Job overview
The post holder will be responsible for the credit control function of the organisation.
The post holder will be required to maintain the day to day management of the Accounts Receivable ledger, ensuring that all debt outstanding is promptly chased, referred to the debt collection agency and correspondence accurately recorded on the Accounts Receivable ledger.
The post holder will also be required to monitor and report on the Trust’s credit control performance.
Main duties of the job
1. Dealing with Accounts Receivable (AR) queries
2. Monitor installments & ensuring payments are received in accordance with agreed payment plans.
3. Review and refer aged debt to the Debt Collection Agency developing and maintaining a good working relationship with the agency.
4. Prepare and refer reports to escalate non payment of debt as appropriate.
5. Prepare schedules of bad debts recommended to be written off.
6. Prepare cross cover for the Accounts Payable (AP) Finance Officer.
7. Support Innovation and Continuous Improvement agenda in the day to day working within the Finance team.
Working for our organisation
Here at ELHT, we know what we do well, but always continue our aim to be amazing; we strive to provide the very best training and development packages and opportunities for our Finance Team, our ELHT colleagues and our local youth population and have been recognised nationally for this.
We don’t just look at you for who you are now; we look at you for who you could be in the future. We take training seriously, and encourage you to do the same. We are a University Teaching Trust and want staff to develop their capabilities to the full with a range of learning opportunities and a set development plan. We provide a supportive environment in which to learn, with the opportunity to further your skills and career within an exciting and evolving environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Dealing with Accounts Receivable Queries
• Correspond with debtors on all outstanding accounts ensuring that customers are actively chased via regular statements, reminder letters, emails and telephone calls. Update the diary log with all correspondence.
• Negotiate and arrange mutually agreeable payment terms in line with the Trust policy.
• Ensure that any sensitive or controversial discussions and negotiations are conducted professionally, courteously and confidentially.
• Input and maintain financial information into computer databases and spreadsheets to a high level of efficiency.
• Use of various computer systems / software packages for retrieving, analysing and reporting on financial information.
Monitor installments and ensuring payments are received in accordance with agreed payment plans
• Prepare a monthly spreadsheet of payments in installments and ensure all agreements are being adhered to and contact all debtors that have failed to pay.
• Monitor salary over payments and contact the debtor to chase payment of the debt or arrange a payment plan.
Review and refer aged debt to the Debt Collection Agency developing and maintaining a good working relationship
• Each month prepare a schedule of debt for escalation to the debt collection agency.
• Ensure all relevant information is included on the schedule and receive authorisation from the Assistant Financial Accountant to submit it to the debt collection agency .
• Review the reports that are received from the debt collection agency and action/escalate where appropriate any queries from them.
Prepare regular reports to escalate non-payment as appropriate
• Following the bi-monthly internal debt meeting prepare a report for debts to be escalated.
• Follow up and chase progress on the escalation.
Prepare schedules of bad debts recommended to the Deputy Director for write off.
• On a quarterly basis prepare the schedule of bad debts to be considered for write off. Include debts that the debt collection agency cannot trace and have recommended for write off.
• Following review by the Assistant Financial Accountant, send to the Deputy Finance Director for authorisation.
• Obtain any further information required by the Deputy Finance Director and once authorised action the write off.
The post holder may be asked to complete other ad hoc duties commensurate with the grade and to provide assistance as required in the day to day working of the Treasury/Technical Accounts teams.
All of the above contact may concern issues that can be confidential and contentious in nature.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
* Previous NHS finance experience
Desirable criteria
* Knowledge of E-financials