Accounting Assistant - SBL

Job Specification: Senior Credit Control Officer Reports to: [Head of Finance] Team: Financial Solutions / Arrears Management Location: Brentford or Harlow People responsibility: Initially none, but expected to take on leadership responsibilities as the function scales. Role Purpose The Senior Credit Control Officer is responsible for the end-to-end management of arrears, repayment solutions, and debt recovery activities across the Credit Union. The role ensures that members in financial difficulty are treated fairly and ethically while protecting the organisation’s financial position, minimising loan losses, and ensuring compliance with regulatory expectations. This is a senior, analytical, and member-focused role requiring strong judgement, excellent communication skills, and the ability to balance commercial, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Key Responsibilities 1. Arrears Management & Member Engagement • Monitor the loan book daily/weekly to identify emerging arrears and potential high-risk accounts., • Contact members in arrears via phone, email, SMS and written communication to understand circumstances, provide support, and agree appropriate repayment solutions., • Conduct affordability assessments (aligned with FCA and industry standards) to determine realistic repayment plans, forbearance, or restructuring options., • Manage sensitive conversations with members in financial difficulty in a compassionate, ethical, and solutions-oriented manner., • Oversee the process for rescheduled or re-written loans, ensuring consistent application of internal policies. 2. Credit Control Strategy, Policy & Process • Develop, update and embed Credit Control policies, procedures, and workflows in line with regulatory expectations, internal risk appetite, and best practice., • Identify control gaps, improve processes, and introduce new tools and technologies to enhance arrears collection efficiency and member experience., • Ensure all member-facing teams understand basic credit control processes and can provide accurate information to members. 3. External Debt Collection Oversight • Determine when accounts should transition from internal arrears management to external debt collection, based on risk appetite, cost/benefit analysis, and member circumstances., • Act as the primary liaison with third-party Debt Collection Agencies (DCAs), monitoring:, • performance KPIs,, • recovery rates,, • compliance with ethical and regulatory standards,, • value for money., • Review DCA performance data and recommend continuation, escalation, or termination of mandates. 4. Financial Analysis & Loan Loss Provisions • Analyse arrears trends, delinquency migrations, roll rates, and recovery patterns to identify emerging risks., • Provide monthly reporting for management and the Board on arrears, collections performance, and expected credit losses (ECL)., • Work closely with Finance to:, • calculate and validate loan loss provisions,, • understand the impact of write-offs on P&L,, • forecast impairment and recovery levels., • Contribute to stress testing, scenario analysis, and forward-looking risk assessments. 5. Data & Reporting • Maintain accurate and detailed member account notes, arrears records, and repayment agreements., • Produce high-quality management information, including:, • arrears by ageing category,, • new delinquencies vs cures,, • repayment plan performance,, • DCA outcomes,, • provisions and write-offs,, • Consumer Duty-aligned outcomes analysis., • Support quarterly and annual reporting requirements, including materials for the Board, auditors, and potential investors. 6. Risk, Compliance & Conduct • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory expectations relating to credit control, Consumer Duty, forbearance, fair treatment of customers, and debt collection., • Ensure all arrears and collections activity remains compliant with FCA Handbook, CONC, and internal policies., • Handle member complaints relating to arrears or collections promptly, fairly, and in line with internal complaints procedures., • Demonstrate high standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical judgement in all member interactions. 7. Team & Leadership (as the function grows) • Support the training, coaching, and development of junior team members., • Help design team structure, performance metrics, and workflow standards for a growing arrears management function., • Provide cover for the Head of Finance or Risk & Compliance Manager as needed on credit-related matters. Person Specification Essential Skills & Experience • Significant experience in credit control, arrears management, or collections within a financial services organisation (bank, credit union, building society, or FCA-regulated lender)., • Strong understanding of ethical and responsible lending practices., • Experience conducting affordability assessments and agreeing repayment solutions., • Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret financial and member data to drive decisions., • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to manage sensitive conversations., • High proficiency in Excel and core Microsoft applications., • Experience managing relationships with external service providers or debt collectors., • Proven ability to balance commercial objectives with fair customer outcomes. Desirable • Experience working within a credit union or similar mutual financial institution., • Understanding of IFRS 9 impairment principles (or willingness to learn)., • Experience building or improving credit control processes or systems., • Experience in team leadership or mentoring. Qualifications Essential • A finance-related qualification or equivalent relevant industry experience. Desirable • Additional credit management, financial analysis, or regulatory qualifications (e.g., CICM, CeMAP, or similar). Conduct Rules (FCA) You must: • Act with integrity., • Act with due skill, care and diligence., • Be open and cooperative with the FCA, PRA, and other regulators. Values & Behaviours • Ethical, member-focused and compassionate., • Highly organised and reliable., • Analytical and commercially aware., • Calm under pressure, able to manage complex or sensitive cases., • Collaborative team player who contributes to a strong risk culture.

About the Company J & S Business Consultant Limited is a UK-based business consultancy specialising in supporting overseas companies establishing and operating in the UK. Our services include company incorporation, company secretarial support, bookkeeping support, VAT registration and submissions, management accounting assistance, and coordination with external accountants, auditors, solicitors, and banks. Job Duties • Maintaining accurate bookkeeping records for the company’s client portfolio using accounting software such as Xero or QuickBooks., • Posting sales and purchase invoices, processing expenses, and recording bank transactions., • Performing regular bank reconciliations and basic balance sheet reconciliations., • Preparing monthly bookkeeping summaries and draft management reports for review by external accountants., • Assisting with VAT registrations and preparing quarterly VAT calculations and submissions to HMRC., • Supporting corporation tax compliance by preparing schedules and documentation for external tax advisers., • Monitoring basic cashflow and expense reporting for clients., • Liaising with licensed accountants and auditors responsible for statutory reporting., • Acting as a first point of contact for clients on routine UK bookkeeping and compliance documentation matters., • Organising and maintaining accounting records related to company formation and professional appointments. Who We Are Looking For • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline., • Professional bookkeeping or accounting training., • Minimum 3 years’ UK bookkeeping or accounting experience within an SME or practice environment., • Good working knowledge of UK VAT rules and HMRC reporting processes., • Experience using Xero, QuickBooks, or similar bookkeeping software, and strong Excel skills., • High attention to detail, good organisational ability, and the capability to manage multiple client accounts., • Clear and professional communication skills in English.

We are seeking a reliable and experienced Bookkeeper to support the financial operations of our property management and estate agency. The successful candidate will ensure accurate financial record-keeping, compliance with regulations, and timely reporting. Key Responsibilities: Maintain and reconcile financial records for managed properties and client accounts. Process income, expenses, and supplier invoices with accuracy and efficiency. Prepare financial statements and management reports. Monitor rent payments, deposits, and contractor disbursements. Ensure compliance with HMRC, accounting standards, and client money protection requirements. Requirements: Proven bookkeeping experience within property management or real estate. Proficiency in accounting software. Strong attention to detail, integrity, and confidentiality. AAT qualification or equivalent (preferred). We offer: A professional and collaborative work environment. Opportunity for career progression.