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 -
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
MS office
Administrative support
Problem-solving
Recordkeeping and file management
Office management
Documentation and reporting
Decision-making
Team collaboration
Supplies ordering
Employee supervision
Team building and leadership
Work Planning and Prioritization
Deadline adherence
Bookkeeping
Resourceful and analytical
Payroll administration
Problem-solving abilities
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 -