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
11.2023 - 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
07.2022 - 09.2023
- 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
06.2019 - 06.2022
- 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
09.2017 - 05.2019
- 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
04.2015 - 09.2017
- 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
11.2023 - Current
AR Manager
QTS Data Centers
07.2022 - 09.2023
Accounting Supervisor
Associated Wholesale Grocers
06.2019 - 06.2022
Credit Manager
WC Tingle Company
09.2017 - 05.2019
Credit, Collections and Cargo Claims Director
WLX, LLC
04.2015 - 09.2017
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Missouri - Kansas City
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