What's your job about?
“Ensuring all payments are processed accurately and efficiently to maintain a healthy relationship with your customer.”
I used to think that the only tasks required of an Associate Accounts Receivable were to create and send invoices to clients, send proactive notices and past-due accounts by email, or call the Accounts Payable Department to make sure payments were made on time. After that, I thought my work was done—but it’s most definitely not. I keep track of incoming payments throughout the day, apply them to the relevant accounts, and highlight any significant overdue accounts before aging and large transactions that need attention. In addition, I may work with our Transaction team, NA team, CC team, and Web billing to settle client payments and accurately submit invoices to the portal for customers who have their own portal or use a billing portal, ensuring customer satisfaction while maintaining our team's cash goals. By the end of the week, I ensure every transaction is accurately documented and that any issues are fixed to maintain the integrity of our accounts.
What's your background?
It can be difficult to live in a high-pressure environment because family and relatives can be overwhelming, especially when managing expectations. Before stepping up to college, my goal was to become an Iskolar ng Bayan, which would help cover my tuition and other miscellaneous fees at the university. As a student, the pressure often led to feelings of being trapped, caught between my aspirations and the need to fulfill others’ expectations. Ultimately, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from a local university in Quezon City while also serving as an Iskolar ng Bayan.
As a graduating Accountancy student, I feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. There's a strong sense of accomplishment and pride in reaching this milestone, knowing it opens the door to a potential career in finance and accounting. During my internship at Emerson, starting in the Accounts Payable Department, I was treated with respect, safety, and care—not just as an intern or employee. And I believed I'd continue to work for this company in the future, and I finally made it. Transitioning from college to the corporate world as a recent graduate can be both thrilling and intimidating, with the excitement of applying what you’ve learned in real-life scenarios.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes, someone from another line of work can succeed in this field. For instance, experience in customer service, marketing, or sales can be beneficial if it provides valuable skills for maintaining customer relationships and accurately handling payments. It can also benefit Emerson's University Training Program, which exposes participants to real-world situations, offers mentorship from experienced professionals, and helps them develop a thorough understanding of their key duties within the company. A willingness to learn, adaptability, and a commitment to maintaining integrity are more important than one's educational or professional background.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Accountability is important for an Associate Accounts Receivable. I love the satisfaction that comes from ensuring all payments are accurately processed and balanced. It’s gratifying to see payments appear in the system and to respond quickly, especially when large transactions are involved. It’s also exciting to commit to your cash goals. While it was challenging to work with customers to resolve payment concerns, these experiences serve as a constant reminder of the importance of maintaining strong relationships with customers in my field. As a newcomer to this role, collaborating with tenured colleagues and my team leader has been a great help in resolving challenging accounts. Receiving appreciation from the team leader for my day-to-day duties reassures me that I’m making valuable contributions to the team.
What are the limitations of your job?
My job has a lot of limitations. My focus is on the transactional aspects of managing account payments, which include sending proactive notices, past-due notices, and follow-up payments to customers, as well as routine communication with them. Making decisions or handling and charging credit are typically outside our responsibility and are managed by senior management, supervisors, and other departments. Our limited authority to handle complex client complaints, such as payment terms and tax exemptions, means that only the Tax Team and Post Sales can write off and resolve these issues, which can affect aging dispute items. My focus remains on tasks related to maintaining a good relationship with customers and ensuring accurate and timely payments.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...