Debtors Clerk (Freelance)

Ogilvy South Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 134,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ogilvy South Africa, Johannesburg, is seeking a Freelance Debtors Clerk to manage a portfolio of customer accounts, ensure accurate record-keeping, and drive timely collections.

You will perform reconciliations, monitor aging, allocate payments, and resolve queries, working with internal teams to maintain control across invoicing and cash flow.

Candidates should have 3-5 years in AR, a finance qualification, strong Excel skills, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach to working independently.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in a Debtors / Accounts Receivable environment.
• Diploma or relevant qualification in Finance, Accounting or a related field.
• Experience managing a debtor portfolio independently.
• Strong understanding of debtor reconciliations, collections and ageing analysis.
• Experience with SOX controls and audit requirements will be advantageous.
• Good numerical and analytical ability.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple accounts and competing demands.
• Reliable, organised and self-motivated.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated portfolio of debtor accounts and ensure accounts are maintained accurately and timeously.
• Perform weekly and monthly debtor account reconciliations, investigating and resolving variances.
• Monitor the debtors ageing and actively follow up on outstanding and overdue balances.
• Engage with clients regarding outstanding invoices, payment queries, disputes, account balances and remittance advice.
• Ensure customer payments are accurately allocated to the relevant accounts and invoices.
• Investigate and resolve unallocated cash, unidentified payments and account discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate records of collection activities, payment commitments and follow-ups.
• Provide meaningful commentary on the monthly debtors ageing, highlighting risks, overdue balances, disputes and expected collections.
• Assist with cash flow and collection forecasts by providing accurate information on expected customer receipts.
• Liaise with internal departments, including Client Service, Production, Finance and Billing, to resolve invoicing and account-related queries.
• Identify potential collection risks and elevate problematic or long-outstanding accounts appropriately.
• Assist with month-end and year-end debtor reporting and reconciliations.
• Assist with internal, external and SOX audits, providing supporting documentation and account information when required.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, finance procedures and internal controls.
• Maintain appropriate supporting documentation and audit trails for debtor-related transactions.
• Assist with ad hoc finance duties and projects as required by the Debtors and Finance Manager.

Skills

Strong numerical and analyticalability

High level of accuracy and attention

Ability to work under pressure

Independent worker with accountability

Communication and relationship skills

Education

Diploma or relevant qualification in Finance/Accounting

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Business Central/Navision

Job description

The Freelance Debtors Clerk will be responsible for the effective management of an allocated portfolio of customer accounts, ensuring accurate account maintenance, timely collections, reconciliations and resolution of outstanding queries. The role requires a proactive and detail-oriented individual who can work independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams and clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage an allocated portfolio of debtor accounts and ensure accounts are maintained accurately and timeously.
• Perform weekly and monthly debtor account reconciliations, investigating and resolving variances.
• Monitor the debtors ageing and actively follow up on outstanding and overdue balances.
• Engage with clients regarding outstanding invoices, payment queries, disputes, account balances and remittance advice.
• Ensure customer payments are accurately allocated to the relevant accounts and invoices.
• Investigate and resolve unallocated cash, unidentified payments and account discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate records of collection activities, payment commitments and follow-ups.
• Provide meaningful commentary on the monthly debtors ageing, highlighting risks, overdue balances, disputes and expected collections.
• Assist with cash flow and collection forecasts by providing accurate information on expected customer receipts.
• Liaise with internal departments, including Client Service, Production, Finance and Billing, to resolve invoicing and account-related queries.
• Identify potential collection risks and elevate problematic or long-outstanding accounts appropriately.
• Assist with month-end and year-end debtor reporting and reconciliations.
• Assist with internal, external and SOX audits, providing supporting documentation and account information when required.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, finance procedures and internal controls.
• Maintain appropriate supporting documentation and audit trails for debtor-related transactions.
• Assist with ad hoc finance duties and projects as required by the Debtors and Finance Manager.

Requirements

• 3-5 years' experience in a Debtors / Accounts Receivable environment.
• Diploma or relevant qualification in Finance, Accounting or a related field.
• Previous experience managing a debtor portfolio independently.
• Strong understanding of debtor reconciliations, collections and ageing analysis.
• Good understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
• Experience with Business Central / Navision will be advantageous.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with SOX controls and audit requirements will be advantageous.
• Good numerical and analytical ability.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple accounts and competing demands.
• Reliable, organised and self-motivated.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Soft Skills / Competencies

• Communication - communicates clearly, professionally and confidently with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Relationship Management - builds positive working relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries and professionalism.
• Professional Assertiveness - able to have firm but respectful conversations regarding overdue payments, disputes and outstanding matters.
• Problem Solving - investigates issues, identifies root causes and takes a practical approach to resolving them.
• Ownership & Accountability - takes responsibility for allocated accounts and follows matters through to resolution.
• Time Management - effectively prioritises workload and manages competing deadlines.
• Resilience - remains calm, professional and solutions-focused when dealing with pressure or challenging situations.
• Teamwork - works collaboratively with colleagues and other departments to achieve shared objectives.
• Adaptability - responds positively to changing priorities, processes and systems.
• Initiative - proactively identifies issues and takes appropriate action without requiring constant supervision.
• Integrity & Confidentiality - handles financial and customer information responsibly and with discretion.
• Maturity & Professionalism - demonstrates sound judgement, reliability and professional conduct.
• Results Focus - demonstrates commitment to achieving collection objectives and resolving outstanding matters.

Key Attributes

The successful candidate will be a mature, commercially aware and solutions-focused finance professional who takes ownership of their portfolio and is confident dealing with both clients and internal stakeholders.

They should be proactive, dependable and adaptable, with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and professionalism.

The individual should also demonstrate a strong collections mindset, with the confidence and persistence required to drive outstanding accounts and commitments through to resolution.