Credit Controller

Withersworldwide

Job title: Credit Controller 

Reports to: Revenue Control Manager

Location: London

Purpose

We are looking for a personable and proactive Credit Controller to join our Finance Department. You will work in areas including Debt Management, Billing and WIP and will be responsible for chasing clients to ensure all bills are paid in a timely manner, with a focus on reducing Lockup. 

The ideal candidate will be confident in liaising with Partners, fee earners and clients concerning the action needed to recover overdue debts. You will have experience working in a professional services environment, ideally in a law firm, and have experience using 3E or similar system. You will inspire confidence and be an excellent communicator, being able to speak to people at all levels, while being organised and accurate with good attention to detail.

Areas of focus and responsibilities

• To undertake regular reviews of Debt balances
• To assist with regular reviews of WIP balances
• To establish strong working relationships with all Matter Supervisors and Billing Executives, through regular monthly review meetings, to ensure that focus is maintained on timely billing and debt collection
• To operate the Firm’s credit control system (CreditForce), phone and chase clients, send bill reminder letters and statements to clients
• To advise fee earners on progress in chasing outstanding debts and to co-ordinate with them regarding action to be taken to recover seriously overdue debts
• To distribute a summary of overdue debts together with credit controller’s commentaries to the Head of Finance and European Credit Committee
• Responsible for dealing efficiently and effectively with queries as they arise
• Will be required to assist the billing team at peak billing times
• May be required to assist the European Financial Controller with ad-hoc tasks

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Skills and attributes

• Good communicator with high levels of interpersonal skills
• A good telephone manner when talking to clients, both internally and externally
• Organised and accurate with good attention to detail
• Ability to remain calm under pressure when working in a fast paced environment
• Demonstrable team player, with flexible attitude and approach to work and work colleagues
• Sympathetic and understanding of clients yet with gravitas to agree terms with clients
• Computer literate, being competent with Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Results orientated and proactive approach to tasks
• Ability to use your initiative to pick up unfamiliar work quickly and be proactive in anticipating the needs of the team

Qualifications required and experience in sector

You are computer literate and will be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) having achieved a grade 'C' or above in Maths and English.

Ideally you will have worked in a similar legal environment for a few years in a credit control environment with experience using 3E and credit force or a similar accounting package. 

The Essentials

• 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must, particularly at month end
• Minimum 2 days a week in the office (1 of which is Wednesday the team day)
• 12 week probation period
• 4 weeks’ notice period
• Flexible benefits package including pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on site café plus more

About Withersworldwide

Withersworldwide have been acting for successful individuals, families and institutions for over 100 years. We advise clients on their business and personal legal needs both at home and abroad. In this fast moving and increasingly regulated world the need for integrated and timely advice has never been more urgent.

We are recognised as the only international law firm for successful people, their families, their businesses and their philanthropic work. With offices in Europe, Asia, the United States and the Caribbean we provide coverage that other law firms focussed on the individual cannot.  We continually look for opportunities to ensure we are based in the same locations as our clients and their wealth. We have represented 51% of the Top-100 ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, as well as a significant number of people listed in the US (Forbes) and Asian (Hurun) Rich Lists.

The firm consists of three global legal Divisions: Business; Dispute Resolution and Private Client & Tax.  Each Division is headed by a Divisional CEO and Divisional Operating Officer.  There is also an overarching CEO of the global firm.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

Withersworldwide endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withersworldwide operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

It is the policy of Withers Worldwide to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.