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What is the role of a credit control manager?

Control how money comes into an organisation, and help to establish strong customer relationships.

What is a credit control manager?

Credit control means overseeing an organisation’s incoming finance. As a manager, you will be controlling the process of payment for the organisation’s services or products, and making sure that payments are received promptly and efficiently.

Credit control management is a critical position that directly contributes to an organisation’s liquidity. It also means you’ll be helping to create strong customer relationships.

How do I achieve it?

You'll first develop the accounting skills required for this role in a junior or assistant credit control position, after which you can progress upwards to more senior roles such as credit control manager or more general financial manager.

Frequently asked questions

A junior credit controller manages customer accounts to ensure invoices are paid on time. Their tasks usually include chasing overdue payments, reconciling accounts, raising invoices, monitoring credit limits, and resolving billing queries. They help protect the company’s cash flow and reduce financial risk.

Yes. General accounting covers broader financial tasks like preparing financial statements, bookkeeping, and reporting. Credit control focuses specifically on managing debts, monitoring payments, and maintaining healthy cash flow. It’s a specialised area within finance.

Credit controllers are needed in almost every sector where businesses sell goods or services on credit.

Common industries include:

  • Manufacturing and wholesale
  • Retail and e-commerce
  • Utilities and telecommunications
  • Financial services
  • Professional services

Key skills include:

  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Good communication and negotiation skills
  • Basic accounting knowledge
  • Proficiency in Excel and accounting software
  • Organisation and time management

Yes. It provides hands-on experience with financial processes, customer interactions, and understanding company cash flow. It’s a strong foundation for roles in accounting, finance, or business analysis.

Studying ACCA develops your accounting and finance knowledge, including financial reporting, management accounting, and ethics. This gives you a strong understanding of company finances, which is directly applicable to credit control roles. Employers often value ACCA students because they are learning industry-standard skills while gaining professional recognition.

Absolutely. Many ACCA students start in credit control because it offers practical finance experience without requiring full accounting qualifications. It allows you to gain the Practical Experience Requirement (PER) hours needed for ACCA membership while developing transferable skills.

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Credit control management is a critical position that directly contributes to an organisation’s liquidity

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