Finance Officer : Accounts Receivable

We are hiring! At Sappi, we are a leading global provider with a reputation for delivering high-quality sustainable Woodfibre products and solutions for the global markets.

We lead through our values centred around safety, integrity, courage, and making smart decisions which we execute with speed.

We are seeking unique people who believe in fostering a diverse, inclusive, and safe environment. We're on the lookout for an experienced Finance Officer - Accounts Receivable to manage and analyse Sappi Southern Africa's (SSA) customer accounts in accordance with credit policies and procedures.

The role will implement controls to avoid non-compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, loss of revenue, deterioration in cash and bad debts, prepare risk reports and inform management promptly of key business risks.

This position will oversee two functions, namely cash collections and credit risk. As a Finance Officer - Accounts Receivable, you will be responsible to:

1. Supervise the credit control team, review work completed to identify and close gaps, improve processes, provide coaching, and guidance on complex reviews and customer queries.
2. Analyse and evaluate work performed by credit controllers for new and existing customer accounts.
3. Review credit bureau data and financial statements, validating information before making recommendations to senior management for approval.
4. Guide the team to conduct data analysis of customer accounts daily to identify risks and ensure appropriate controls are in place.
5. Analyse overdue accounts and ageing reports, intervening promptly to find a resolution.
6. Identify insurance gaps and liaise with the insurer to obtain maximum coverage to reduce Sappi's risk.
7. Monitor and track temporary credit limits and customers that are overdue and up for next review.
8. Assess if rebate payments can be released in line with the customers' payment terms.
9. Prepare and submit customer information for commercial review to senior management.
10. Coordinate information in the preparation of bi-annual board papers that entail customer trading history, credit, and insured limits.
11. Extract, analyse, and prepare monthly reports i.e. SSA and Global Credit Risk Report, Credit Insurance Declarations, and other Adhoc credit reports.
12. Gather and coordinate information and data from SAP in preparation of budgets, forecasts, and information required for quarterly and bi-annual reports.
13. Monitor the cash management process which includes cash application and cash clearing.
14. Prepare and submit weekly cash forecast for review.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance or related equivalent.
• Credit Risk Certification would be preferred and substantial progress towards an Honours Degree.
• 3 or more years relevant Credit Risk and Credit Management experience.
• Supervisor / Management experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office and SAP.