Reconciliation, Billing, and Collections Optimization

This course is part of Accounting Assistant Professional Certificate

Instructor: Professionals from the Industry

Access provided by Association

9 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

8 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

9 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

8 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Build three-way matching systems to verify vendor invoices against purchase orders and receipts before payment authorization.
Configure automated billing workflows in QuickBooks with recurring invoices, payment reminders, and customer-specific terms.
Analyze aged receivables and DSO metrics to prioritize collections while investigating and resolving billing disputes.
Reconcile bank statements with internal records and resolve subsidiary ledger discrepancies to ensure financial accuracy.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

18 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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Build your Business Essentials expertise

This course is part of the Accounting Assistant Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Coursera

There are 9 modules in this course

Transform your accounting career by building comprehensive accounts payable and receivable management systems that combine traditional financial controls with modern automation. You'll develop expertise in vendor payment verification, automated billing workflows, and dispute resolution processes using QuickBooks and Excel. This hands-on course integrates reconciliation techniques, financial analysis, and process automation to create audit-ready accounting systems.

Working through realistic business scenarios, you'll implement three-way matching controls, configure automated recurring billing, and establish performance monitoring dashboards. You'll analyze aged receivables, calculate key metrics like DSO, and create systematic approaches to dispute resolution. These integrated skills prepare you for accounting assistant and junior bookkeeper roles where accuracy, efficiency, and compliance are essential. The course emphasizes practical application of accounting principles through digital tools, giving you portfolio-ready deliverables that demonstrate your ability to streamline financial operations while maintaining strict controls and audit trails.

You will learn the foundational three-way match control process used to prevent payment errors and fraud by systematically verifying vendor invoices against purchasing documentation before releasing payments.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videos Total 14 minutes

Three-Way Matching Protects Your Organization's Finances 5 minutes
Understanding the Three-Way Match Components and Process 9 minutes

1 reading Total 7 minutes

Common Three-Way Match Discrepancies and Their Root Causes 7 minutes

2 assignments Total 18 minutes

Three-Way Match Verification Exercise 15 minutes
Three-Way Match Knowledge Check 3 minutes

You will develop skills to systematically reconcile internal financial records with external bank statements, identify and investigate variances, and implement appropriate resolution strategies including adjusting journal entries and external communications.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videos Total 14 minutes

Bank Reconciliation Is Your Financial Integrity Checkpoint 6 minutes
Understanding Bank Reconciliation Components and the Reconciliation Process 8 minutes

1 reading Total 9 minutes

Investigating Root Causes of Common Reconciliation Variances 9 minutes

2 assignments Total 18 minutes

Financial Records Reconciliation and Discrepancy Resolution Mastery Assessment 15 minutes
Bank Reconciliation and Variance Analysis Knowledge Check 3 minutes

You will establish systematic documentation practices by attaching digital source documents to financial transactions, creating complete audit trails that ensure accuracy and compliance.

What's included

2 videos2 readings1 assignment

2 videos Total 10 minutes

Why Source Document Attachment Transforms Audit Readiness 3 minutes
Understanding Source Documents and Audit Trail Requirements 6 minutes

2 readings Total 19 minutes

Standardized Workflows for AP and AR Document Attachment 10 minutes
Attaching Source Documents to Bills in QuickBooks Online 9 minutes

1 assignment Total 3 minutes

Source Document Attachment Knowledge Check 3 minutes

You will systematically identify and resolve imbalances between detailed transaction records and summary accounts, utilizing diagnostic tools and correcting entries to maintain financial accuracy.

What's included

2 videos3 readings3 assignments

2 videos Total 14 minutes

Understanding Subsidiary Ledgers and Control Accounts 8 minutes
Preparing Correcting Journal Entries 6 minutes

3 readings Total 28 minutes

Why Ledger Reconciliation Prevents Financial Reporting Disasters 10 minutes
Diagnostic Tools for Identifying Ledger Imbalances 10 minutes
Running Reconciliation Reports and Tracing Discrepancies in QuickBooks 8 minutes

3 assignments Total 31 minutes

Comprehensive Ledger Reconciliation and Correction Assessment 10 minutes
Systematic Ledger Discrepancy Investigation and Documentation 18 minutes
Ledger Reconciliation and Correction Knowledge Check 3 minutes

You will learn systematic billing policy application for high-volume invoice processing with accuracy and compliance.

What's included

1 video2 readings2 assignments

1 video Total 7 minutes

Essential Components of Effective Billing Policies 7 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Billing Policy Framework for High-Volume Processing 10 minutes
Invoice Generation Using QuickBooks Billing Policies 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 18 minutes

Batch Invoice Processing Challenge with Policy Compliance 15 minutes
Billing Policy Application Knowledge Check 3 minutes

You will explore aged-receivables analysis and DSO calculation techniques to create data-driven collection strategies that optimize cash flow recovery.

What's included

2 videos2 readings2 assignments

2 videos Total 10 minutes

Data-Driven Collections Transform Cash Flow Management 3 minutes
DSO Calculation Methods and Interpretation Strategies 7 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Comprehensive Framework for Aged-Receivables Analysis 10 minutes
Building Collection Priority Reports Using Spreadsheet Analytics 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 13 minutes

Comprehensive Collection Strategy Assessment 10 minutes
Aged-Receivables and DSO Analysis Knowledge Check 3 minutes

You will learn systematic invoice dispute investigation by analyzing supporting documentation and applying evidence-based resolution frameworks.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

You will learn the configuration of automated recurring billing systems with payment reminders to improve cash flow and reduce manual administrative work.

What's included

1 video2 readings3 assignments

1 video Total 9 minutes

Automated Billing System Components and Benefits 9 minutes

2 readings Total 11 minutes

Recurring Invoice Setup Best Practices 6 minutes
How to Set Up Recurring Invoices in QuickBooks Online 5 minutes

3 assignments Total 38 minutes

Invoice Automation Mastery Validation 15 minutes
Configure Complete Automated Billing System 15 minutes
Automated Invoicing Knowledge Check 8 minutes

You will create a comprehensive accounts payable and receivable management system by integrating reconciliation, billing automation, and dispute resolution skills. This project simulates real-world accounting operations where multiple financial processes must work together seamlessly.