Credit manager
Business and Finance

How to become a credit manager

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in business, finance or accounting.

University (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a college course like a Level 3 Diploma in Personal and Business Finance. You could then apply for jobs with a credit control company. Courses in accounts or finance are also suitable.

College (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could complete a credit controller advanced apprenticeship, then apply for a management trainee post.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

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

Work

You could start as a credit controller with a company and take training on the job to move into a management role. Training could include qualifications like the Level 3 Diploma in Credit Management offered by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM). The CICM also has qualifications in areas like debt collection, enforcement action and senior management.

Direct application

There are no set requirements to apply directly for jobs, but most credit managers have experience and qualifications as credit controllers, sales administrators or debt collection agents. You could also move into this work from other financial areas like accountancy and banking.

More info

Further information You can find out more about working and training in credit control from the Chartered Institute of Credit Management.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• persistence and determination
• leadership skills
• maths knowledge
• to be flexible and open to change
• business management skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you'll do

Day to day

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• checking customer credit ratings with banks and credit reference agencies
• deciding whether to offer credit
• setting up terms of credit and making sure the customer pays on time
• managing a team of credit controllers or accounting technicians
• negotiating repayment plans
• stopping supplies of goods to late-paying business customers
• starting legal action to recover debts if necessary
• liaising with other creditors, arranging for goods to be recovered by bailiffs or dealing with liquidators if a company's assets are to be sold off

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, in an office or at a client's business

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience, you could progress into senior management or move to a larger company. Alternatively, you could move into insolvency work with an accountancy firm or become a self-employed consultant, advising businesses on credit systems.