Senior Credit Control Executive
Reporting To: Credit Control Manager
Key Responsibilities
- Report directly to the Credit Control Manager and support the execution of the company's credit control strategy.
- Take a hands-on role in managing the full spectrum of credit control and accounts receivable activities on a daily basis.
- Lead the company's credit control and accounts receivable function, ensuring effective credit risk management and timely collection of outstanding debts.
- Develop, review, and implement credit control policies, procedures, and internal controls to mitigate financial risk.
- Assess and approve customer credit applications, establish appropriate credit limits, and conduct periodic credit reviews based on financial performance and payment history.
- Perform credit risk analysis using financial statements, payment trends, industry information, and commercial data to recommend credit decisions.
- Monitor debtor ageing, collection performance, and key credit metrics, taking proactive measures to minimize bad debt exposure.
- Personally follow up on overdue accounts, negotiate repayment plans, resolve billing disputes, and maintain strong customer relationships to achieve collection targets.
- Work closely with the Sales, Operations, and Finance teams to balance commercial objectives with prudent credit risk management.
- Review and recommend credit hold/release decisions in accordance with company policies.
- Prepare detailed ageing analysis, collection forecasts, DSO (Days Sales Outstanding), bad debt provision reports, KPI reports, and management reports for the Credit Control Manager and senior management.
- Perform customer account reconciliations and investigate discrepancies to ensure accurate accounts receivable records.
- Support weekly meetings, month-end and year-end closing activities related to accounts receivable, including journal entries and reconciliation schedules.
- Coordinate legal recovery actions and work with external debt collection agencies where necessary.
- Drive process improvement initiatives, Accounting & ERP system enhancements, and automation projects to improve operational efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and company financial policies.
- Coach and guide junior Credit Control team members on collection strategies, account management, and best practices.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the Credit Control Manager.
Requirements
- ACCA, CPA, or a Diploma/Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in Credit Control or Accounts Receivable, preferably in the FMCG, wholesale or distribution industry.
- Proven hands-on experience managing a large customer portfolio and high-volume transactions.
- Strong knowledge of credit risk assessment, financial analysis, debt recovery strategies, and collection best practices.
- Experience developing and implementing credit control policies and process improvements.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and hands-on experience with Accounting, Business, and ERP systems (e.g. SAP or equivalent).
- Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Self-motivated, hands-on, detail-oriented, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Able to prioritize competing deadlines and make sound commercial decisions.
- Experience mentoring, coaching, or supervising junior team members will be an advantage.
- Willing to work on a 5.5-day work week, & when required to support business operations and month-end activities.