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What is an accounts receivable manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Sean Cote
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An accounts receivable manager oversees the accounts receivable department. The accounts receivable department receives payment on behalf of the company and ensures that payment deadlines are met. As the manager, it is your duty to ensure that all duties are carried out efficiently and accurately. You are also required to manage the invoice or billing process, manage payroll activities, make monthly deposits to the IRS, and create financial reports. You might also be required to supervise the accountants and bookkeepers who work in your department. Your job as the manager is also to lead your team and ensure that the policies and regulations of the company are upheld.

The average accounts receivable manager earns about $69000 annually with an hourly rate of $33.36. A minimum qualification of a BSc is required to work as an account receivable manager. Managing general ledger accounts, generating financial statements and proper handling of payrolls and customer accounts make the top list of skills for employers. Most candidates study business, accounting, or related fields.

What general advice would you give to an accounts receivable manager?

Sean CoteSean Cote LinkedIn profile

Professor, Rhode Island College

Enjoy every day.
Learn from everything you do in your job. Especially when you make mistakes. I did a triathlon two years ago. It took a ton of training for me to be ready for this race. Was I good at anything that was part of the triathlon? Nope, in fact, I HATE running and biking. But I knew that if I put my mind to it, and worked hard, I could finish this race... and I did! The same thing applies to your career. Work hard and put your mind to it and you can reach your long-term career goals. Good luck, graduates!
ScoreAccounts Receivable ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.4

Avg. Salary $69,403

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.5

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 7.63%

Black or African American 7.81%

Hispanic or Latino 15.04%

Unknown 4.11%

White 65.07%

Gender

female 74.99%

male 25.01%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
9.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Accounts receivable manager career paths

Key steps to become an accounts receivable manager

  1. Explore accounts receivable manager education requirements

    Most common accounts receivable manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.3 %

    Associate

    23.6 %

    High School Diploma

    8.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific accounts receivable manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service13.64%
    Accounts Receivables7.50%
    Financial Reports6.17%
    Reconciliations4.65%
    Payroll3.95%
  3. Complete relevant accounts receivable manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New accounts receivable managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an accounts receivable manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real accounts receivable manager resumes.
  4. Research accounts receivable manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage payroll activities including calculating and distributing payroll checks and making monthly withholding deposits to the IRS via EFTPS website.
    • Accomplish, results-orient professional with a strong background in TABS3 management and QuickBooks utilization.
    • Manage all accounts receivable activities including billing, customer dispute resolution, cash application collections, write-offs and month-end reconciliations.
    • Review claims hold up in EDI, and initiate pathway in working claims edits, claims follow up and appeals.
  5. Prepare your accounts receivable manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your accounts receivable manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an accounts receivable manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable accounts receivable manager resume templates

    Build a professional accounts receivable manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your accounts receivable manager resume.
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
    Accounts Receivable Manager Resume
  6. Apply for accounts receivable manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an accounts receivable manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first accounts receivable manager job

Zippi

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Average accounts receivable manager salary

The average accounts receivable manager salary in the United States is $69,403 per year or $33 per hour. Accounts receivable manager salaries range between $42,000 and $114,000 per year.

Average accounts receivable manager salary
$69,403 Yearly
$33.37 hourly

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How do accounts receivable managers rate their job?

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Accounts receivable manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

Investigating claims of denials and getting claims pain in a timely manner

Cons

Nothing


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

Resolving problems and the everyday challenge

Cons

Highly stressful, under-appreciated and other departments not recognizing the value of the AR department.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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