Credit Controller (Interior Design) at CDL Human Resource

Credit Controller (Interior Design) at CDL Human Resource | Iko Kazi

Role Purpose

The Credit Controller will manage the end-to-end order-to-cash cycle, ensuring accurate billing, effective credit control, timely collections, customer account reconciliation, credit risk management, and compliance with applicable tax requirements.
The role will also deputize for the Head of Finance when required, supporting month-end close, management reporting, cash-flow management, statutory compliance, and supervision of junior finance staff.

Key Responsibilities

Billing & Invoicing

Prepare accurate invoices based on contracts, LPOs, deliveries, certified milestones, and approved variations.
Ensure timely and compliant issuance of electronic tax invoices and credit notes.
Verify pricing, quantities, contract values, discounts, and applicable taxes before invoicing.
Ensure all completed work and deliverables are billed promptly.

Credit Control & Collections

Manage the debtors' ledger and drive collections against agreed targets.
Follow up overdue accounts through statements, calls, meetings, and client visits where necessary.
Negotiate payment plans and escalate problem accounts appropriately.
Work with Sales, Projects, and Operations to resolve issues affecting customer payments.
Recommend suspension of supply, debt collection, or legal action where required.

Credit Risk Management

Manage customer credit applications, KYC documentation, references, and verification.
Recommend credit limits and payment terms and monitor customer exposure.
Review customer creditworthiness and payment history regularly.
Advise management on credit risks relating to customers, contracts, tenders, and payment terms.

Customer Accounts & Reconciliation

Allocate customer receipts accurately and promptly.
Conduct monthly customer account reconciliations and resolve outstanding discrepancies.
Process credit notes, refunds, and write-offs in line with approval procedures.
Maintain complete and accurate supporting documentation for customer accounts.

Contract & Retention Management

Track contract retentions and follow up on their release when due.
Monitor advance payments, guarantees, contract variations, and certified values.
Reconcile contract amounts against invoices and payments received.

Tax & Statutory Compliance

Ensure correct tax treatment on sales transactions.
Support VAT preparation and compliance.
Reconcile withholding taxes and related certificates.
Ensure sales records and electronic tax invoices are accurately reflected in financial records and tax returns.

Reporting & Analysis

Prepare regular debtors' ageing and collections reports.
Maintain rolling collections and cash-flow forecasts.
Monitor DSO, overdue balances, collection efficiency, and major debtor exposures.
Support expected credit loss assessments and recommendations for provisions or write-offs.
Present receivables performance to management when required.

Deputizing for Head of Finance

Act on behalf of the Head of Finance during periods of absence, within delegated authority.
Support month-end and year-end closing, reconciliations, management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and reporting.
Assist with short-term cash-flow forecasting and payment prioritization.
Oversee timely statutory filings and payments when acting in the role.
Liaise with auditors, banks, regulators, tax authorities, and other external stakeholders as required.
Supervise, coach, and allocate work to junior finance staff.
Support implementation of finance policies, controls, and process improvements.

Audit & Internal Controls

Prepare receivables schedules and supporting documentation for audits.
Support customer balance confirmations and resolution of audit queries.
Maintain strong controls over invoicing, credit notes, receipts, and customer accounts.
Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and follow up on control weaknesses.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
CPA (K) or ACCA qualified.
5–7 years' experience in credit control, accounts receivable, or a related finance function, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or team-lead capacity.
Broader finance experience covering month-end closing, management accounts, cash-flow forecasting, and statutory compliance.
Practical knowledge of Kenyan tax requirements, including VAT, electronic tax invoicing, withholding tax, and tax filing systems.
Experience using ERP/accounting systems such as Sage, SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics/Navision, Odoo, or QuickBooks.
Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations, and reporting.
Good understanding of IFRS, particularly revenue and receivables accounting.

Desirable

Experience in construction, fit-out, contracting, manufacturing, or other project-based industries.
Experience with retentions, contract variations, milestone billing, and performance guarantees.
Experience managing large corporate or retail customer accounts.
Previous experience deputizing for a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, or Head of Finance.
Credit management certification and/or professional accounting membership.

Key Competencies

Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Assertive and professional approach to collections.
Commercial and financial awareness.
Sound judgement and decision-making.
Leadership and people-management skills.
Integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
Strong organization and follow-through.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Ability to work effectively with Finance, Sales, Projects, Operations, Procurement, and Stores.

Stand out to recruiters