Accounts Receivable & Collections Lead

Advanced Search Group; Doha; On-site; QAR 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ISL Qatar is seeking an experienced Accounts Receivable & Collections Lead to manage the school's receivables, billing, and collections with accuracy and integrity.

Reporting to Senior Accountant and Head of Finance, you will coordinate with Admissions, HR, and other departments to ensure timely cash flows, accurate month-end close, and compliance with policies. Fluency in English and Arabic is preferred for stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• At least 5 years of accounting experience, incl. 3 years AR, billing, collections, and reconciliations in a school.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles.
• Experience with ERP systems (QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle or equivalent).
• Excel and financial reporting tools proficiency.
• Experience in international school environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Owns full accounts receivable cycle: billing, allocations, collections, ageing follow-up and reconciliations.
• Ensures accurate and timely recording of financial transactions within scope.
• Reconciles parent and customer accounts, receipts, deposits, and AR control accounts with schedules for month-end.
• Manages payment plans, credit notes, and refunds with proper documentation.
• Maintains communication with parents on balances and payment arrangements.
• Manages tuition billing, invoicing, and collections per school policy.
• Prepares AR reports on ageing, collections, and doubtful debts.
• Supports audit requirements with accurate receivables documentation.

Skills

Accounting principles

Receivables controls

Financial reporting

Excel

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

QuickBooks

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Education Bachelor of Commerce(Commerce), Bachelor of Business Administration(Management)

Category Legal

Industry Education and Tutoring

The Accounts Receivable & Collections Lead is an experienced, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven finance professional responsible for leading the school s accounts receivable and collections function. The post holder ensures accurate and timely billing, collection, allocation, and reconciliation of receivables, with particular responsibility for student and parent accounts, ageing control, follow-up, and resolution of outstanding balances. Working closely with the Senior Accountant, Head of Finance, Admissions, HR, and other relevant departments, the role supports accurate financial reporting, month-end processes, and continuous improvement of receivables processes while maintaining high standards of integrity, accuracy, and compliance with ISL Qatar s policies and values.

Qualifications.

Bachelor s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field Minimum of 5 years of accounting experience, including at least 3 years of hands-on accounts receivable, billing, collections, and account reconciliation experience within a school environment. Strong knowledge of accounting principles. Proven experience with accounting and ERP systems (e.g. QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools Experience within an international school environment and familiarity with IB, ACSI, or NAIS accreditation frameworks is an advantage.

Knowledge and Skills.

He/She should: be aligned with the ISL Qatar values of diversity, passion, identity, and understanding have a thorough understanding of financial accounting principles and the ability to apply them in an international school context have the ability to develop and work within teams, maintaining effective relationships across all levels of the school administration, departments, and employees have an excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic. be proficient in the effective use of financial systems and able to support process and system improvements. demonstrate sound knowledge of receivables controls, financial policies, data confidentiality, and relevant Qatar financial, tax, and Ministry of Education requirements, with the ability to prepare and provide accurate information to support internal and external audit requirements. maintain absolute discretion when handling confidential financial, student, parent, and employee information. have the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and fulfil responsibilities within agreed timelines have the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide financial expertise and support the school s decision-making processes

Key Responsibilities.

He/She will be responsible for:

Financial Operations & Accounting

• Owns the full accounts receivable cycle, including billing, receipt allocation, collections, ageing follow-up and escalation, account reconciliation, and resolution of outstanding balances.
• Ensures accurate and timely recording of financial transactions within assigned scope
• Reconciles parent and customer accounts, receipts, deposits, payment gateways, and accounts receivable control accounts, and provides accurate supporting schedules to the Senior Accountant for month-end reporting.
• Manages approved payment plans, credit notes, and refunds, ensuring appropriate documentation and authorisation.
• Maintains regular communication with parents on account balances, statements, overdue payments, and agreed payment arrangements.
• Manages tuition billing, invoicing, and collections in line with school policies
• Ensures receipts are accurately allocated and follows up on unidentified or unmatched payments.
• Coordinates receivables related to events and activities, including student and parent charges, deposits, and activity fee collections, ensuring accurate billing, allocation, and follow-up.
• Prepares AR reports on ageing, collections, overdue balances, doubtful debts, proposed write-offs, and reconciliations for review by the Senior Accountant and Head of Finance.
• Supports audit requirements by preparing accurate receivables documentation.
• Ensures discounts, financial aid, and concessions are accurately recorded on student accounts.
• Acts as a key Finance contact for Admissions, HR, and relevant school teams, supporting queries related to student accounts, receivables, collections, and payroll information, and providing accurate factual clarification within the scope of the role.
• Provides guidance to staff on receivables processes and procedures.
• Undertakes additional responsibilities as assigned by the Head of Finance

Children Safeguarding and Welfare

ISL Qatar is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, with zero tolerance for any breaches of safeguarding standards. All applicants/new staff must undergo child protection screening, including employment references, prohibition from teaching checks, and a criminal records check (DBS or an equivalent certificate from the applicant s country of residence). All staff are required to actively support the school s child protection and safeguarding commitments by complying with relevant policies, promoting student welfare, and promptly reporting concerns to Designated Safeguarding Lead(s).

Additional Information

Education is an ever-changing field, and all staff are expected to participate positively in schools activities and to adopt a flexible approach to their work. It is understood that areas of responsibility of the job description are not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post or an exhaustive list of all duties performed. The main duties and responsibilities are indicated above. Other duties of an appropriate level and nature may also be required, as directed by the Line Manager.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of accounting experience, including at least 3 years of hands-on accounts receivable, billing, collections, and account reconciliation experience within a school environment.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles.
• Proven experience with accounting and ERP systems (e.g. QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools
• Experience within an international school environment and familiarity with IB, ACSI, or NAIS accreditation frameworks is an advantage.
• be aligned with the ISL Qatar values of diversity, passion, identity, and understanding
• have a thorough understanding of financial accounting principles and the ability to apply them in an international school context
• have the ability to develop and work within teams, maintaining effective relationships across all levels of the school administration, departments, and employees
• have an excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic.
• be proficient in the effective use of financial systems and able to support process and system improvements.
• demonstrate sound knowledge of receivables controls, financial policies, data confidentiality, and relevant Qatar financial, tax, and Ministry of Education requirements, with the ability to prepare and provide accurate information to support internal and external audit requirements.
• maintain absolute discretion when handling confidential financial, student, parent, and employee information.
• have the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and fulfil responsibilities within agreed timelines
• have the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide financial expertise and support the school s decision-making processes
• All applicants/new staff must undergo child protection screening, including employment references, prohibition from teaching checks, and a criminal records check (DBS or an equivalent certificate from the applicant s country of residence).
• All staff are required to actively support the school s child protection and safeguarding commitments by complying with relevant policies, promoting student welfare, and promptly reporting concerns to Designated Safeguarding Lead(s).