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Credit manager

Alternative titles for this job include

Credit managers control the amount of finance offered by their company and manage the debts owed to it.

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a credit manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

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

More Information

College

You could take a college course and then apply for jobs with a credit control company. Courses include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Business
  • Level 3 Accounting Diploma
  • T Level in Finance

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
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

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

This apprenticeship usually takes around 18 months to complete as a mix of on the job learning and study.

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

More Information

Work

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.

Direct Application

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.

More Information

Further information

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

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

  • check customer credit ratings with banks and credit reference agencies
  • decide whether to offer credit
  • set up terms of credit and make sure the customer pays on time
  • manage a team of credit controllers or accounting technicians
  • negotiate repayment plans
  • stop supplies of goods to late-paying business customers
  • start legal action to recover debts if necessary
  • liaise with other creditors and arrange for goods to be recovered by bailiffs
  • deal with liquidators if a company's assets are to be sold off

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress into senior management or move to a larger company.

Alternatively, you could move into insolvency work with an accountancy firm or become a self-employed consultant and advise businesses on credit systems.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a credit manager right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Business Finance BTEC Level 3 Sub Diploma

  • Provider: GATEWAY SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2022
  • Location: Leicester

Business, Marketing and Finance - Level 3 Extended Diploma

  • Provider: RIVERSIDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2022
  • Location: WIDNES
Find courses near you

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