Collector Associate – Southampton 12m FTC

Southampton, Hampshire
PwC.
Our purpose focuses on how we contribute to society, and how our business decisions can contribute to greater trust and solving important problems. In order to achieve our purpose and deliver a first-class service to our clients, we need first-class support internally. The people who power us – our internal teams – have a vital role to make sure we have all the right resources, services and technology to be the best we can be. Not all of us work directly with external clients.
About us:

Receivables comprises three closely linked operational teams: Collections, Inter-territory Receivables and Cash Allocations. The 30+ strong team is based predominantly in Southampton, with a small contingent in Belfast and within the firm’s Shared Delivery Centre in Poland.

The Collections team provides essential support to client engagement teams across the firm, in the collection and recovery of their outstanding fees. Additionally, we provide expertise in dispute management, debt recovery via legal action and client insolvency, advocating a cash focused culture and helping to drive sustainable working capital improvements for the firm.

Who we’re looking for:

We’re looking for an individual to join our Receivables section, specifically the Collections team, in making a significant contribution to our receivables working capital performance ambitions.

An enthusiastic and aspiring individual, you’ll enjoy working as part of a team whilst building relationships with clients and internal stakeholders. A confident communicator, you’ll know how to actively listen, interpret situations and use your influencing skills to help you achieve optimal results.

Experience and awareness of other operational finance functions such as cash management / allocation and accounts payable would be an advantage.

CICM is the recognised standard in credit management and attainment of any qualifications through the CICM would be an advantage.

About the role:

Reporting to one of the Team Leaders within the management structure, you’ll be part of a dynamic and diverse team of Collectors playing an important role in maximising cash collection and minimising aged debt for the firm.

You’ll be a confident communicator and tenacious in your approach. You’ll employ the most effective and efficient means of communication with your portfolio of assigned clients, embracing new technology and smarter ways of working to deliver optimal value to our business stakeholders.

Routine activities & responsibilities include:

• Contact the firm’s clients to secure payment of outstanding fees using the most effective and efficient methods (telephone, email, clients’ supplier portals) – accurately record every action taken on the collections system
• Own your client debt portfolio and utilise technology to effectively prioritise your workload and achieve optimal results
• Identify payment obstacles promptly and notify relevant internal stakeholders, in line with set processes, to expedite resolution
• Work collaboratively across Receivables to maximise cash collection and develop preventative strategies to drive down aged debt
• Work with your team to achieve set targets and KPI’s
• Work collaboratively with the Cash Allocation team to support the timely and accurate allocation of client payment receipts

• Complete all necessary risk and compliance training and ensure strict adherence to the firm’s risk and quality standards
• Contribute to various project work streams and initiatives
• Assume responsibility for your ongoing development – proactively identify opportunities and draw on available learning resources
• Engage in coaching with your Team Leaders and / or Career Coach to enhance your personal and professional development

Essential skills & experience:

• Experience within a collections / credit control or wider AR role
• Able to demonstrate understanding and application of best practice collections principles and their wider impacts within the contract to cash (C2C) value chain
• Skilled influencer and negotiator – able to apply this collaboratively with clients and internal stakeholders to gain best possible outcome for the firm
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written – attention to detail is a must
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills
• Positive and professional “can do” attitude
• Self-motivated with the ability to work well in a team environment
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build relationships
• Agile with change, demonstrating flexible approach and resilience
• Tenacious – will persevere to achieve results for self and team

Desirable skills & experience:

• Knowledge of other key finance functions such as cash allocation, cash & banking, AP (Accounts Payable)
• Experience of working within the professional services sector
• Understanding of Data Protection (GDPR) & Anti Money Laundering regulations
• CICM or equivalent qualification would be a distinct advantage