Credit Controller

Pkf-Smith-Cooper; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work during probation

25 days annual leave

Kudos Reward Scheme

Away days

Life assurance

PKF Smith Cooper Rewards

Job summary

PKF Smith Cooper in Derby is seeking a proactive Credit Controller to join our Internal Finance team. You will own a portfolio of client accounts, chase overdue payments, and help maintain healthy cash flow while building strong relationships with clients and colleagues across the firm.

Working alongside our Senior Credit Controller, you will investigate invoice queries, allocate receipts, support month-end tasks, and contribute ideas to improve processes in a growing professional services

Qualifications

• Experience in Credit Control, Collections, Accounts Receivable or similar finance role.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence discussing payments with clients.
• Professional, personable approach with ability to build strong client relationships.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging conversations.
• Good numerical skills and high attention to detail.
• Ability to investigate account queries and reconcile balances.
• Strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities.
• Experience with Excel and finance systems.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a portfolio of client accounts and monitor outstanding balances.
• Proactively contact clients by telephone, email, and written correspondence to collect overdue payments.
• Build strong relationships with clients to encourage prompt payment and resolve issues quickly.
• Investigate invoice queries and work with colleagues to find solutions.
• Allocate receipts and maintain accurate customer account records.
• Support the management of aged debt and escalate risks where appropriate.
• Assist with Direct Debit processes and reconciliations.
• Identify potential credit risks and help minimise bad debt exposure.
• Keep detailed records of collection activity and payment commitments.
• Liaise with Partners, Managers and fee earners regarding outstanding debt.
• Assist with debtor reporting and month-end activities.
• Support legal recovery processes where required.

Skills

Credit control experience

Client communications

Numerical skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Independent worker

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Finance systems

Job description

Location:Derby

Contract:Full-time (37.5 hours)

Salary: Dependent on experience

We're looking for a proactive and people-focused Credit Controller to join our Internal Finance team in Derby.

At PKF Smith Cooper, you'll play an important role in helping the business maintain healthy cash flow while building positive relationships with clients and colleagues across the firm. Working closely with our Senior Credit Controller, you'll take ownership of your own portfolio of accounts, helping to resolve queries, reduce outstanding debt and support the continued success of the business.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys problem-solving, communicating with people and making a real impact within a growing and ambitious firm.

The important work you will be doing:

• Taking ownership of a portfolio of client accounts and monitoring outstanding balances
• Proactively contacting clients by telephone, email and written correspondence to collect overdue payments
• Building strong relationships with clients to encourage prompt payment and resolve issues quickly
• Investigating invoice queries and working with colleagues across the business to find solutions
• Allocating receipts and maintaining accurate customer account records
• Supporting the management of aged debt and escalating risks where appropriate
• Assisting with Direct Debit processes and reconciliations
• Identifying potential credit risks and helping to minimise bad debt exposure
• Keeping detailed records of collection activity and payment commitments
• Liaising with Partners, Managers and fee earners regarding outstanding debt
• Assisting with debtor reporting and month-end activities
• Supporting legal recovery processes where required
• Contributing ideas to improve processes and enhance the effectiveness of the credit control function
• Delivering a professional and customer-focused approach to debt collection

The skills and experience you will bring:

• Previous experience in Credit Control, Collections, Accounts Receivable or a similar finance role
• Excellent communication skills and confidence speaking with clients about payments
• A professional and personable approach with the ability to build strong working relationships
• Strong problem-solving skills and the confidence to handle challenging conversations
• Good numerical skills and a high level of attention to detail
• The ability to investigate account queries and reconcile balances effectively
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and finance systems
• A proactive mindset and a willingness to take ownership of your workload
• The ability to work independently while also contributing to a collaborative team environment
• A desire to learn, develop and grow within a supportive business
• Experience within a professional services environment would be beneficial, but is not essential

Why PKF Smith Cooper?

PKF Smith Cooper is the 13th largest accounting firm by UK fee income (Accountancy Age Top 50+50) and a member of PKF Global, a network of legally independent firms operating in 150 countries. This global reach enables us to share expertise, specialist knowledge, and resources while delivering a personal service to our clients.

Our team of award-winning accountants and business advisors plans to double the size of our company within the next five years. As a fast-growing firm and ICAEW and ACCA Approved Training Employer, we are passionate about developing homegrown talent. Through comprehensive training, development, and progression opportunities, we can help you achieve your full potential and build a successful career in professional services.

Why Derby?

At our headquarters, located in Pride Park, you’ll find our main office, featuring three floors of bright, open-plan workspaces, breakout areas, and modern meeting rooms. Fully equipped kitchens and dining spaces are perfect for spending time away from our desks, and you can even enjoy our private, on-site gym.

What's in it for you?

• A working environment that empowers you to perform at your best, through our flexible working policy and dress for your diary scheme - Hybrid working during your probation period is subject to the manager's discretion
• Time to do what matters to you – 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays, the option to reduce annual hours for additional annual leave, and your birthday off, on us. Long-serving employees can also request a sabbatical, giving you the chance to make truly unforgettable memories
• Rewards for those who actively embrace and embody our values and culture through our Kudos Reward Scheme
• Regular social events and annual, company-wide away days, giving you the opportunity to engage with colleagues across your division and office, as well as the wider firm
• Bonus referral schemes for introducing new talent or clients so that when we benefit, you do too
• Life doesn’t stop at the end of the working day and neither do our benefits. We also offer life assurance, discounts on a huge variety of retailers through the PKF Smith Cooper Rewards Scheme, and cashback on healthcare (including dental visits, physiotherapy etc) through Simplyhealth.

Please note that we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds; however, we are unable to accept applications from candidates who require a visa to work in the UK.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.