Credit Controller

Skoulikas Bedford Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the import business is seeking a Credit Controller to manage financial relationships and ensure effective credit control. You will be responsible for the banking and allocation of receipts, negotiation of payment plans, and maintaining accurate records. The ideal candidate will possess strong attention to detail, effective communication skills, and relevant experience in a high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a high-volume sales ledger/accounts receivable environment is required.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel for managing accounts.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely banking and allocation of receipts.
• Negotiate payment plans and handle customer payments.
• Produce management reports and debtor statements.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Confidentiality

Education

Bookkeeping qualification or equivalent

Tools

Sage

Excel

Job description

Role: Ensures that companies receive the money from businesses and customers who owe them. The duties include ensuring receipts are banked and allocated accurately and timely, handling credit assessments, negotiating payment plans, and maintaining accurate financial records.

Reporting to: Financial Director

Responsibilities

• Ensure receipts are banked promptly and in full and allocated on a timely and accurate basis
• Ensure a high-quality service to internal and external stakeholders at all times
• Check and review customers' credit and approve or deny it based on industry standards
• Negotiate payment plans and set up terms and conditions
• Set up payment plans and work with third parties to recover debts
• Take payments from customers over the phone by credit card
• Ensure customers pay on time and charge them if applicable for overdue invoices
• Set up new customer accounts
• Produce monthly account statements for all customers
• Initiate legal proceedings if clients do not pay their debts on time
• Maintain accurate records
• Implement changes in the company's credit control system
• Liaise with colleagues to investigate anomalies and deal with queries promptly
• Coordinate with solicitors and bailiffs
• Produce management reports weekly, monthly, or as needed, including spreadsheets for review
• Investigate and process refunds, credit notes, and adjustments
• Handle customer queries that may arise
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers, managing issues, opportunities, and threats as they arise
• Produce various debtor reports used within the business
• Handle incoming calls and emails from customers and the sales team

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven experience in a high-volume sales ledger/accounts receivable environment
• Recognized bookkeeping, credit control, or customer service qualification
• Sage system knowledge
• Intermediate Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups) advantageous
• Proven collections/credit control experience
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Good working knowledge of Excel
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment
• Ability to work independently under time constraints
• Maintain confidentiality
• Prioritize and organize workload, multitask, adapt quickly, and meet deadlines
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with the sales team, Dole PLC, and finance colleagues
• Excellent time management skills and attention to detail
• Experience in the food import business is a plus but not essential
• Regular filing to ensure an organized department
• Support for team members and general administrative duties to support daily operations
• Awareness of product safety, legality, and quality standards, ensuring products meet specifications before leaving the premises

The company reserves the right to assign additional duties as necessary during employment.