Credit Controller - Port Elizabeth

SUMMARY:
Our client in the textile industry is seeking to employ a Credit Controller to join their team based in Port Elizabeth.

Exciting Opportunity:

POSITION INFO:

Requirements:

• Matric with Accounting and Mathematics.
• 3–5 years’ experience in a similar Credit Control / Accounts Receivable role.
• Solid understanding of basic accounting principles.
• SAP experience is essential.
• Intermediate Excel proficiency.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Well-spoken, articulate, and professional communication skills.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential financial and customer information responsibly.
• Ability to identify potential bad debt, irregularities, and suspicious transactions.
• Strong reconciliation, payment allocation, and account management skills.
• Ability to work independently while also supporting colleagues within the finance department.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the timely collection of monies owing to the company and ensure customers remain within agreed payment terms.
• Monitor overdue accounts and debtor days, using email, WhatsApp, and telephone follow-ups where required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers to facilitate effective credit control and collections.
• Proactively submit invoices, statements, PODs, and supporting documentation to customers to ensure prompt payment.
• Respond to customer queries professionally and provide timely feedback.
• Monitor slow-paying customers and report potential bad debt to the Financial Director.
• Monitor customer orders and release orders in accordance with agreed credit limits and payment terms.
• Communicate with customers, sales representatives, and management when credit limits or payment terms are exceeded.
• Identify and action requirements for releasing orders placed on hold.
• Submit term-account applications and relevant correspondence to TransUnion or other applicable credit bureaus.
• Assist with credit assessments and determining appropriate credit limits in accordance with company policies.
• Ensure account applications, company documentation, credit reports, and authorisation correspondence are accurately saved on the Finance shared drive.
• Follow up on outstanding deposits in line with weekly shipment cut-off dates when required.
• Verify customer account balances and banking details before releasing orders against proof of payment.
• Carefully verify payment references to ensure payments are allocated to the correct customer accounts.
• Ensure new clients are not released against proof of payment unless payment is guaranteed or written director authorisation has been obtained.
• Process customer payments received via bank statements daily.
• Accurately allocate customer payments in accordance with remittances and request outstanding remittances where necessary.
• Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, payment history, credit decisions, and important account notes.
• Record relevant customer information and credit decisions in SAP for visibility across the finance team.
• Prepare detailed customer account reconciliations when required.
• Report irregularities and suspicious transactions to the Financial Director immediately.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual credit control reports, including feedback on overdue accounts.
• Process authorised credit notes and claims in SAP.
• Process discounts and bad debt write-off journals in SAP once authorised.
• Assist with documentation and information required for company audits.
• Provide support to colleagues and work buddies during periods of leave.
• Work closely with debt collectors and legal teams to assist with the recovery of outstanding debt.
• Assist with opening new customer accounts in SAP when required.
• Adhere to company policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Effectively utilise company equipment, software, systems, and training platforms.
• Maintain a professional and tidy workplace.