Credit Controller at CDL Human Resource

• The Credit Controller will be responsible for the efficient and effective management of the company's accounts receivable ledger, ensuring the timely collection of outstanding debts, and minimizing overdue accounts. This role requires a proactive and customer-focused individual with excellent communication and negotiation skills, a strong understanding of credit management principles, and a commitment to maintaining positive client relationships while safeguarding the company's financial interests.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Debt Collection & Accounts Receivable Management:
• Proactively contact customers (via phone, email, and letter) to follow up on outstanding invoices and secure timely payments.
• Negotiate payment plans and resolve payment discrepancies in a professional and efficient manner.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer records, including communication logs and payment statuses. Maintain and update customers’ discount rates and up charges.
• Monitor customer credit limits and payment terms, identifying and escalating potential risks.
• Reconcile all customer accounts and investigate any unallocated cash or discrepancies. Process and allocate incoming payments accurately.
• Prepare and issue statements of accounts to external customers bi-monthly.
• Collaborate with the sales and customer service teams to resolve customer queries and disputes that may impact payment.
• Monthly reconciliations and allocation of withholding VAT receivables and support inVAT filing.
• Follow up with respective banks on advices received from Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti and subsequently with customers.
• Liaison between the bank and LCS team on trade instruments such as Supplier’s Credit, Letters of Credit, Cash Against Documents, bank guarantee etc.
• Check and monitor the Unbilled deliveries and maintain the advance payments listing.
• Review and approve all Sales orders before Purchase order processing by Supply Chain based on the Customer account status.
• Coordinate follow up of customers commitments with Sales team and LCS PMs for both KEA and KET.
• Reconciliation of all Intercompany debtors’ accounts.
• Prepare and verify monthly schedules for commissions payable as per the different sales agencies.
• Visit customers as and when required.

Credit Control Procedures & Policy Adherence:

• Manage and ensure adherence to the company's credit management process.
• Identify and recommend improvements to existing credit control processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assist in setting up new customer accounts and updating changes in SAP, conduct credit checks and assess credit worthiness.
• Ensuring credit and collection policies and procedures are followed within the team regarding invoices, credit notes and other documents.
• Manage and escalate overdue accounts with the LCS Manager, to the Credit committee.
• Prepare and present bad debt provisions for review.

Reporting & Analysis:

• Generate regular reports on accounts receivable aging, debtor days, and collection performance, prepare Expected Credit Loss model as per IFRS 9.
• Analyze credit control data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide insights and recommendations to management on credit performance and potential issues.

Others:

• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with customers to facilitate effective debt collection while preserving goodwill.
• Handle customer complaints and queries relating to invoices and payments with professionalism and a problem-solving approach.
• Ensure all credit control activities comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements. Identify and mitigate credit risks to the business.
• Audit support
• Update daily exchange rates in SAP to ensure correctness of billing and reporting.

Qualification, Experience, Behaviours & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration or similar field.
• Relevant Professional qualification (ACCA, CPA or equivalent).
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in a credit control or accounts receivable role.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and experience with SAP is a Must.
• Own a valid passport and able to travel to the customers in the East Africa region.
• Proven track record of successfully collecting debts and reducing debtor days.
• Strong understanding of the various taxes applicable in the East Africa region.