Credit Controller

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £30,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends on shifts

How To Become a Credit Controller

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You could do a Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Financial Studies.

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this role through a credit controller or accounts and finance assistant intermediate apprenticeship, or advanced apprenticeship for credit controllers and debt collection specialists.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply directly to be a credit controller, as many large companies will train you on the job. The qualifications and experience you'll need will vary, but most employers will expect you to have:

3 to 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths, and sometimes college qualifications
the ability to use spreadsheets and computerised accounts packages
experience of office administration or customer service work

A qualification in bookkeeping or accounts can also be useful.

You may be able to move into credit control after getting experience in accounts, finance or debt collecting.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
ambition and a desire to succeed
administration skills
persistence and determination
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In this role you could be:

contacting individuals or business customers when payment is overdue
checking credit records and tracing missing debtors
setting up repayment plans and working with debt counsellors
setting up and maintaining customer files
processing payments
starting legal proceedings if debts are not paid within an agreed time
liaising with solicitors and bailiffs

Working Environment

You could work in an office or in a contact centre.

Career Path & Progression

With experience and professional qualifications, you could be promoted to credit manager.

You could also start your own collection agency or set up as a freelance field collection agent.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can get more details on working in credit control, and specialist in-work qualifications, from the Chartered Institute of Credit Management.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.