Collections Advisor

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Southampton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Hilton-Baird Collection Services is seeking a proactive Collections Advisor to join our growing team. You will manage a portfolio of live and overdue accounts, making 50-80 calls per day, resolve queries, and agree payment plans where appropriate. Hybrid working opportunities are available.

We value clarity, integrity and practical thinking, and provide access to professional qualifications. GCSE level education required and knowledge of credit control is desirable.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard or above; business/accountancy qualifications are desirable.
• Knowledge of credit control and experience in collections or credit control roles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership and manage a portfolio of live, current and overdue debit balance customer accounts, making 50-80 calls per day.
• Obtain payments, resolve queries and approve payment plans when appropriate.
• Prioritise tasks to meet business targets and team KPIs.
• Liaise with clients and provide updates on customer accounts.
• Maintain quality and professionalism while accurately controlling ledgers.
• Suggest process improvements to streamline the collections workflow.

Skills

Communication skills

Credit control knowledge

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Independence

Education

GCSE or equivalent

Business/Accountancy qualification desirable

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Sage or similar

Job description

Hilton-Baird Collection Services is an experienced and FCA-authorised commercial debt collection agency, with a proven track record in delivering excellent results on behalf of our clients.

Established in 2001, we provide tailored debt recovery and credit control solutions to businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large corporate entities, as well as the biggest banks, independent financiers and Insolvency Practitioners across the UK and Europe.

Hilton-Baird is part of FRP Advisory Group, a leading national business advisory firm with 35 offices and more than 900 team members, including over 100 Partners, across the UK and overseas. We’re a group that values clarity, integrity, and considered thinking - and we’re always looking for talented people to help our clients make confident, informed decisions.

Job Description

Role overview

We’re looking for Collections Advisors to join our growing and award-winning team at Hilton Baird Collections Services, part of FRP Advisory. Working across all areas of our product portfolio, the Collections Advisor will be responsible for recovering money on behalf of our valued SME, corporate, lender and insolvency clients in the most timely, compliant and efficient manner. The role also involves meeting personal and team targets and ensuring that the highest levels of quality and professionalism are always maintained. We offer a supportive and fast-paced working environment with hybrid working opportunities. You'll also have access to professional and industry recognised qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership and manage a portfolio of live, current and overdue debit balance customer accounts, making 50-80 calls per day
• Obtain payments, resolve queries/disputes and where appropriate agree on payment plans in a timely and satisfactory manner
• Manage workload and prioritise tasks to meet business targets and team KPIs
• Liaise with clients and provide updates on customer accounts
• Maintain quality and professionalism while accurately controlling ledgers
• Make recommendations to improve departmental processes ensuring that debtors and bank customers are processed through the collections process as smoothly as possible
• Perform against individual targets while contributing to the overall productivity of the team
• Facilitate and record escalations and issues outside the standard processes to the Collections Manager
• Perform any duties required as part of special projects

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard or above. Business or Accountancy-based qualifications are desirable
• Knowledge of credit control and experience in collections or credit control roles (legal collections experience preferred)
• Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills
• High attention to detail and computer proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook, Sage or similar)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Hardworking, punctual, reliable and able to work under pressure
• Self-motivated, adaptable and eager to learn and develop

Additional Information

Our Values

• Straightforward: We provide clear, no-nonsense advice
• Confident: Our guidance is backed by expertise and evidence
• Pragmatic: We focus on practical solutions and tangible outcomes
• Real: We are professional yet approachable, understanding the challenges our clients face

Our Commitment to You and the Environment

At FRP, sustainability is integral to our strategy and operations. Our sustainability depends on building and maintaining meaningful, long-term relationships with all our stakeholders – including our employees, clients, and local communities – while also reducing our impact on the natural environment.

We are always striving to improve in all areas – whether it’s our people, our clients, our planet or our governance. Our ongoing success as a business depends on our sustainability and agility in a changing and challenging global landscape.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse culture for our people. We maintain an Equal Opportunities Policy, ensuring that recruitment and employment decisions are based solely on the skills and experience required for our professional services — regardless of ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We believe every individual should have the opportunity to thrive.

Our learning and development programmes enable us to invest in growing our employees’ careers. We aim to empower our team members to each achieve their potential.

We are committed to growing long-term relationships with our clients and supporting them in achieving their objectives. We understand that our clients’ sustainability and success lead to our sustainability and success. We are emotionally invested in our clients right from the beginning.