Kennedys is looking for a Senior Credit Controller to join our Financial Operations team based in Chelmsford. The successful Credit Controller will work as part of the Working Capital team, alongside the Cashiering and Finance Database teams, to provide a proactive support service to the Firm.
Team
Kennedys Finance team support the firm globally producing timely and accurate financial and management information, reporting solutions and operational support to maintain the high standard of service offered to the firm's internal and external clients.
Our Finance team is made up of Financial Control, Financial Planning and Reporting, Management Accountants, Working Capital, Legal Cashiers and Financial Operations Database teams.
Our UK Finance team is based across the UK and have a presence in several global offices. The role is hybrid with 2 days in the Chelmsford office.
Key Responsibilities
Credit Control and Collections
Maintaining the Credit Control ledger for one or more complex teams and or clients
Manage a portfolio of client accounts, ensuring timely collection of outstanding invoices.
Review aged debt lists regularly to identify bills that can be chased - ensuring that any issues are identified and escalated promptly to the partner or finance management as appropriate.
Meet monthly collection target and proactively liaising with manager on clients/partners that will impact team collection target.
Attending regular debt meetings in order to support Credit Controllers.
Taking ownership of chasing internal/external queries holding up cash and updating Assistant Working Capital Managers with estimated timeframes for resolution.
Review bill receipts and identify and resolve discrepancies immediately
Working Capital Management
Support the firm's working capital objectives through effective debt recovery and reduction of overdue balances.
Proactively reducing unidentified cash by obtaining remittances and ensuring cash has been received.
Assist in improving collection processes and reducing barriers to payment.
Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory regulations at all times.
Reporting and Analysis
Produce and ensure the prompt, accurate delivery of invoices, statements and reminder emails to debtors
Produce statements and interest calculations, as required.
Resolve collection issues, update the accounts system (billing details, etc.) and liaise with other Financial Operations teams.
Stakeholder Management
Attend monthly ledger meetings with Assistant Working Capital Manager to discuss the status of ledgers. Identify clients that will meet collection target and remedial actions on clients that will not.
Proactively engage fee earners and partners to improve collections and reduce debtor days. Hold monthly meetings with fee earners and partners to agree collection plans.
Attend client meetings as required to ensure payment of outstanding invoices and reduction of aged debt.
Respond to information requests promptly, assisting with complex queries from within the team and escalating as required to the Assistant Working Capital
Leadership and Team Development
Train new starters on Finance platforms.
Provide ongoing coaching, support and development of junior team members.
Act as the escalation point for complex issues and respond to all queries and requests in a timely and efficient manner, escalating as appropriate.
Provide cover for Assistant Managers, and other members of the team, during periods of absence.
Share best practice and contribute to continuous improvement across the team.
Work collaboratively with the Assistant Managers, Head of Working Capital, Billing, Cashiering and the wider finance team to improve processes and service delivery.
Working collaboratively as one finance team with (cashiering and database) to provide an excellent service to our partners and clients
Work with the Assistant Working Capital Manager and other Financial Operations teams to implement changes, to maximise efficiency and level of service.
Desired Experience
A minimum of 5 years previous credit control experience*, particularly within a legal environment, is desired to demonstrate required experience of billing cycles in a variety of external environments.
Intermediate level Excel skills
Ability to hold debt meetings with key stakeholders to resolve hold up in cash collection
Advantageous to have but not essential: Experience of Lloyds bureau markets
Credit Control within Legal or Insurance companies
Experience in training and mentoring colleagues.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to be made in order to submit your application to Kennedys.
- where a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and represents the amount of time we would usually expect a candidate to accumulate the requisite level of experience. This does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.
