At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in managing accounts receivable and debt recovery services.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking council committed to excellent financial services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving financial processes and customer service.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to work with senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Finance Team Leader – Accounts Receivable plays a key role in supporting the Head of Exchequer Services in delivering an efficient, effective, and customer-focused exchequer service. The postholder is responsible for leading day-to-day delivery across accounts receivable, income collection, debt management and recovery, while working closely with council services, senior officers, and suppliers to ensure correct financial processes are followed and continuously improved.
Job Purpose
To lead and develop a proactive Accounts Receivable team that delivers high-quality income and debt services, ensures strong financial control, and provides excellent customer service. The role acts as a key point of contact for services and senior stakeholders, driving compliance with financial procedures, improving processes and systems, and maximising the benefits of automation and data-led working.
Key Responsibilities
- Service Delivery & Operations
- Lead and manage the delivery of Accounts Receivable, income collection, billing, debt management and recovery services to a high professional standard.
- Ensure performance targets and KPIs are achieved, including timely invoicing, income collection, and effective debt recovery.
- Oversee the preparation and reporting of performance and management information to senior management.
- Work collaboratively with internal services and external suppliers to resolve income and payment-related issues efficiently.
- Leadership & Management
- Lead, motivate and develop a team of up to 10 staff, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, collaboration and customer focus.
- Manage recruitment, probation, performance appraisals, objective setting, and staff development in line with council policies.
- Promote a coaching and continuous improvement culture within the team.
- Deputise for the Head of Exchequer Services as required.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with senior officers, Heads of Service, and Directors.
- Act as a trusted point of contact, providing professional advice and guidance on income, debt, and exchequer processes.
- Represent the council at internal and external meetings, benchmarking groups, and with external partners where required.
- Systems, Processes & Improvement
- Ensure financial systems and processes for receivables and income are configured optimally and operate effectively.
- Drive continuous improvement, business process redesign, and automation to improve efficiency and service quality.
- Ensure data quality, data cleansing, and consistent use of systems across services.
- Support training and enablement of end users to ensure correct use of financial systems and compliance with procedures.
- Financial Control & Compliance
- Maintain strong financial controls to meet internal and external audit requirements.
- Ensure timely reconciliations and checks to minimise risk, prevent fraud, and avoid duplicate or unauthorised transactions.
- Ensure compliance with financial regulations, procurement and payment legislation, VAT requirements, and council policies.
- Identify and elevate non-compliance and risks appropriately.
- Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge of relevant financial legislation, policies, standards and best practice.
- Contribute to the monitoring and delivery of financial management strategies and improvement programmes.
- Act in accordance with data protection, health and safety, equalities legislation, and the council's code of conduct.
Person Specification (Summary)
- Detailed understanding of public sector or local government exchequer services, particularly accounts receivable, income and debt.
- Experience of leading or supervising staff within a finance or income-related service.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial processes clearly to non-finance colleagues.
- Experience working with financial systems and strong IT skills, including Excel.
- Strong customer focus with the ability to apply financial controls firmly and diplomatically.
Desirable
- Experience of change management, process improvement or system implementation.
- CCAB qualification (or equivalent), or actively studying towards one.
Finance Team Leader – Accounts Receivable – AR in London employer: Carrington Blake Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Carrington Blake Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Team Leader – Accounts Receivable – AR in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who work in accounts receivable. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of financial processes and systems. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led teams and improved service delivery in past roles. We want to see that passion for customer service!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for opportunities that match your skills in accounts receivable and finance leadership.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Team Leader – Accounts Receivable – AR in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Team Leader role. Highlight your experience in accounts receivable, income collection, and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our customer-focused exchequer service. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've motivated teams, managed performance, and fostered a culture of collaboration and accountability.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington Blake Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on key financial concepts related to accounts receivable, income collection, and debt management. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you understand the role and can lead your team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated staff, managed performance, or implemented improvements. This will demonstrate your capability to foster a culture of ownership and accountability.
✨Understand Stakeholder Engagement
Be ready to discuss how you would build relationships with senior officers and external partners. Think of examples from your experience where you’ve acted as a trusted point of contact and provided professional advice on financial processes.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Highlight your experience with process improvement and automation. Be prepared to share ideas on how you would drive efficiency and service quality within the Accounts Receivable team, showing that you're proactive and forward-thinking.