Credit Control Manager

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Financial Controller (FC), and the Group Treasury Manager (GTM) the Credit Control Manager (CCM) will be responsible for managing and ensuring the efficient credit control processes within the organization. The Credit Control Manager (CCM) will assess credit risks, set credit limits, ensure compliance and implementation of the CLIENT credit policy, and oversee debt collection efforts. Further, the Credit Control Manager (CCM) will maintain positive customer relationships, analyzes credit data, and prepares reports for senior management. The Credit Control Manager (CCM) will report to the Country Financial Controller (FC) and the Group Treasury Manager (GTM).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Invoicing

• Coordinate with the invoicing team to ensure accurate and approved invoices
  are sent to clients promptly.
• Ensure timely distribution of invoices and statements to clients for follow-up
  on payments.
• Raise credit note requisition documents as needed.

Debt Collection

• Set collection targets for Credit Controllers and monitor their performance.
• Issue demand letters to clients with overdue accounts and follow up to
  ensure timely payment.
• Monitor debtors' ageing and take appropriate actions for overdue accounts.
•  Liaise with third-party debt collectors when required

Accounts Administration:

• Manage and sustain client relationships.
• Coordinate with the personnel officer to ensure smooth departmental
  operations.
• Conduct credit analysis and ensure compliance with company policies.
• Supervise and appraise staff performance, following company policies and
  guidelines.
• Set guidelines and responsibilities for credit controllers, measure department
  performance with appropriate metrics.
•  Ensure credit control registers and client correspondence records are
  maintained and updated daily.
• Oversee daily calls made by credit controllers and track client interactions.
• Ensure all accounts are reconciled and reflect accurate client positions.
•  Maintain a client's complaint register and work with Heads of Department for
  resolution to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Liaise with Branch Managers to address debts at the branch level.
• Handle big and corporate clients, ensuring prompt invoicing and payment
  follow-up.
• Conduct credit vetting for new customers.

Debt Recovery Advisory:

• Advise Heads of departments, Financial Controller, and management on
  non-paying clients.
• Recommend necessary steps for debt recovery and potential termination of
  services to avoid further debt.

Receipting:

• Ensure all receipts are accurately posted daily to update client accounts.
• Safeguard all collected cheques and record postdated cheques on a register.
• Manage bounced cheques and ensure timely replacement by clients.
• Review receipt batches before posting to ensure accuracy.
• Allocate customer receipts to invoices on Omni Accounting System.

Debtors’ Accounts:

•  Implement the Group Credit Policy in the business.
• Review debtors' ageing and maintain up-to-date customer information in the
  accounting system.
• Perform monthly reviews of terminated accounts and bad debts.
• Share accurate weekly cash flow forecasts with the Financial Controller.
• Promptly reconcile all debtors' accounts monthly.
• Issue Credit and Debit Notes as authorized for account adjustments.
• Generate and share monthly debtors' statements with customers.
• Produce and review monthly Accounts Receivable reports with management.
• Liaise daily with Debt Collectors, Heads of departments, Payables
• Accountant, and Financial Controller to evaluate client payments and
  account status.
• Conduct regular Credit Control Meetings with the team, Heads of
  departments, and Financial Controller.
• Ensure all clients have executed service agreements/contracts with proper
  documentation.

Key Results Areas

• Timely and accurate invoicing and distribution of invoices and statements.
• Effective debt collection, reducing overdue accounts and debtors' ageing.
• Efficient account administration and reconciliation.
• Smooth management of client relationships and handling of complaints.
• Prompt and accurate receipting and recording of payments.
• Implementation and adherence to the Group Credit Policy.
• Regular reporting to management on debtors' accounts and cash flow forecasting.

Related Job Experience/Qualifications:

• At least 7 years of relevant working experience in this or similar roles.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or any other relevant field from a recognized university.
• Professional qualification in accounting or finance—completed CPA or ACCA qualification.
• Working knowledge of ERP and accounting software systems.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable tax laws.
• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field from a recognized university will be an added advantage

Additional Skills and Competencies:

• Management & people management skills—team building
• Planning and organizing skills
•  Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
•  Facilitation and presentation skills
• Strong documentation skills
• Stakeholder management
• Analytical, problem-solving, and great attention to detail.
• Proficiency in use of MS Office applications, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Team player.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
•  High level of integrity and confidentiality
• Experience of working in a multi-divisional, multi-national environment with cross functional, multi-cultural
  teams."