Credit Controller

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Credit Controller to join our Finance team. This role is responsible for the effective management of customer debt, cash collection, cash allocation, and invoice query resolution. The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining healthy cash flow, reducing aged debt, and fostering positive customer relationships while ensuring compliance with company credit control policies and procedures.

Working closely with customers, account managers, operational teams, and finance leadership, you will ensure timely collections, accurate ledger management, and efficient resolution of billing disputes.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Control & Collections

• Proactively manage customer accounts to ensure payments are received in line with agreed payment terms.
• Issue customer statements, payment reminders, and collection correspondence.
• Follow up on overdue balances via telephone and email.
• Negotiate and monitor payment plans where appropriate.
• Escalate overdue or high-risk accounts internally when required.
• Assist with the preparation and issuance of formal collection notices and legal escalation documentation where necessary.
• Maintain strong customer relationships while effectively managing debt recovery activities.

Cash Allocation & Ledger Management

• Allocate customer payments accurately and promptly.
• Reconcile payments against outstanding invoices.
• Investigate and resolve unallocated cash transactions.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer account records.
• Support the regular review and management of aged debt reports.
• Ensure customer ledgers remain accurate and reconciled.

Invoice Queries & Credit Notes

• Manage customer invoice queries and billing disputes in a timely manner.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to investigate and resolve billing discrepancies.
• Track outstanding queries and ensure appropriate follow-up actions are taken.
• Process approved credit notes accurately and in accordance with company procedures.
• Ensure all credit adjustments are supported by appropriate documentation and approvals.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate closely with account managers and operational teams to support collections and resolve customer concerns.
• Provide regular updates on debtor status, collection progress, and identified risks.
• Escalate problematic accounts promptly and clearly.
• Support finance management with debtor reporting, cash flow forecasting, and working capital management activities.

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Adhere to established credit control policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of all customer communications and collection activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve collection processes and reporting.
• Highlight recurring billing or payment issues and recommend solutions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the finance function.

Requirements

Essential

• Previous experience in Credit Control, Accounts Receivable, or a similar finance-related role.
• Strong understanding of customer ledger management, cash allocation, and invoicing processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience managing overdue debt while maintaining positive customer relationships.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and finance systems.
• Confidence in escalating issues appropriately when required.

Desirable

• Experience working within a fast-paced or multi-entity environment.
• Experience within technology, IT services, managed services, SaaS, or professional services industries.
• Experience using ERP and finance systems such as Business Central, ConnectWise, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of aged debt reporting and cash flow forecasting.
• Experience handling complex invoice disputes and customer account reconciliations.
• Familiarity with debt recovery processes and legal collection procedures.

Key Competencies

• Proactive and results-driven approach to collections.
• Professional, confident, and effective communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and integrity.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of the impact of cash collection on business performance.
• Ability to work under pressure and achieve collection targets.

What Success Looks Like

• Reduction in aged debt and overdue balances.
• Timely and accurate cash allocation.
• Efficient resolution of invoice queries and disputes.
• Positive customer relationships maintained while achieving collection objectives.
• Accurate reporting and effective support of working capital management.
• Continuous improvement of credit control processes and controls.

Surgo (Pty) Ltd will consider all applications in terms of its Employment Equity (EE) and is committed to maintaining diversity in its appointments. Surgo (Pty) Ltd, therefore also encourages people with disabilities and from other diverse backgrounds to apply. Due to the high volume of applications, should you not receive feedback within three months upon submission, you can assume your application was unsuccessful, and we encourage you to reapply. Surgo (PTY) Ltd. does not hold applicants accountable for any application fee.

Your CV will be kept on our database for us to contact you should any future vacancies become available. If you do not wish for us to keep your CV for any other positions, please email [email protected]