Are you looking to write your perfect Credit Controller CV?
A credit controller plays a crucial role in managing an organization’s finances by ensuring that outstanding debts are collected promptly and efficiently.
Crafting an exceptional CV is essential in this competitive field. Your CV should not only highlight your qualifications but also showcase your relevant experience and notable achievements.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a complete step-by-step guide, along with valuable tips and real-life examples to help you create an interview-winning CV.
I am a conscientious and confident Credit Controller with sound experience of sales ledger and debt collection, and the ability to prioritise and work under pressure to meet deadlines. In my current job, my key achievements have been consistently making 60 phone calls per day, clearing the debt of one account worth £36.000, and the implementation of an innovative new spreadsheet, allowing a more streamlined approach to analysing data and debt. Currently, I am keen to find a challenging role within credit control in order to further my experience and develop my abilities.
Achievements
Completed a Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration with DDD grade
2003 – 2010 Results: 10 GCSEs at Grades A*-C, including Maths (B) and English (B).
GCSEs
Harlington Academy
Work experience
Sept 2015 – Present
Credit Controller JK Business Solutions
Main duties performed:
Working in a third-party company to collect debts from businesses and individuals on behalf of our clients
Monitoring and recovering of predominantly aged debt
Chasing various companies for outstanding payments and invoices
Negotiating and setting up payment plans
Liaising with the accounts Manager, clients, invoicing department, insurance companies and other third-party organisations on a daily basis
Identifying customer payment problems and ensuring speedy resolutions
Achieving daily, weekly and monthly targets based on call quality and cash collection
Ensuring compliance with relevant policies, procedures and regulations
Controlling sales ledgers to maintain aged debt
Preparing and sending credit notes and invoices to customers
Posting prior notification letters to customers of accounts becoming due
Weekly follow-ups with debtors
Dealing with customer queries face-to-face, over the phone or via e-mail
Implemented spreadsheet systems to enable easier chasing and recording of debt
Dealing effectively with a high level of complex debt issues
Escalation of certain cases or accounts to senior managers
Ensuring all client information and documents are kept secure and confidential at all times
Keeping calm and professional at all times
Establishing and maintaining good client relationships
Feb 2015 – Sept 2015
Admin Assistant Summerfield Academy
Main duties performed:
Being the first point of contact for administrative responsibilities
Answering the telephone and responding to emails
Filing, batching, scanning and photocopying documents
Processing stationery invoices
Contact parents regarding their children’s attendance, holidays and exams
Assisting with the organisation of the Academy’s events and open days
Qualifications
Administrative Skills Diploma – Study 365
Level 2 Credit Control & Debt Management – Study House
Microsoft Office 2013 training – e-Careers
Skills
Excellent telephone manners skills with the ability to speak clearly and confidently
Ability to work efficiently and professionally with people from all backgrounds
Proficiency in all areas of Microsoft Office, including Access, Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint
Full UK Driving Licence with no endorsements since June 2002
Hobbies and interests
As an active sociable individual, I enjoy staying fit and going to the gym. I also like to keep my commercial awareness up to date and enjoy reading the Financial Times. I enjoy meeting new people, and I am also part of a fundraising committee for a charity called the St Matthew’s Children.
References
Mr Paul Harper Credit Manager, JK Business Solutions Address: 3 Spring Rd, Louth, LA4 1XK Tel: 0733 6733 5994 Email:[email protected]
Mr William Walter Director, Summerfield Academy Address: 2 Summer St, Poole, PE1 6YE Tel: 0933 4572 7399 Email:[email protected]
Preview
What makes this CV good and effective?
The personal profile is a brief and impactful statement that highlights the candidate’s key skills, years of experience and enthusiasm for credit control.
The structure of the CV is well-organised with clear headings and sections, making it easy for the employer to navigate and find the information they are seeking.
The content of the CV is tailored to the Credit controller role, focusing on relevant qualifications, skills, and experience.
The CV is of an appropriate length, not exceeding two pages, ensuring it’s concise and to the point. Research has shown that shorter CVs are more likely to be shortlisted.
Incorporate sufficient white space: Ensure that your CV isn’t cluttered and that there is enough white space to enhance readability.
Ensure uniform spacing: Maintain consistent spacing between lines, sections and headers throughout your CV for a polished look.
Use a professional tone: Write in the third person and avoid using personal pronouns like “I” or “me.”
Include a skills section: Highlight key skills relevant to the role of a Credit controller, such as “Debt recovery,” “Credit risk analysis,” and “Financial reporting.”
Save and send in PDF format: When submitting your CV electronically, save it as a PDF to maintain formatting consistency across different devices and software.
Your CV’s personal details section should contain the following important information about you; your full name and up-to-date contact information such as your phone number, professional email address and postal address.
This section should include a brief summary of your experience, skills and what you’re looking to achieve in your career, giving employers a glimpse of what you can offer to their organisation. It should be no longer than five lines.
Experienced Credit Controller with a proven track record of reducing outstanding debts by 30% through effective debt recovery strategies. Skilled in credit risk assessment and financial analysis, consistently ensuring the financial stability of the company. Adept at building strong client relationships, resulting in improved payment timelines and financial success.
Achievements
The achievements section of your CV is like a highlight reel of your career or personal life successes. It’s where you share specific accomplishments, like awards, promotions, exceeding sales targets or completing projects ahead of schedule and within budget.
Achieved a 20% reduction in outstanding debts through effective debt recovery strategies.
Awarded “Credit Controller of the Year” in 2020 for consistently meeting and exceeding targets.
Completed a complex debt consolidation project ahead of schedule, resulting in a cost savings of £17,000.
Employment and work experience
The employment section of a CV is where you detail your work history and professional experience, providing a chronological account of your past jobs and roles.
You can include various types of jobs, such as full-time positions, part-time roles, internships, freelance work, temporary jobs, or any relevant work experience that demonstrates your skills and qualifications.
January 2019 – Present
Senior Credit Controller XYZ Finance Ltd, London
Main duties and responsibilities performed:
– Manage a portfolio of 150+ clients, overseeing their credit limits and payment terms.
– Conduct detailed credit risk assessments, resulting in a 12% reduction in bad debt.
– Collaborate with the sales team to resolve billing discrepancies, ensuring accurate invoicing.
– Developed and implemented an efficient debt recovery process, leading to a 25% increase in recovered debts.
Assessing the creditworthiness of clients and customers to establish appropriate credit limits.
Managing accounts receivable and monitoring overdue payments.
Contacting clients to negotiate payment terms and resolve outstanding debts.
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of financial transactions and client interactions.
Collaborating with the sales and customer service teams to address billing discrepancies and resolve payment issues.
Preparing and presenting financial reports to management, highlighting outstanding debts and recovery efforts.
Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to credit control and debt collection.
Education and training
The education section of your CV is where you provide details about your academic background, including the names of schools or universities attended, the degrees or qualifications obtained and the dates of graduation.
Example:
September 2016 – June 2020
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Stafford University
Degree classification: Second Class Upper (2:1).
Subjects studied:
Financial Management
Credit Risk Analysis
Business Accounting
Economics
Investment Analysis
September 2014 – June 2016 Results: Mathematics: A, Economics: A, Business Studies: B, Chemistry: B.
A-Levels
Eaglebrook College
Qualifications
The qualification section of a CV is where you showcase any professional training, courses or skills certifications that enhance your suitability for the role.
Example:
Level 5 Diploma in Credit Management – Institute of Credit Management
Advanced Diploma in Financial Management – Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) Accreditation – CICM
Skills
The skills section of a CV is where you highlight your relevant abilities which are valuable for the job, typically presented as a list of key competencies, technical skills and qualities.
Example:
Debt recovery: Successfully recovered £500,000 in outstanding debts within the first quarter of 2022, exceeding the target by 20%.
Client relationship management: Built and maintained strong client relationships, leading to improved payment timelines and a 25% increase in recovered debts.
Effective communication: Communicated with clients, legal teams and colleagues to negotiate payment plans and resolve disputes, ensuring a 98% accuracy rate in credit report assessments.
Negotiation skills: Negotiating with clients for favourable payment terms and resolving disputes is a key part of the job.
Debt recovery: Expertise in recovering outstanding debts and meeting collection targets.
Financial analysis: The capacity to analyse financial statements to identify credit risks and make informed decisions.
Team collaboration: Collaborating with cross-functional teams to address billing discrepancies and resolve payment issues.
Time management: Managing multiple accounts and priorities efficiently to meet deadlines and reduce overdue accounts.
Documentation: Maintaining accurate and organised records of financial transactions.
Software proficiency: Proficiency in using credit control software and financial tools.
Conflict resolution: Resolving payment disputes professionally and diplomatically.
Hobbies and interests (optional)
The hobbies section of a CV is an optional segment where you can include personal interests and extracurricular activities, which can demonstrate qualities such as teamwork, creativity or dedication and offer potential conversation starters during interviews.
Outside of work, I enjoy delving into financial literature to stay updated on industry trends, which complements my role as a credit controller. Additionally, I’m an avid chess player, which sharpens my analytical and strategic thinking skills, crucial for making informed decisions.
References
The references section of a CV is where you list individuals who can vouch for your character and professional abilities, including their names, job titles and contact information.
Example:
Mr. Richard Wells Financial Manager, ABC Finance Ltd Address: 6 Waterfall Street, London W1A 1AA Tel: 01234 567 890 Email:[email protected]
Ms. Helen Evans Senior Credit Analyst, XYZ Banking Group Address: 56 Oak Lane, Manchester M2 2XY Tel: 07890 123 456 Email:[email protected]
Note: If you do not wish to disclose your references on your CV, you should write, “References are available upon request.”
Tailor your CV: Customise your CV for each application by highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to the role you’re pursuing. Refer to the personal specification for ideas.
Use facts and figures: Use specific numbers and percentages to showcase your accomplishments, such as “Reduced bad debt by 20%.” Instead of, “Reduced debt.”
Check spelling and grammar: Proofread your CV for errors and mistakes, especially as the role that you are applying for requires attention to detail.
Highlight software expertise: Specify your proficiency with software tools commonly used in credit control, such as SAP, Oracle, or QuickBooks.
Be concise: Keep your CV concise, ideally not exceeding two pages.
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).
