Finance Officer: Accounts Receivable

Sappi; Durban; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A global provider of sustainable products is seeking an experienced Finance Officer - Accounts Receivable in Durban. The ideal candidate will oversee credit control operations, analyze customer risk, and ensure compliance with credit policies. A Bachelor's degree and strong management experience are required. This role focuses on enhancing cash collection processes and risk management, offering competitive compensation in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant Credit Risk and Credit Management experience.
• Experience in supervision or management.
• Proficiency in MS Office and SAP.

Responsibilities

• Supervising the credit control team and improving processes.
• Analyzing work performed by credit controllers.
• Reviewing financial statements to make recommendations.
• Conducting data analysis to identify risks.
• Monitoring overdue accounts and cash management processes.

Skills

Credit Risk Management

Data Analysis

Team Supervision

Financial Analysis

MS Office

SAP

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance or related equivalent

Credit Risk Certification preferred

Job description

Job description:

We are hiring!

At Sappi, we are a leading global provider with a reputation for delivering high-quality sustainable woodfibre products and solutions for the global markets. We lead through our values centered around safety, integrity, courage, and making smart decisions, which we execute with speed. We are seeking unique people who believe in fostering a diverse, inclusive, and safe environment.

We are looking for an experienced Finance Officer - Accounts Receivable to manage and analyze Sappi Southern Africa’s (SSA) customer accounts in accordance with credit policies and procedures. The role will implement controls to avoid non-compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, loss of revenue, deterioration in cash and bad debts, and will prepare risk reports to inform management promptly of key business risks. This position will oversee two functions: cash collections and credit risk.

As a Finance Officer - Accounts Receivable, your responsibilities will include:

• Supervising the credit control team, reviewing work completed to identify and close gaps, improve processes, provide coaching, and guidance on complex reviews and customer queries.
• Analyzing and evaluating work performed by credit controllers for new and existing customer accounts.
• Reviewing credit bureau data and financial statements, validating information before making recommendations to senior management for approval.
• Guiding the team to conduct data analysis of customer accounts daily to identify risks and ensure appropriate controls are in place.
• Analyzing overdue accounts and aging reports, intervening promptly to find resolutions.
• Identifying insurance gaps and liaising with the insurer to obtain maximum coverage to reduce Sappi’s risk.
• Monitoring and tracking temporary credit limits and overdue customers, preparing for the next review.
• Assessing if rebate payments can be released in line with customer payment terms.
• Preparing and submitting customer information for commercial review to senior management.
• Coordinating information in the preparation of bi-annual board papers, including customer trading history, credit, and insured limits.
• Extracting, analyzing, and preparing monthly reports such as SSA and Global Credit Risk Reports, Credit Insurance Declarations, and other ad hoc credit reports.
• Gathering and coordinating information and data from SAP for budgets, forecasts, and quarterly and bi-annual reports.

• Monitoring the cash management process, including cash application and cash clearing.
• Preparing and submitting weekly cash forecasts for review.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance or a related equivalent qualification.
• Credit Risk Certification preferred; substantial progress towards an Honours Degree is a plus.
• 3 or more years of relevant Credit Risk and Credit Management experience.
• Supervision or management experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office and SAP.