Senior Credit Controller

Senior Credit Controller

The Role

The Senior Credit Controller role will support SHPLS’s global clients in managing the debtor book, ensuring a proactive approach to managing high-risk and doubtful debts. You will lead the credit control function, actively working to reduce the level of lock up and outstanding debts whilst ensuring compliance with the client’s cash collection policies. You will require excellent debtor management, strong interpersonal skills and a results driven approach to credit control. You will work alongside the client’s partners and revenue controllers to maximise cash collection and reduce debt write off.

You will work closely with the client finance department to deliver results-focused collection service and provide routine and ad-hoc credit control solutions.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Ownership of the debt ledger – take full responsibility for managing the debtor book, ensuring all debts are actively monitored and appropriate actions are taken to reduce aged debt.
• Debt reduction – proactively chase debts in line with the client’s policies, using telephone, email and letter correspondence to ensure timely collections, with particular focus on high value, high risk and doubtful debts.
• Credit control system utilization – utilise a credit control system and workflows to ensure all actions are recorded accurately and completed in a timely manner according to the client’s processes.
• Collaboration with internal stakeholders – build and maintain strong working relationships with Heads of Departments, partners and fee earners, to facilitate debt collection efforts.
• Identify and develop key client contacts as necessary to secure recovery.
• Oversee debts on special payment plans, ensuring payment schedules are adhered to and that the necessary follow ups are completed.
• Review of bad debt provisions – work closely with the Revenue Control Manager and other teams to assess, review and maintain the client’s bad debt provisions.
• Statutory audit – serve as a point of contact for the client’s statutory auditors during the annual audit, ensuring that all necessary supporting or third-party documentation is provided to substantiate bad debt provisions and the recoverability of the client’s debts.
• Debt collection and legal action – take appropriate action by referring debts to external debt collectors or managing small claims processes where applicable.
• Process development – collaborate with other departments to improve credit control processes and systems, ensuring the client’s collection practices remain effective and efficient.
• Cash collection targets – work with the Revenue Control Manager to set monthly cash collection targets and ensure credit control SLA (Service Level Agreements) are met.
• Query resolution – work with fee earning teams to resolve client queries to facilitate prompt payment of debt.
• Ad hoc tasks – undertake other tasks assigned by the Revenue Control Manager.
• Regular travel to other offices will be required.

 

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Education:

• GCSEs or equivalent to include English and Maths as a minimum.

Knowledge:

• Understanding of collections / credit control systems.

Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills – ability to liaise with partners on a range of billing and credit control mattes.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities and teamwork capabilities.
• Attention to detail and organizational proficiency and prioritization.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• People management experience desirable, but not essential.

Experience:

• At least 3 years’ experience of working in a credit control function in law preferred, within a professional services business essential.
• Previous experience of using collections / credit control systems.
• Experience of working with Elite 3E would be advantageous.