Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Karen Ann De Klerk

Karen Ann De Klerk

Credit Management
Germiston,GP

Summary

Dynamic finance professional with a proven track record at Grohedawn Watertech, excelling in customer service and problem-solving. Spearheaded credit control improvements, reducing debtor days significantly. Skilled in MS Office and adept at fostering team collaboration, I consistently enhance operational efficiency and financial health through strategic leadership and analytical prowess.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Creditors Administrator

Vortex Sanitaryware (Pty) Ltd
01.2021 - Current
  • Prepared vendor invoices and processed incoming payments.
  • Reviewed vendor invoices for appropriate documentation and validity prior to payment.
  • Reduced late payment penalties by closely monitoring due dates and managing timely payments.
  • Collaborated with other departments to resolve discrepancies in invoices or purchase orders, promoting smooth business operations.
  • Maintained good working relationships with vendors and resolved disputes.
  • Assisted in month-end closing procedures, ensuring all invoices were processed on time to reflect accurate financial statements.
  • Maintained high level of data integrity by consistently updating vendor information in the system accurately.
  • Maintained accurate financial records by regularly reconciling accounts payable transactions.
  • Reviewed employee expense reports against company policies, safeguarding corporate funds from misuse.
  • Evaluated financial records to detect errors and discrepancies.
  • Streamlined invoice processing by implementing efficient filing and tracking systems.
  • Increased accuracy in expense reporting by thoroughly reviewing submitted claims and verifying supporting documentation.
  • Aided audit preparation efforts by maintaining organized records and promptly addressing auditor inquiries.
  • Demonstrated adaptability during peak workload periods while maintaining high-quality results and meeting tight deadlines.
  • Prepared comprehensive monthly reports detailing outstanding payables, providing valuable insights for decision-making processes.
  • Contributed to cost savings by negotiating better payment terms with several key suppliers.
  • Maintained accurate financial records, contributing to successful audits by organizing and filing all accounts payable documents.
  • Facilitated smoother end-of-month closings by collaborating with accounting team to reconcile accounts payable ledgers.
  • Reduced environmental impact by transitioning to paperless accounts payable process.
  • Accelerated invoice approval times, implemented electronic invoice submission and approval processes.
  • Reduced processing errors, implemented double-check system for all outgoing payments.
  • Streamlined vendor payments, ensuring timely financial operations by accurately scheduling and executing payments.
  • Optimized cash flow management with strategic scheduling of payments to vendors.
  • Input financial data and produced reports using Sage Evolution.
  • Reconciled company bank, credit card and line of credit accounts, investigating, and resolving discrepancies to keep accounts audit-ready.
  • Matched purchase orders with invoices and recorded necessary information.

Accounts Receivable Supervisor

Crest Chemicals (Pty) Ltd
05.2019 - 10.2020
  • Oversaw credit approval process for new customers, minimizing risk of bad debt writeoffs.
  • Developed comprehensive reporting systems to track key performance metrics in real-time effectively.
  • Conducted census, financial, and insurance reports of payors to determine necessary actions for overdue or credited accounts.
  • Collaborated with internal departments to resolve billing discrepancies, improving interdepartmental communication.
  • Optimized collections efforts by prioritizing high-value accounts and strategizing targeted approaches.
  • Evaluated customer creditworthiness using financial analysis techniques, safeguarding company assets from potential losses.
  • Improved cash flow by implementing efficient accounts receivable processes and reducing outstanding balances.
  • Resolved accounts with late or skipped payments by contacting account holders or delegating to accounts receivable clerks.
  • Reduced invoice disputes by establishing clear invoicing guidelines and protocols for the team.
  • Conducted monthly account reviews to identify potential issues and maintain healthy aging reports.
  • Implemented stringent follow-up procedures for overdue payments, resulting in faster collection rates.
  • Streamlined account reconciliation procedures, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
  • Updated aging reports based on daily audits.
  • Managed 115 accounts worth R180 million while supervising team of 6 clerks and 2 lower-level accounts.
  • Negotiated payment plans with delinquent customers, preserving long-term business relationships while recovering outstanding funds.
  • Managed a team of accounts receivable clerks, fostering a positive work environment that encouraged professional growth.

Senior Credit Controller

Grohedawn Watertech (Lixil Africa)
04.2014 - 05.2019
  • Maintained strong customer relationships while ensuring prompt payment, addressing disputes, and resolving discrepancies in a professional manner.
  • Developed customized reporting tools for better visibility of aged receivables, enabling proactive management of potential bad debts and writeoffs.
  • Improved credit control processes by implementing effective collection strategies and collaborating with sales teams.
  • Regularly reviewed customer credit limits, adjusting them based on payment trends and financial health to strike the right balance between risk management and sales growth.
  • Implemented industry best practices for credit control operations, keeping abreast of regulatory changes and ensuring compliance with relevant laws.
  • Provided ongoing training and mentorship to junior credit controllers, fostering a culture of continuous learning within the team.
  • Successfully reduced debtor days through implementation of strict payment deadlines, clear communication with customers, and persistent follow-up on past due accounts.
  • Streamlined account reconciliation processes by implementing automated systems and cross-departmental collaboration, leading to faster resolution of discrepancies.
  • Collaborated closely with other departments – such as Sales or Customer Service – to resolve billing issues promptly and prevent future occurrences.
  • Evaluated credit risk by conducting thorough reviews of new customer applications, including financial analysis and reference checks.
  • Established departmental targets for collections activities, driving accountability among team members and improving overall performance metrics.
  • Strengthened internal controls by identifying inefficiencies in existing procedures and recommending improvements to support sustainable growth.
  • Obtained and reviewed credit reports, credit references, credit insurance and financial statements to establish credit limits for new accounts.
  • Devised collection recovery strategies to resolve customer issues and delinquent cases.
  • Reduced past due balances and bad debt by coordinating collection efforts with customer service, sales and billing departments.
  • Performed semi-annual account credit limit reviews and credit increase review requests from financial service and sales teams.

Education

High School Diploma -

Fairvale High |School, Durban South Africa
04.2001 -

Completed Coursework:

  • Fairvale High School KZN - Matric 1981
  • LC \Johnson Training College KZN - Secretarial 1983
  • Varsity College KZN - Bookkeeping, 2001
  • SAOB - JHB - Payroll 2018
  • SACOB - JHB - Credit Management - 2018

Skills

Customer service

Accomplishments

  • Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
  • Achieved incentive programs through effectively improving employee personal growth and performance, boosting customer loyalty and balanced wellness.


Certification

Credit Management - 1 year

Timeline

Creditors Administrator - Vortex Sanitaryware (Pty) Ltd
01.2021 - Current
Accounts Receivable Supervisor - Crest Chemicals (Pty) Ltd
05.2019 - 10.2020

Credit Management - 1 year

07-2018
Senior Credit Controller - Grohedawn Watertech (Lixil Africa)
04.2014 - 05.2019
Fairvale High |School - High School Diploma,
04.2001 -
Karen Ann De KlerkCredit Management