Collections Specialist

Company: Robert Half (on behalf of a Calgary-based client)

Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

Employment Type: Permanent

Clean Professional Job Summary

Robert Half is recruiting a high-caliber Collections Specialist for a permanent opportunity with a leading Calgary-based organization. This role is designed for a finance professional who excels at the intersection of credit risk management and customer relations. You will be responsible for overseeing a significant accounts receivable portfolio, performing deep-dive credit analysis, and resolving complex account discrepancies. The ideal candidate will act as a strategic partner to the business, balancing the need for aggressive cash flow management with the maintenance of long-term, positive customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Management: Oversee a high-value A/R portfolio of approximately $20M, implementing systematic follow-up procedures to ensure the timely collection of outstanding balances.
Credit Analysis & Underwriting: Evaluate incoming credit applications and analyze existing customer creditworthiness to recommend appropriate credit limit adjustments based on historical performance.
Complex Dispute Resolution: Investigate and resolve intricate account discrepancies, including short payments, unapplied cash, pricing errors, tax adjustments, and returns.
Cash Application: Post A/R cheques and process payments with high accuracy to ensure the general ledger reflects real-time account statuses.
Strategic Reporting: Monitor and interpret aging reports to prioritize high-risk or high-value overdue accounts for immediate action.
Internal Collaboration: Partner with sales and operations teams to provide transparency on account statuses and coordinate strategies for delinquent account resolutions.
Relationship Management: Serve as a primary point of contact for customers, utilizing professional communication to resolve disputes while preserving the business partnership.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Experience: Proven track record in full-cycle collections, credit assessment, and accounts receivable management within a corporate environment.
Analytical Ability: Strong skills in credit analysis and the ability to interpret financial data to assess risk.
Mathematical Precision: High proficiency in account reconciliation and identifying root causes for payment variances.
Communication: Exceptional verbal and written negotiation skills, with a focus on professional conflict resolution.
Technical Literacy: Advanced experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel for managing large datasets and generating aging reports.
Detail Orientation: Meticulous approach to payment posting and documentation to maintain audit-ready financial records.

About the Company

Robert Half is a global leader in specialized talent solutions, connecting top-tier finance and accounting professionals with Calgary’s most reputable firms. The client for this permanent role is a stable, growth-oriented organization within the Calgary market that values operational efficiency and financial integrity. This client is known for fostering a collaborative work environment where the collections team is integrated into the broader business strategy rather than functioning as a siloed department.

Market & Industry Context

In 2026, Calgary’s industrial and commercial sectors are navigating a “High-Interest Rate” landscape, which has made cash flow management more critical than ever.

Companies in Alberta are currently shifting from traditional “reactive” collections to “proactive” credit management. For a Collections Specialist, this means that the role is no longer just about making phone calls; it involves utilizing DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) metrics to drive business decisions. Professionals who can demonstrate a low average DSO in a $20M+ portfolio are currently seeing a 10–15% premium in salary offers within the local market as firms prioritize liquidity.

Career Growth & Progression Path

Credit Manager: Transition into a senior leadership role responsible for the organization’s global credit policy and risk appetite.
Accounts Receivable Supervisor: Lead a team of specialists, overseeing workflow distribution and department-wide performance metrics.
Financial Analyst: Leverage your experience in data reconciliation and risk assessment to move into broader corporate financial planning and analysis (FP&A).
Treasury Analyst: Focus on the management of company liquidity, investments, and financial risk mitigation strategies.

Interview Preparation Insights

The “Difficult Conversation” Scenario: Be prepared to walk the interviewer through a specific instance where you successfully collected a large, long-overdue balance while keeping the customer’s business.
Technical Deep-Dive: You may be asked how you handle “unapplied cash” or specific reconciliation errors. Have a step-by-step process ready to explain.
Prioritization Logic: With a $20M portfolio, how do you decide which account to call first on a Monday morning? (Focus on using aging buckets and “risk of loss” as your primary filters).
Software Competency: Be ready to discuss your experience with ERP modules (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics) specifically related to the credit and collections workflow.

Estimated Salary Insight

Market Estimate Based on Similar Roles: $62,000 – $78,000 per year (CAD) plus benefits.
Note: Final compensation in the Calgary market for a $20M portfolio manager often includes performance-based bonuses tied to DSO reduction targets.

Work Environment & Location Insights

Calgary is a major hub for Western Canadian logistics and energy services, where business-to-business (B2B) credit relationships are the backbone of the economy.

Professional Culture: The Calgary business environment values direct, honest, and professional communication—qualities essential for a successful Collections Specialist.
Economic Climate: As a “Permanent” role, this position offers stability in a market that is currently benefiting from diversified growth beyond the traditional energy sector.
Work-Life Balance: Robert Half’s clients in the Calgary area typically offer standard professional hours with a focus on “Results-Oriented” performance rather than pure clock-watching.

Compliance & Equal Opportunity Note

Robert Half and its clients are equal opportunity employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All hiring decisions for this permanent position are based on merit, qualifications, and the current needs of the business. Successful candidates may be required to undergo a credit check as part of the standard background screening process for financial roles.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	Robert Half (on behalf of a Calgary-based client)
Location	Calgary, AB, Canada
Employment Type	Permanent
Portfolio Value	Approximately $20 Million (High-value A/R)
Salary Estimate	$62,000 – $78,000 CAD (Plus performance bonuses)
Primary Systems	ERP (SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics) & Advanced Excel
Core Functions	Credit Underwriting, Dispute Resolution, & Cash Application
Key Metric	Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) reduction
Background Req.	Credit check & standard financial background screening

Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs)

In the 2026 Calgary market, this role has shifted from “reactive” calling to strategic liquidity management.

Credit Underwriting: You aren’t just collecting; you are evaluating new applications and recommending credit limit adjustments based on historical risk patterns.
Dispute Investigation: Deep-dive into “short payments,” unapplied cash, and pricing errors to resolve the root cause of delinquency.
Financial Posting: High-accuracy posting of A/R cheques and payment processing to maintain a real-time General Ledger (GL).
Cross-Functional Partnership: Acting as a liaison between Sales and Operations to provide transparency on “At-Risk” accounts.

2026 Calgary Market & Industry Context

Calgary’s commercial landscape is currently navigating a High-Interest Rate environment, making corporate liquidity a top priority for firms in energy services and logistics.

The “DSO” Premium: Specialists who successfully drive down the Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) are currently commanding a 10–15% salary premium in Alberta.
Proactive Risk Management: Local firms are prioritizing “Proactive” credit management over traditional “Collection” tactics to protect cash flow against market volatility.
B2B Relationship Focus: The Calgary business culture heavily values professional, direct negotiation. Maintaining the “Business Partnership” while securing payment is the hallmark of a high-caliber specialist.

Interview Preparation: The “High-Value” Strategy

If you are interviewing for this $20M portfolio role, be prepared to discuss these specific scenarios:

The Priority Logic: How do you filter your morning call list? (Hint: Discuss Aging Buckets vs. Risk of Loss vs. Dollar Value).
Unapplied Cash: Explain your step-by-step technical process for reconciling unapplied credits or partial payments.
The “Difficult” Save: Provide an example of a time you collected a significant overdue balance from a long-term client without damaging the sales relationship.

To apply for this job please visit www.roberthalf.com.