Credit manager

You could do a foundation degree or degree in business, finance or accounting.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

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• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could take a college course like a Level 3 Diploma in Personal and Business Finance. You could then apply for jobs with a credit control company.

Courses in accounts or finance are also suitable.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

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• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could complete a credit controller advanced apprenticeship, then apply for a management trainee post.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

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• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could start as a credit controller with a company and take training on the job to move into a management role.

Training could include qualifications like the Level 3 Diploma in Credit Management offered by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM).

The CICM also has qualifications in areas like debt collection, enforcement action and senior management.

There are no set requirements to apply directly for jobs, but most credit managers have experience and qualifications as credit controllers, sales administrators or debt collection agents.

You could also move into this work from other financial areas like accountancy and banking.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in credit control from the Chartered Institute of Credit Management.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• persistence and determination
• leadership skills
• maths knowledge
• to be flexible and open to change
• business management skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• checking customer credit ratings with banks and credit reference agencies
• deciding whether to offer credit
• setting up terms of credit and making sure the customer pays on time
• managing a team of credit controllers or accounting technicians
• negotiating repayment plans
• stopping supplies of goods to late-paying business customers
• starting legal action to recover debts if necessary
• liaising with other creditors, arranging for goods to be recovered by bailiffs or dealing with liquidators if a company's assets are to be sold off

You could work at a client's home, in an office or at a client's business.