Accounting & Payments Operations

Accounting & Payments Operations

Company: Startel Corporation
Location: Freeport, Illinois – fully in office
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
Compensation: $22 - $30 per hour, based on experience and qualifications
Schedule and Work Arrangement: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5 p.m.

About the Opportunity

Startel Corporation provides software and services for contact centers. We are seeking an organized, dependable accounting professional to support daily accounting activities and help develop our payments operations.

This position offers direct collaboration with the CFO and Payments Operations Director, hands-on training, and the opportunity to develop expertise in merchant onboarding and payment processing.

Prior payments industry experience is helpful but not required. We are looking for someone with practical accounting experience, strong follow-through, and an interest in learning new systems and processes.

Position Summary

The Accounting & Payments Operations role handles invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payment posting, cash handling, bank deposits, reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end accounting support.

Initially, the position will focus primarily on accounting responsibilities while learning payments operations. As the payments program develops and proficiency increases, the role will take on additional merchant onboarding, payment research, and customer support responsibilities under the guidance of the CFO and Payments Operations Director.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations

• Prepare recurring monthly invoices and service or project billing; research and resolve billing discrepancies.
• Apply customer payments, maintain accurate account records, and follow up on outstanding balances.
• Process vendor invoices, prepare payment batches for approval, and maintain vendor records.
• Receive, count, record, and safeguard cash and checks in accordance with company procedures.
• Prepare and make bank deposits, maintain supporting documentation, and verify that deposits agree with accounting records.
• Reconcile bank accounts, credit card accounts, and other assigned balances; investigate differences and escalate unresolved issues.
• Prepare and record journal entries with appropriate supporting documentation and required approvals.
• Prepare supporting schedules, assist with month-end close, and support annual reporting requirements.

Payments Operations — Training Provided

• Help customers complete merchant applications and collect required business, ownership, and banking documentation.
• Coordinate merchant setup and onboarding with internal staff and payment processing partners.
• Research payment, deposit, funding, and statement questions; communicate findings and escalate issues when needed.
• Track disputes, chargebacks, and returned payments; gather supporting documentation and monitor response deadlines.
• Support pricing worksheets and proposal preparation using approved guidelines.

Process Improvement and Documentation

• Maintain accurate records, document procedures, and identify practical ways to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Learn and use accounting software, CRM tools, and payment platforms while protecting confidential financial and customer information.

Required Qualifications

• At least two years of hands-on accounting or bookkeeping experience involving several of the following: invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payment posting, cash handling, bank deposits, account reconciliation, journal entries, or month-end support.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles and the ability to research discrepancies and maintain accurate records.
• Working proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and comparing information across reports.
• Ability to learn new software and follow documented procedures.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills and a professional approach to customer questions.
• Strong attention to detail, reliable follow-through, and the ability to prioritize deadlines.
• Sound judgment when handling funds and confidential information and determining when to ask for guidance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with QuickBooks Desktop or comparable accounting software.
• Associate degree, accounting coursework, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience with CRM systems, recurring billing, or customer account support.
• Background in banking, merchant services, payment processing, or financial operations.
• Experience using Excel lookup functions or pivot tables.

Candidates with strong accounting experience who are new to payments operations are encouraged to apply.

What Success Looks Like

• Customer invoices and payment postings are accurate and completed on schedule.
• Cash and checks are handled securely, with deposits prepared promptly and accurately documented.
• Reconciliations and journal entries are completed accurately, with appropriate supporting documentation.
• Vendor payments and month-end tasks are prepared within established deadlines.
• Merchant onboarding records are complete, organized, and followed through to the next step.
• Customer questions receive timely responses, with unresolved matters escalated appropriately.
• Payments responsibilities are assumed progressively as training and proficiency develop.

Why Join Startel

• Work directly with finance and payments leadership.
• Build on your accounting experience while learning a specialized area of financial operations.
• Contribute to the development of a new payments program.
• Help improve processes and take ownership of meaningful daily work.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation
• Health and Dental Coverage
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holiday’s and Vacation
• 401(k) Plan

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief summary of your relevant accounting experience and interest in learning payments operations.

Pay: $22.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Accounting: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $30