Services, Inc. participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees as required by applicable law.

At-Will Employment Statement

Employment with Smith Challenger Manufacturing & Services, Inc. is at-will. This means either the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.