Credit Control Assistant

Credit Control Assistant

Wedlake Bell is seeking a Credit Control Assistant to become a valuable member of our Accounts & Finance Team. This is a newly created, permanent role.

Our Accounts & Finance team play a crucial role in maintaining the financial health of our firm by managing day-to-day accounting tasks, assisting with financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with accounting procedures and regulatory standards.

As a Credit Control Assistant, you will work closely with the Senior Credit Controller and our wider Accounts & Finance team to provide an efficient and comprehensive credit control service to the firm, pursuing debtors by telephone, email, and letter to secure payment in line with the firm's payment terms.

We are looking for someone with a passion for accounting and providing a first-class service to the firm. Candidates will ideally have some prior credit control (or accounts) experience in a professional services setting (legal, banking, etc), with strong attention to detail and a keen attitude to develop in a friendly, fast-paced team.

About Us:

Located in the heart of the City of London, Wedlake Bell is a Top 100 law firm offering full services across Private Client, Real Estate, Business Services, and Disputes. The firm has 81 Partners and a total headcount of around 400. We have grown year-on-year, attributed to the continual success of our legal teams, and the dedication of our staff members.

Our culture is widely-recognised as one of the best in City law, built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Joining us, you will be part of a firm which supports work/life balance, personal development, and building strong connections. With regular cross-firm socials and events (including our renowned yearly ski trip and walking trips!), you will quickly feel like part of the WB team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide a comprehensive credit control service – pursue small to medium sized debtors of the firm by telephone, email, and letter to ensure payment for our services in line with our payment terms;
• Chasing on a weekly basis until paid or queries resolved;
• Liaise with internal stakeholders (secretaries, fee-earners, and partners) to improve our collections and reduce debtor days – agreeing collection plans with our legal teams;
• Review aged debt lists regularly to identify bills which need to be chased – ensuring any issues are identified and dealt with (or escalated) promptly;
• Take ownership of chasing internal and external queries holding up payments and ensuring internal stakeholders are updated with timeframes for resolution;
• Review bills, remittances, receipts, etc to ensure there are no discrepancies and resolving issues as they may arise;
• Obtaining credit reports for new clients and applying to PMS (Elite 3E);
• Involvement in ongoing aged / historic debt project to unlock settlement and ensure we have updated records on the system;
• Meeting with a small number of fee earners monthly/quarterly to work through their outstanding bill balances;
• Produce partner and fee earner debt reports across the firm. Liaising and dealing with any action points that arise and upkeep of system records;
• Processing credit card payments from clients;
• Assisting with and reviewing the exposure report when needed;
• Loading invoices to various billing portals across several teams;
• Bills despatch (where required);
• Process small bill write offs and update the register accordingly;
• Process write-offs of irrecoverable WIP balances;
• Process write-offs of irrecoverable disbursement balances
• Close completed client matters on Elite 3E;
• Update Fee Earners on Elite 3E as and when required;
• Ensure compliance with the firm's policies and procedures, as well as all regulatory requirements, at all times;
• Provide support as required to the wider Accounts & Finance team on ad-hoc projects, or cyclical requirements (month-end, year-end, audits, etc);
• Other ad-hoc duties as required.

Key skills and Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a credit control position (at least one year), ideally in a law firm or professional services environment;
• Excellent communication skills, both in telephone manner and written communication;
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy;
• Proficient in the use of Office 365 applications, particularly Excel;
• Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise effectively;
• Have a positive attitude and be proactive; and
• Ability to ensure confidentiality of all information is maintained.

Why Join Us?

• A competitive starting salary and bonus;
• A comprehensive pension plan;
• 25 days paid holiday per annum, plus additional leave for significant life events;
• Option to purchase up to five additional days of holiday each year;
• Life Assurance and competitive income protection scheme;
• Access to Private Medical and Dental Insurance from day one;
• Enhanced parental leave policies;
• Employee Assistance Programme with face-to-face counselling services;
• Variety of staff wellbeing initiatives including Pilates classes and subsidised gym memberships; and
• A range of bonus schemes recognising referrals and client introductions.

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every individual is respected and valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of their background or personal circumstances.

If you are passionate about joining a busy team and are eager for a challenging yet fulfilling career, we encourage you to apply.