Christopher Thornton
Lees Summit,MO
Summary
Highly-qualified Credit Manager driven to minimize risk while capitalizing on opportunities to accomplish company objectives in sales, customer growth and bottom line profitability. Talented Accounting Manager and strategic planner possessing a solid understanding of accounting, fiscal analysis and financial reporting. Specializing in credit management and accounts receivable work. Excels at building dynamic teams that achieve continual process improvement.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Receivable Supervisor
Illinois Tool Works Inc, Pro Brands
2023.11 - Current
- Negotiated payment plans with delinquent customers, preserving long-term business relationships while recovering outstanding funds.
- Achieved consistent accuracy in billing processes through diligent oversight and proactive identification of errors.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and industry regulations through regular audits and updates to departmental procedures.
- Managed a team of accounts receivable clerks, fostering a positive work environment that encouraged professional growth.
- Optimized collections efforts by prioritizing high-value accounts and strategizing targeted approaches.
- Performed ad hoc analysis or prepared special reports as requested by senior management to inform key strategic decisions related to sales incentive programs.
- Improved efficiency in the commission process by optimizing data entry and validation procedures.
AR Manager
QTS Data Centers
2022.07 - 2023.09
- Supported accounting director with special projects and additional job duties.
- Improved overall financial reporting by streamlining control processes and reporting structures.
- Collaborated with C-level executives and stakeholders to develop long-term financial plans.
- Reviewed historical records, current operational data and forecasting information to identify and capitalize on system enhancement opportunities.
- Supervised staff of collectors, monitoring phone calls and letters.
- Generated and mailed updated statements monthly and processed demand letters.
- Monitored Collection software implementation progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting.
- Documented cash, credit, fixed assets, accrued expenses, and line of credit transactions.
- Executed liens for unpaid material
- Represented company in legal proceedings
Accounting Supervisor
Associated Wholesale Grocers
Kansas City
2019.06 - 2022.06
- Created and initiated accounting procedures to increase organization.
- Disciplined and motivated accounting team to maximize performance.
- Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/AR, deposits and recordkeeping.
- Developed strategic plans for day-to-day financial operations.
- Oversaw high-volume accounting operations with 11-person team focused on efficient AP/AR, credit management, collections, and other financial management needs.
- Built strong relationships with vendors to enhance cost offerings and accomplish favored customer status.
- Partnered with finance team to complete month end functions, including accruals and account reconciliations.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired 15 employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Established and enforced internal controls, workflows and policies for tracking, reconciling and reporting on accounting activities.
- Improved overall financial reporting by streamlining control processes and reporting structures.
- Assessed credit risk and analyzed financial statements.
- Attended ongoing professional training to facilitate accurate and productive credit management.
- Optimized credit approval and collection processes, improving operational efficiencies by over 22%.
Credit Manager
WC Tingle Company
Lee's Summit , MO
2017.09 - 2019.05
- Investigated and evaluated customers for creditworthiness and potential risk factors.
- Attended ongoing professional training to facilitate accurate and productive credit management.
- Referred delinquent accounts to collections department or outside resources.
- Reported key performance indicators to department heads for management of positive cash flow and to adjust credit risk policies and procedures.
- Monitored accounts for signs of fraud and non-payment issues.
- Developed strategies to expedite payments and customer resolutions.
- Worked in tandem with sales team and customers to negotiate payments and verify account reconciliations.
- Negotiated settlements and payment terms with customers through in person meetings. Built relationships with clients to ensure compliance towards agreed upon settlements
- Optimized credit approval and collection processes, improving operational efficiencies by over 28%
- Wrote and implemented standard operating procedures for credit personnel to achieve consistency in unit operations.
- Collected data and performed trend and variance analysis to mitigate risk arising from bad debt.
- Obtained and reviewed credit reports, credit references, credit insurance and financial statements to establish credit limits for new accounts.
- Issued credit lines exclusively for lines of credits between 25,000 and 1,500,000.00. Oversaw credit analysts approvals of under 25,000
Credit, Collections and Cargo Claims Director
WLX, LLC
North Kansas City , MO
2015.04 - 2017.09
- Executed accounts receivable reporting enhancements and reconciliation procedures
- Received, recorded, and posted cash, checks, and vouchers as well as reconciled records of bank transactions
- Managed accounting operations, Period close, account reporting and reconciliations Assisted in the creation of vendor contracts for outside vendors.
- Opened and assigned new client accounts
Reviewed and amended all Customer Contracts before entering company into binding agreements - Manage all damage claims, from inception to resolution
Contract signatory for company; review and approval of all contracts based upon current case law and business needs - Built talented teams of 5 claims administrators dedicated to timely and compliant resolutions
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO05.2008
Skills
- Investigations
- Credit risk
- Self-motivated professional
- Analytical reasoning
- Project design and implementation
- Credit reports
- Superior attention to detail
- Collections processing
- People-oriented
- Construction Liens
- Experience with being on board of creditors
- Policy application
- High risk account reviews
- PeopleSoft SME
- Contract negotiations
- Insurance experience
- Risk mitigation
Affiliations
- Member of NACM, 2018
- Transportation & Logistics Council
- Member of CRF
Community Engagement
- Child Passenger Safety Technician: provide car seat education through multiple events throughout the year
- Race committee member for local non profit organizations
- Chairman of Head start board through Mid America Regional Council
- Member, Board of Directors Be Strong Families (BSF)
- Serving as committee chair on financial committee for BSF
- Trainer of Your Money Your goals Program through the Federal Reserve community outreach program
Timeline
Account Receivable Supervisor
Illinois Tool Works Inc, Pro Brands
2023.11 - Current
AR Manager
QTS Data Centers
2022.07 - 2023.09
Accounting Supervisor
Associated Wholesale Grocers
2019.06 - 2022.06
Credit Manager
WC Tingle Company
2017.09 - 2019.05
Credit, Collections and Cargo Claims Director
WLX, LLC
2015.04 - 2017.09
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Missouri - Kansas City
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