Senior Credit Controller

PKF Smith Cooper Limited; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Birthday off

Kudos Reward Scheme

Regular social events

Referral bonus scheme

Life assurance

Employee discounts (PKF Smith Cooper)

Healthcare cashback

Job summary

PKF Smith Cooper Limited is looking for an experienced Senior Credit Controller to join our Internal Finance team in Derby. You will own cash collection, reduce debtor days and support the firm's financial success while building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders across the firm.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, you'll manage complex accounts, drive process improvements, and mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Credit Control role, ideally at a senior level.
• Proven track record of managing and recovering aged debt.
• Experience dealing with complex debtor issues and escalations.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• The ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience producing reports and analysing debtor performance.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and finance systems.
• A proactive, commercially minded approach.
• Experience supporting or mentoring colleagues would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a portfolio of accounts and manage outstanding debt.
• Proactively chase overdue balances by telephone, email and written correspondence.
• Monitor aged debt and identify risks and recovery opportunities.
• Resolve billing disputes and payment issues efficiently.
• Allocate receipts and maintain accurate debtor records.
• Agree and monitor payment plans where appropriate.
• Manage the Direct Debit process, including reconciliations and controls.
• Support legal escalation activity and liaise with external solicitors.
• Prepare aged debtor reports and management information.
• Support month-end processes and bad debt provisioning.
• Identify trends and recommend improvements to debtor performance.
• Build strong relationships with Partners, Managers and fee earners to resolve debt issues.
• Acting as an escalation point for complex credit control matters.
• Supporting and mentoring junior members of the team.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of credit control processes and systems.

Skills

Credit Control

Debt recovery

Negotiation

Relationship Building

Organisational Skills

Reporting

Commercial Awareness

Mentoring

Escalations

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Finance systems

Job description

Location:Derby

Contract:Full-time (37.5 hours)

Salary: Dependent on experience

We are looking for an experienced Senior Credit Controller to join our Internal Finance team in Derby.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a key function within one of the Midlands' leading accountancy and business advisory firms. You'll play a vital role in driving cash collection, reducing debtor days and supporting the financial success of the business, whilst building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders across the firm.

Working closely with the Financial Controller, Partners and Managers, you'll manage complex accounts, support continuous improvement initiatives and help ensure our credit control processes remain efficient, proactive and commercially focused.

The Important Work You Will Be Doing:

• Taking ownership of a portfolio of accounts and managing outstanding debt

• Proactively chasing overdue balances via telephone, email and written correspondence

• Monitoring aged debt and identifying risks and recovery opportunities

• Resolving billing disputes and payment issues efficiently

• Allocating receipts and maintaining accurate debtor records

• Agreeing and monitoring payment plans where appropriate

• Managing the Direct Debit process, including reconciliations and controls

• Supporting legal escalation activity and liaising with external solicitors

• Preparing aged debtor reports and management information

• Supporting month-end processes and bad debt provisioning

• Identifying trends and recommending improvements to debtor performance

• Building strong relationships with Partners, Managers and fee earners to resolve debt issues

• Acting as an escalation point for complex credit control matters

• Supporting and mentoring junior members of the team

• Contributing to the continuous improvement of credit control processes and systems

The Skills and Experience You Will Bring:

• Previous experience in a Credit Control role, ideally at a senior level

• A proven track record of managing and recovering aged debt

• Experience dealing with complex debtor issues and escalations

• Strong communication and negotiation skills

• The ability to build effective relationships at all levels

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail

• Experience producing reports and analysing debtor performance

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and finance systems

• A proactive, commercially minded approach

• Experience supporting or mentoring colleagues would be advantageous

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?

Our benefits package has been designed around our people and shaped by our values. As part of Team PKF Smith Cooper, here are some of the things you can expect:

• 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.