Credit controller
Business and Finance

How to become a credit controller

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

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

College (Entry requirements)

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 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

Direct application

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.

More info

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

What it takes

Skills & 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

Restriction & Requirements

You'll need to:

• have a full driving licence

What you'll do

Day to day

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 and progression

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.