Senior Credit Controller

Education/Qualification

• Notre Dame 6th Form College – A-Levels in RSA 1 and 2, demonstrating foundational knowledge in finance and accounting principles
•  Allerton High School – 7 GCSEs Achieved, including Mathematics and English

Systems used

• Microsoft Word and Excel – V-Lookups and Pivot Tables
•  SAP / Oracle
• Sage 500 and Sage X3
• Salesforce / Vencura (Talisman)
• NetSuite / AS400
• Navision / Saffron
• Other in-house systems

Career Summary

Current Employer – Railway company

Position – Senior Credit Controller (6 Month Contract)

Dates – December – Present

• Oversee a team of 8 credit controllers
• Collection of payments in line with terms of credit agreement
• Nurture client relationships and resolve queries promptly
• Negotiate and produce payment plans
• Monitor aged debt, create and present reports
• Assess creditworthiness

Previous Employer – Ground and Cargo handling services

Position – Senior Credit Controller

Dates – July 2023 – November 2024

• Lead initiatives to optimise ledger management and enhance cash flow
• Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for streamlined audit processes
• Collaborated with treasury and accounts payable teams to ensure compliance with financial transactions

Previous Employer – Recruiting Agency

Position – Credit Control Team Leader

Dates – July 2022 – July 2023

• Promoted to Team Leader, overseeing a team of six, comprising four Credit Controllers and two Accounts Receivable specialists
• Led the team in executing daily strategic goals to consistently meet and exceed monthly financial targets
• Conducted weekly team meetings focused on detailed ledger reviews to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Initiated cross-departmental meetings with billing and client services to collaboratively address issues and share innovative solutions
• Streamlined communication with Sales Directors, reducing meetings from twice weekly to bi-weekly, enhancing efficiency
• Advocated for site visits to challenging clients, strengthening relationships and resolving complex billing and payment issues
• Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices, driving operational excellence.

• Successfully led the team to achieve an ambitious monthly cash collection target of £12 million
• Established and reached daily and monthly cash collection goals, significantly reducing the (DSO) days from 22 to 5 days by the second quarter
• Conducted Performance Development Reviews (PDRs) for all team members, fostering professional growth and development
• Collaborated with a recruitment consultant to hire three new team members, all of whom successfully passed probation
• Organised a highly acclaimed team event for the Transactional Finance department and planned future events for the next two quarters
• Implemented diverse motivational strategies, both in-office and remotely, to maintain high team morale and engagement

Previous Employer – Library

Position – Accounts Payable Specialist – Credit Card Project

Dates – October 2021 – July 2022

• Managed reconciliation of expenses across 15 countries, ensuring compliance and accuracy
• Supported invoice processing and contributed to various ad hoc financial projects

Previous Employer – Software Company

Position – Senior Order to Cash (OTC) Associate

Dates – June 2021 – October 2021

• Facilitated timely cash collection and credit risk management to enhance revenue recognition
• Standardised processes across the order-to-cash cycle to improve accuracy and reporting

Previous Employer – Facilities Support Services Company

Position – Senior Key Accounts and Supplier Statement Reconciliation Associate

Dates – November 2020 – July 2021

• Promoted to a senior role by demonstrating leadership and effective communication
• Managed supplier relationships to resolve recurring issues and improve account reconciliations

Previous Employer – Outdoor Clothing and Footwear Retail

Position – Senior Credit Controller

Dates – February 2019 – March 2020 (Various Contracts)

• Managed outstanding sales balances, negotiating repayment plans, and authorising credit facilities
• Conducted creditworthiness assessments and set credit limits based on customer turnover
• Reduced debtor days significantly, meeting and exceeding monthly cash targets consistently

Previous Employer – Burntwood

Position – Senior Credit Controller

Dates – June 2019 – November 2019

• Managed aged debtors for Scitech accounts, overseeing 800+ customer accounts and significantly reducing debtor days from records as far back as 2017 to the present year
• Prepared and distributed customer statements, facilitating account reconciliation and alignment
• Generated comprehensive weekly debtor reports, providing insightful comments and analysis to inform decision-making
• Proactively increased the number of customers enrolled in Direct Debit, enhancing cash flow and payment consistency
• Maintained up-to-date debtor notes within the finance system to ensure accurate tracking and accountability
• Regularly chased Service Space and Virtual debt, promptly addressing arrears and direct debit cancellations to minimise financial risk
• Fostered strong relationships with Asset and Property Managers through weekly meetings and Excel updates on customer status and debts
• Effectively communicated and documented customer queries, ensuring timely and satisfactory resolution
• Achieved a remarkable reduction in Key Accounts Debtor Days from 2017/18 to 30 days and decreased aged debt from over £1.8 million to £57,000

Previous Employer – Telecommunications Service Provider

Position – Senior Credit Controller

Dates – August 2018 – October 2018

• Achieved substantial reductions in aged debt, exceeding target reductions within eight weeks
• Facilitated cash collections and resolved queries through effective communication with stakeholders

Previous Employer – Pressure Washing Service 

Position – Credit Controller

Dates – February 2018 – August 2018

• Managed a comprehensive ledger of 600-700 invoices, executing approximately 30-40 outgoing calls daily to ensure timely collection of outstanding accounts via telephone, email, and written correspondence
• Collaborated closely with Account Managers (Escrow Sales) and key stakeholders to resolve client queries and follow up on outstanding purchase orders, ensuring effective communication and resolution
• Conducted monthly debt reviews with the team manager and participated in weekly forecast meetings to provide expected payment updates and strategic insights
• Maintained detailed and concise progress notes on all communications within the internal database, ensuring transparency and accountability
• Established portal access to streamline the processing of raised credit paperwork and invoices, enhancing operational efficiency
• Issued and reconciled invoices and credits, administered journals, and processed refunds as necessary, ensuring all financial transactions were accurately recorded
• Managed the Credit Control inbox daily, resolving email queries promptly to maintain high levels of customer service with both internal and external clients
• Led a successful 3-month cash collection initiative in collaboration with the Sales team, achieving a leading position with a 70% cash collection rate within four weeks, targeting a total debt collection of £254,095 by year-end
• Appointed to head the Escrow Query Resolution Team for key accounts, achieving a 78.1% overall cash collection success rate

Previous Employer – Pharmaceutical Company

Position – Senior Accounts Payable Clerk

Dates – September 2017 – April 2018

• Processed between 100-130 invoices daily for the UK market, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies
• Conducted daily reports for Parked, Posted, and Completeness checks using SAP, enhancing financial accuracy and accountability
• Successfully reduced the parked invoice value from £650k to £300k in a single day, demonstrating effective problem-solving and efficiency
• Managed daily statements and resolved inbox queries promptly to maintain smooth financial operations
• Processed travel expense reports, ensuring compliance with company regulations and timely reimbursement
• Cultivated effective working relationships with vendors and colleagues at all internal levels, fostering a collaborative work environment
• Provided support to other business areas as needed, including assisting with audit preparation and backup report generation

Previous Employer – Natural Gas Distribution Company

Position – Senior Accounts Payable / Receivable Analyst

Dates – May 2017 – September 2017

• Continued the implementation of the Procedure to Pay (P2P) process, maintaining and enforcing the No PO No Pay framework, SAP implementation, and centralising the Accounts Payable team
• Regularly reviewed, documented, and updated all processes and procedures to ensure compliance and efficiency
• Conducted regular customer review meetings to evaluate performance against KPIs and SLAs, identifying areas for improvement and streamlining processes
• Collaborated with multiple entities across the EU and US to enhance P2P compliance, standardise payment terms, and control expenses
• Established strong business partnerships and acted as an Account Manager across various business areas, addressing issues and implementing improvements
• Focused on process improvement by eliminating non-value-adding activities and developing standardised operating procedures and process maps for P2P
• Managed and resolved queries, performed root cause analysis, and provided recommendations to mitigate future issues within Accounts Payable
• Developed user-friendly metrics to give business areas a clear understanding of P2P financial impacts and analyse performance
• Conducted GR/IR reconciliations to ensure accurate spend reporting and avoid overstatements
• Ensured timely and accurate invoice entry, query resolution, and payment issuance to prevent late charges
• Validated expenses to ensure employee compliance with submission guidelines
• Responded to all queries within SLAs, significantly reducing the query inbox from over 2,500 emails to 310 within a three-day SLA timeframe

Previous Employer – Food Services Company

Position – Senior Accounts Payable

Dates – November 2016 – May 2017

• Oversaw sensitive vendor accounts, reducing aged debt and implementing process improvements
• Facilitated new system implementations and provided training for team members

Previous Employer – Train Operating Company

Position – Senior Accounts Payable

Dates – November 2016 – May 2017

• Managed supplier accounts, ensuring timely validation and payment of invoices
• Supported franchise transitions to maintain continuity and operational efficiency

Previous Employer – Supplier of tool and equipment hire

Position – Credit Control

Dates – August 2015 – November 2015

• Managed debt collection processes, resolving financial queries and disputes
• Identified potential problem accounts and prepared documentation for legal proceedings

Previous Employer – Football Club

Position – Various Roles

Dates – December 2014 – June 2015

Position – Credit Control (Temporary contract)

Dates – May 2015 – June 2015

• Assisted in reducing backlog and managing renewals and box payments
• Implemented improvements to credit management processes and procedures
• Consistently reduced debtor days and aged debt across multiple organisations, enhancing liquidity and financial stability
• Implemented process improvements that led to a marked reduction in Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and increased overall efficiency in credit control operations.
• Recognized for exceptional leadership and ability to motivate teams to achieve ambitious financial targets

Position – Purchase Ledger Adviser (Temporary Contract)

Dates – December 2014 – May 2015

• Verified and processed invoices, payments, and credit notes as part of a team
• Acted as the first point of contact for customer inquiries, resolving issues promptly
• Maintained confidentiality while ensuring detailed attention and strong customer rapport

Previous Employer – Food Services Company

Position – Accounts Payable, GRIR Clear Down Project

Dates – October 2014 – December 2014

• Conducted full reconciliations and cleared down remaining invoices using SAP
• Compiled and recorded comprehensive statistics and information

Previous Employer – Digital and Media Development Charity

Position – Financial and Management Accountant (Temporary Contract)

Dates – June 2014 – September 2014

• Monitored daily receipts and payments, ensuring accurate journal postings within SAP to maintain financial accuracy
• Liaised effectively with the BBC Treasury to address and resolve any issues pertaining to UK bank accounts
• Executed overseas bank transfers and coordinated with money transfer companies to facilitate international operations for country offices
• Managed and nurtured relationships with money transfer companies to ensure smooth transactions
• Collaborated with the Head of Financial Reporting to manage cash deposits and optimise cash flow
• Generated and managed sales invoices using SAP, ensuring timely billing and accurate financial records
• Proactively monitored outstanding debtors, employing effective strategies to reconcile all income accounts on SAP

• Posted journals and reconciled balance sheet codes, coordinating with Steria for any necessary corrections
• Served as the Expenses Card Administrator, overseeing ageing reports and following up with staff on outstanding balances
• Undertook a variety of financial tasks as directed, providing support and collaboration with team members
• Provided coverage for the Purchasing Finance and Team Assistant by processing purchase invoices, setting up new vendors, and coordinating with BBC Media Action staff on weekly and monthly cash positions
• Prepared comprehensive Weekly and Month-End Reports, including Day 1 Reports
• Conducted detailed reconciliations for UK Bank, BBC Bank, trade debtors, trade creditors, advancements, and GRNI Day 1
• Managed office funding reconciliations and staff creditor accounts
• Maintained the integrity of the WS04 Balance Sheet, ensuring accuracy and compliance

Previous Employer – Tobacco Company

Position – Accounts Payable Advisor (Contract)

Dates – December 2013 – May 2014

• Validated high volumes of international vendor invoices, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Managed reversals and query resolution efficiently

Previous Employer – Hotel

Position – Finance Administrator (Temporary Contract)

Dates – July 2013 – October 2013

• Performed general accounts payable duties and bank reconciliations
• Facilitated payments for banqueting and events, supporting system transitions
• Conducted general Accounts Payable duties, ensuring accurate processing and reconciliation of bank statements, including handling international exchange rate payments
• Managed payments for all banqueting and event invoices, ensuring timely and accurate financial transactions
• Recalled providing expertise and support during a system transition to Adaco.Net, developed comprehensive process flows to streamline operations and facilitate team training
• Delivered training sessions for colleagues to ensure smooth adaptation to new systems and processes, enhancing overall team efficiency and effectiveness