Debt Controller
16 hours ago
Sutton
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for pupils and students from nursery to further education. We operate across academies and college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operates learning support services, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business support team which includes HR, finance and IT. Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. These include autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health needs; profound and multiple learning disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health conditions. We are looking for a Debt Controller to join our central finance team. In this role, you will be responsible for managing and recovering outstanding debts, working closely with Local Authorities on funding arrangements and pupil-related income such as EHCP support, alternative provision, top-up funding, as well as other income streams including lettings and farm activities. The ideal candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and confident in building strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure timely collections, maintain accurate records, and support the Trust’s overall financial stability and compliance. Key Responsibilities: • Debt Management and Income Collection - Proactively manage the Trust-wide debtor ledger, implement consistent credit control processes, maintain accurate records, and escalate high-risk or persistent debts with recommended actions., • Local Authority Liaison - Serve as the main contact for Local Authority finance and SEND teams, monitor expected funding streams (EHCP top-ups, alternative provision, grants, SLAs), and reconcile allocations against pupil-level data., • Invoicing and Reconciliations - Ensure accurate, timely invoicing, reconcile aged debt reports, and investigate and resolve discrepancies with internal and external stakeholders., • Reporting and Compliance - Produce regular reports on debtor balances, collection performance, and aged debt trends; ensure all debt recovery activities comply with Financial Regulations, GDPR, and accounting standards., • Internal Collaboration and Process Improvement - Work closely with academy and central finance teams to support reconciliations, cashflow, audits, and guidance on income processes, contributing to system and process improvements. Key Requirements: • Experience in credit control or debt management, preferably within education, public sector, or multi-site organisations., • Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial processes, including invoicing, reconciliations, and reporting., • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with Local Authorities, school staff, and internal teams., • Highly organised with strong attention to detail, able to manage multiple accounts, monitor aged debt, and escalate issues appropriately., • Proactive and analytical mindset, with the ability to identify trends, recommend improvements, and support process and system enhancements., • Willingness to travel to academies and Local Authority offices on occasion if required. OHC&AT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees: Rewards & Benefits: • Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment., • Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family., • Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme), • Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme, • Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more), • Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme) Find out what makes OHC&AT a truly rewarding place to work - visit our ‘Work for us’ page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, John Prior, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day. Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential. As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities. It is an exciting time to be part of OHC&AT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment. We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners. Closing Date: 10th December 2025 Interviews will take place on: The week commencing 15th December 2025 Safeguarding Statement Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.