How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to Summit Recruitment and Search on summitrecruitment-search.com to apply.
Master the Collections Conversation
This role lives at the intersection of numbers and people. You'll need to balance firmness with diplomacy when chasing payments, and your ability to build trust with customers will be as important as your Excel skills.
1. Show your reconciliation wins: On your CV, highlight specific examples where you resolved billing disputes or reduced overdue balances. Quantify the impact if possible, like 'reduced overdue accounts by 20% in six months'.
2. Get comfortable with ERP systems: If you have used Sage, QuickBooks, or SAP, list them prominently. If you're less experienced, take a quick online course to brush up on the basics before the interview.
3. Prepare a collections script: Think about how you would handle a difficult customer who avoids payment. Practice a polite but firm tone, and be ready to discuss your approach in the interview.
4. Understand the credit control process: Be ready to explain how you would conduct a credit limit review or assess a new customer's creditworthiness. Show that you think about risk, not just recording transactions.
5. Highlight your month-end experience: The role involves month-end closing activities. Be prepared to talk about how you've handled tight deadlines and produced accurate reconciliations under pressure.
6. Show your Excel prowess: Expect to be tested on Excel. Practice pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and data analysis. Mention any advanced formulas you use regularly.
7. Emphasize communication skills: This role requires liaising with sales and operations teams. Give examples of how you've collaborated with other departments to resolve issues.
8. Ask smart questions: In the interview, ask about the company's current collections process, the ERP system they use, and how they measure success for this role. It shows you're already thinking about how to add value.