Credit Controller, Full Time Permanent

Kennedys is looking for a Credit Controller to join our Finance team, based in Sydney.

To work competently as a Credit Controller, you will contribute to the effectiveness of the Finance department by providing a comprehensive and efficient service to internal and external clients in order to ensure that the business objectives of the firm and the department are achieved.

**Team**

Kennedys Finance team support the firm globally producing timely and accurate financial and management information, reporting solutions and operational support to maintain the high standard of service offered to the firm's internal and external clients internationally.

Our finance team is made up of a Head of Finance-APAC, Finance Manager, Financial Accountant, two Accounts Assistants and Accounts Clerk. This role interacts with both the local finance team members as well as the UK finance team from time-to-time.

The Credit Controller will work closely with, and report into, the Finance Manager in Sydney as well as the wider, global Finance team.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Proactively engaging fee earners and partners to improve collections and reduce debt days - attend monthly meetings with fee-earners and partners to agree collection plans
- Review aged debt lists regularly to identify bills that can be chased and ensuring that the debtors are contacted
- Ensuring the credit control database is updated regularly and maintained with current activity summary
- Attend monthly review meetings with the Finance Manager to discuss collection performance and remedial actions
- Attend client meetings as required/requested to ensure/support the prompt payment of outstanding invoices
- Attaining and maintaining cash collection targets
- Producing and ensuring the prompt, accurate delivery of sales invoices, statements and reminder letters to debtors
- Producing statements and interest calculations, as required
- Reviewing bill receipts and identifying/resolving discrepancies immediately
- To resolve collection issues, updating the accounts system (billing details, etc.) and liaising with other Financial Operations teams
- Responding to information requests promptly, referring any complex queries to the Finance Manager
- To ensure compliance with all relevant statutory regulations at all times
- To ensure a high standard of work output and quality of information
- To work with the Finance Manager and other members of the Finance team to implement changes, to maximise efficiency and level of service
- To ensure a proactive approach is taken to carrying out all duties to maintain/improve client relations and goodwill
- To operate within and adhere to the firms working practices, quality procedures and protocols and information security systems as specified by the firm
- To ensure confidentiality and security of all practice information and client's documentation
- To work on your own initiative
- To undertake any specific training course identified by the HR Department, line managers or external training provider
- To operate safely in the work place
- To perform any other relevant tasks as specified by the firm

**Required experience**
- Working knowledge of a Credit Control function and legal billing cycles
- Knowledge of Solicitors Accounting Rules and GST gained through experience (preferred)
- Ability to liaise with all levels of staff across the business and maintain strong relationships
- Commitment to delivering a professional service to the highest standards with a strong focus on client service
- Attention to detail
- Ability to prioritise workload streams
- Proactive team player
- Self-motivated
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a confident telephone manner and strong writing skills
- Good level of IT skills, including Word and Excel. Ideally a working knowledge of Elite 3E or similar financial systems

**About Kennedys**

Kennedys is a global law firm with expertise in dispute resolution and advisory services. With over 2,400 people worldwide across 44 offices in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and America we have some of the most respected legal minds in their field.

Our lawyers handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, and provide a range of specialist legal services, for many industry sectors but we have particular expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, especially in defending insurance and liability claims.

We're a fresh-thinking firm, and we're not afraid to bring challenging new perspectives to the table way beyond the traditional realm of legal services. We empower our clients with a diverse range of ideas, tools and technology to make their lives easier, as well as delivering exceptional results, every time.

**What do we have to offer?**

We welcome high-performing lawyers, business services professionals, secretaries, graduates and apprentices to join our rapidly expanding global firm. Whatever your role at Kennedys, you'll be involved in exciting and stimulatin