KEA_ CREDIT CONTROLLER

Your tasks

Debt Collection & Accounts Receivable Management:

• Proactively contact customers (via phone, email, and letter) to follow up on outstanding invoices and secure timely payments.
• Negotiate payment plans and resolve payment discrepancies in a professional and efficient manner.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer records, including communication logs and payment statuses. Maintain and update customers’ discount rates and upcharges.
• Monitor customer credit limits and payment terms, identifying and escalating potential risks.
• Reconcile all customer accounts and investigate any unallocated cash or discrepancies. Process and allocate incoming payments accurately.
• Prepare and issue statements of accounts to external customers bi-monthly.
• Collaborate with the sales and customer service teams to resolve customer queries and disputes that may impact payment.
• Monthly reconciliations and allocation of withholding VAT receivables and support in VAT filing.
• Follow up with respective banks on advices received from Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti and subsequently with customers.
• Liaison between the bank and LCS team on trade instruments such as Supplier’s Credit, Letters of Credit, Cash Against Documents, bank guarantee etc.
• Check and monitor the Unbilled deliveries and maintain the advance payments listing.
• Review and approve all Sales orders before Purchase order processing by Supply Chain based on the Customer account status.
• Coordinate follow up of customers commitments with Sales team and LCS PMs for both KEA and KET.
• Reconciliation of all Intercompany debtors’ accounts.
• Prepare and verify monthly schedules for commissions payable as per the different sales agencies.
• Visit customers as and when required.

Credit Control Procedures & Policy Adherence:

• Manage and ensure adherence to the company's credit management process.
• Identify and recommend improvements to existing credit control processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assist in setting up new customer accounts and updating changes in SAP, conduct credit checks and assess credit worthiness.
• Ensuring credit and collection policies and procedures are followed within the team regarding invoices, credit notes and other documents.
• Manage and escalate overdue accounts with the LCS Manager, to the Credit committee.
• Prepare and present bad debt provisions for review.

Reporting & Analysis:

• Generate regular reports on accounts receivable aging, debtor days, and collection performance, prepare Expected Credit Loss model as per IFRS 9.
• Analyze credit control data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide insights and recommendations to management on credit performance and potential issues.

Others:

• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with customers to facilitate effective debt collection while preserving goodwill.
• Handle customer complaints and queries relating to invoices and payments with professionalism and a problem-solving approach.
• Ensure all credit control activities comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements. Identify and mitigate credit risks to the business.
• Audit support
• Update daily exchange rates in SAP to ensure correctness of billing and reporting.
• Any other duties assigned.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration or similar field.
• Relevant Professional qualification (ACCA, CPA or equivalent) is an added advantage.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in a credit control or accounts receivable role.
• Proven track record of successfully collecting debts and reducing debtor days.
• Strong understanding of the various taxes applicable in the East Africa region.
• Own a valid passport and able to travel to the customers in the East Africa region.
• Strong communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Negotiation and influencing skills: Proven ability to negotiate effectively and persuade customers to make payments.
• Attention to detail and accuracy: Meticulous approach to data entry and record-keeping.
• Analytical skills: Ability to analyze financial data and identify trends.
• Problem-solving skills: Resourceful and able to resolve complex payment issues.
• Customer service orientation: Committed to delivering excellent customer service while achieving collection targets.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and experience with SAP.
• Time management and organization: Ability to prioritize tasks, manage a high volume of work, and meet deadlines.
• Resilience and persistence: Ability to handle challenging conversations and remain focused on collection goals.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.