Accountant - Receivables

Accounts Receivable & Credit Control Lead

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Accounts Receivable & Credit Control Lead to oversee the end-to-end AR process, ensure timely invoicing and collections, manage customer accounts, and lead a high-performing team. This role is pivotal in maintaining cash flow, minimizing bad debt, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and reporting standards. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical AR expertise, supervisory experience, and a proactive approach to dispute resolution and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Invoicing & Billing

• Lead the timely generation and dispatch of accurate invoices and statements in line with approved pricing, contracts, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure invoicing cut-offs are adhered to and that invoicing is complete for each period, including recurring, pro‑rated, and ad hoc invoices.
• Ensure proper approval workflows are followed for credit notes, discounts, and invoice amendments.
• Maintain a controlled filing system for invoices, delivery notes/acceptance, contracts, and supporting documents.

Receipts & Collections

• Oversee daily monitoring of incoming payments and ensure accurate allocation to the correct customer and invoices.
• Ensure all receipts (bank, mobile money, cheques) are posted promptly and supported with appropriate evidence.
• Track unallocated receipts and ensure resolution within set timelines.
• Confirm cheques collected are banked/presented on time; follow up on uncleared/unpresented cheques.
• Drive collections follow‑ups (calls, emails, visits where applicable) to ensure timely settlement of invoices.
• Ensure customers receive statements and reminders as per the collection calendar.
• Handle escalated customer queries on billing, balances, payment terms, and account status professionally.

Customer Account Management

• Maintain accurate customer master data (contacts, addresses, emails, terms, limits) to support effective collections.
• Perform or oversee monthly customer account reconciliations and resolve discrepancies (payments, credits, mispostings).
• Review customer creditworthiness and recommend credit limits, terms, and risk controls.
• Enforce credit policies (holds, stop‑supply recommendations, escalations) for chronically overdue accounts.
• Identify high‑risk accounts early and implement targeted recovery plans (payment plans, structured follow‑ups, escalations).
• Lead resolution of complex disputes (pricing, service issues, documentation gaps), coordinating with Sales, Operations, and Customer Care.
• Ensure all disputes are logged, tracked, and resolved within agreed timelines to prevent long‑outstanding balances.

Reporting & Compliance

• Prepare and review AR aging reports, collection trackers, and overdue analysis to identify trends and risks.
• Support month‑end close by ensuring AR ledger integrity, completeness of postings, and reconciliation to the general ledger.
• Provide structured AR updates to the Head of Finance (weekly/monthly) with key risks, actions, and forecasts.
• Perform revenue assurance checks to confirm invoicing aligns to delivered services/products and approved rates.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, delegation of authority, and documentation standards.
• Support internal and external audits by providing AR schedules, reconciliations, supporting documents, and explanations.
• Coordinate formal demand processes and escalations for long‑outstanding accounts, including engagement with legal/debt recovery support where approved.
• Monitor and report on recovery progress for escalated debts, including agreed payment plans and compliance.

Management Reporting & Cash Forecasting

• Provide AR inputs into weekly/monthly cash flow forecasts (expected collections, risk accounts, probable delays).
• Prepare senior‑level dashboards covering DSO, overdue buckets, collection efficiency, dispute aging, and bad debt risk indicators.
• Recommend write‑off provisions/escalations in line with policy and approval structures as applicable.

Team Leadership & Process Improvement

• Develop, maintain, and enforce AR SOPs covering the invoicing timetable, receipts posting, collections workflow, dispute handling, and credit notes.
• Supervise, coach, and appraise AR team members, ensuring clear targets, accountability, and skills growth.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Professional qualification: CPA (K) III and above / ACCA (or equivalent).
• Added advantage: Training in credit management, debt collections, or IFRS‑related reporting.
• 5+ years of experience in Accounts Receivable / Credit Control in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proven experience supervising an AR team and coordinating collections, including field collections where applicable.
• Strong experience with invoicing, billing, reconciliations, collections, dispute management, and credit control.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks (or similar ERP) and Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel).
• Experience preparing AR reports, aging analysis, collection strategies, and cash flow inputs.