Credit Controller - Port Elizabeth

Headhunters; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Headhunters seeks an experienced Credit Controller/Accounts Receivable specialist to manage timely collections and maintain accurate customer records in SAP. You will monitor overdue accounts, converse with customers, and coordinate with sales and finance teams to ensure terms are met and data are clean.

The role emphasizes strong attention to detail, confidentiality, and professional client communication in a fast-paced environment. SAP and Excel proficiency are required.

Qualifications

• Matric with Accounting and Mathematics.
• 3–5 years’ experience in Credit Control / Accounts Receivable.
• Solid understanding of basic accounting principles.
• SAP experience is essential.
• Intermediate Excel proficiency.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Well-spoken, articulate, and professional communication skills.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential financial and customer information responsibly.
• Identify potential bad debt, irregularities, and suspicious transactions.
• Strong reconciliation, payment allocation, and account management skills.
• Work independently while supporting colleagues in the finance department.

Responsibilities

• Manage the timely collection of monies owing to the company and ensure customers remain within agreed payment terms.
• Monitor overdue accounts and debtor days, using email, WhatsApp, and telephone follow-ups where required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers to facilitate effective credit control and collections.
• Proactively submit invoices, statements, PODs, and supporting documentation to customers to ensure prompt payment.
• Respond to customer queries professionally and provide timely feedback.
• Monitor slow-paying customers and report potential bad debt to the Financial Director.
• Monitor customer orders and release orders in accordance with agreed credit limits and payment terms.
• Communicate with customers, sales representatives, and management when credit limits or payment terms are exceeded.
• Identify and action requirements for releasing orders placed on hold.
• Submit term-account applications and relevant correspondence to TransUnion or other applicable credit bureaus.
• Assist with credit assessments and determining appropriate credit limits in accordance with company policies.
• Ensure account applications, company documentation, credit reports, and authorisation correspondence are accurately saved on the Finance shared drive.
• Follow up on outstanding deposits in line with weekly shipment cut-off dates when required.
• Verify customer account balances and banking details before releasing orders against proof of payment.
• Carefully verify payment references to ensure payments are allocated to the correct customer accounts.
• Ensure new clients are not released against proof of payment unless payment is guaranteed or written director authorisation has been obtained.
• Process customer payments received via bank statements daily.
• Accurately allocate customer payments in accordance with remittances and request outstanding remittances where necessary.
• Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, payment history, credit decisions, and important account notes.
• Record relevant customer information and credit decisions in SAP for visibility across the finance team.
• Prepare detailed customer account reconciliations when required.
• Report irregularities and suspicious transactions to the Financial Director immediately.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual credit control reports, including feedback on overdue accounts.
• Process authorised credit notes and claims in SAP.
• Process discounts and bad debt write-off journals in SAP once authorised.
• Assist with documentation and information required for company audits.
• Provide support to colleagues during periods of leave.
• Work closely with debt collectors and legal teams to assist with the recovery of outstanding debt.
• Assist with opening new customer accounts in SAP when required.
• Adhere to company policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Effectively utilise company equipment, software, systems, and training platforms.
• Maintain a professional and tidy workplace.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Relationship building

Time management

Communication skills

Work under pressure

Independent worker

Education

Matric with Accounting and Mathematics

Tools

SAP

Excel

Microsoft Teams

Outlook

Word

Job description

Requirements:

• Matric with Accounting and Mathematics.
• 3–5 years’ experience in a similar Credit Control / Accounts Receivable role.
• Solid understanding of basic accounting principles.
• SAP experience is essential.
• Intermediate Excel proficiency.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Well-spoken, articulate, and professional communication skills.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential financial and customer information responsibly.
• Ability to identify potential bad debt, irregularities, and suspicious transactions.
• Strong reconciliation, payment allocation, and account management skills.
• Ability to work independently while also supporting colleagues within the finance department.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the timely collection of monies owing to the company and ensure customers remain within agreed payment terms.
• Monitor overdue accounts and debtor days, using email, WhatsApp, and telephone follow-ups where required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers to facilitate effective credit control and collections.
• Proactively submit invoices, statements, PODs, and supporting documentation to customers to ensure prompt payment.
• Respond to customer queries professionally and provide timely feedback.
• Monitor slow-paying customers and report potential bad debt to the Financial Director.
• Monitor customer orders and release orders in accordance with agreed credit limits and payment terms.
• Communicate with customers, sales representatives, and management when credit limits or payment terms are exceeded.
• Identify and action requirements for releasing orders placed on hold.
• Submit term-account applications and relevant correspondence to TransUnion or other applicable credit bureaus.
• Assist with credit assessments and determining appropriate credit limits in accordance with company policies.
• Ensure account applications, company documentation, credit reports, and authorisation correspondence are accurately saved on the Finance shared drive.
• Follow up on outstanding deposits in line with weekly shipment cut-off dates when required.
• Verify customer account balances and banking details before releasing orders against proof of payment.
• Carefully verify payment references to ensure payments are allocated to the correct customer accounts.
• Ensure new clients are not released against proof of payment unless payment is guaranteed or written director authorisation has been obtained.
• Process customer payments received via bank statements daily.
• Accurately allocate customer payments in accordance with remittances and request outstanding remittances where necessary.
• Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, payment history, credit decisions, and important account notes.
• Record relevant customer information and credit decisions in SAP for visibility across the finance team.
• Prepare detailed customer account reconciliations when required.
• Report irregularities and suspicious transactions to the Financial Director immediately.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual credit control reports, including feedback on overdue accounts.
• Process authorised credit notes and claims in SAP.
• Process discounts and bad debt write-off journals in SAP once authorised.
• Assist with documentation and information required for company audits.
• Provide support to colleagues and work buddies during periods of leave.
• Work closely with debt collectors and legal teams to assist with the recovery of outstanding debt.
• Assist with opening new customer accounts in SAP when required.
• Adhere to company policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Effectively utilise company equipment, software, systems, and training platforms.
• Maintain a professional and tidy workplace.