Credit Controller (Temporary Contract)

At Kinly and Optima Care, we believe exceptional care begins with exceptional people. At Kinly Care we provide specialist dementia, nursing, complex, and respite care services, delivering compassionate, high-quality support to every person we care for. At Optima Care we provide safe, person‑centred, high‑quality homes for people with mental health needs and/or learning disabilities.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do:

• Kindness defines us
• Dignity and respect, always
• Personalised, person-centred care
• One team, one purpose
• Integrity in everything we do

We are looking for an experienced and proactive Credit Controller who takes pride in delivering results, building strong relationships, and resolving complex debt and funding queries. This will be on a 6 month fixed term contract.

Working closely with the Financial Controller, you will take ownership of outstanding debt, strengthen collection processes, and build sustainable procedures to ensure effective debt management moving forward. This role will involve working with Local Authorities, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), private payers, families, and operational teams across the business.

If you have a proven track record in credit control and enjoy improving processes while supporting positive cash flow, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

Debtor Backlog and Collections

• Take ownership of the debtor backlog, reviewing overdue balances and prioritising the oldest and highest-value accounts.
• Agree a clear collection plan and targets with the Financial Controller.
• Proactively chase outstanding balances from Local Authorities, ICBs, and private payers via telephone, email, and written correspondence.
• Negotiate and monitor payment plans with private payers and families where appropriate.
• Prepare cases for escalation and debt recovery in line with company procedures.

Local Authority and ICB Funding

• Resolve unpaid, underpaid, and disputed invoices with Local Authorities and ICBs.
• Follow up outstanding placement agreements, purchase orders, and funding confirmations to enable timely invoicing and payment.
• Monitor Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding decisions, fee uplifts, and backdated rate changes, ensuring all recoverable income is invoiced and collected.
• Manage Funded Nursing Care (FNC) contributions, client contributions, and third-party top-up arrangements.
• Use Local Authority and NHS portals to submit invoices, track payments, and resolve queries.
• Reconcile remittances against invoices and investigate discrepancies.

Sales Ledger Management

• Ensure invoices are issued accurately and promptly, working closely with care home managers regarding admissions, discharges, occupancy, and resident funding arrangements.
• Allocate cash receipts accurately within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Reconcile sales ledger balances and resolve unallocated cash, credit balances, and aged items.
• Process credit notes and adjustments in accordance with approval procedures.

Reporting

• Produce weekly aged debt reports outlining key outstanding balances, collection activity, and anticipated receipts.
• Support weekly cashflow forecasting by providing expected receipts information.
• Report regularly to the Financial Controller on progress against collection targets and debt reduction objectives.

Process Improvement and Handover

• Review existing credit control processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work collaboratively with operational teams and care home managers to improve the quality and timeliness of information received.
• Document procedures and create clear handover materials to support continuity at the end of the contract.

Education, Training & Qualifications

• AAT or a credit management qualification (CICM) is desirable but not essential.

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven credit control experience in the care sector, ideally with residential and nursing care homes.
• Strong understanding of how local authorities and ICBs fund and pay for care placements, including CHC, FNC, and third party top ups.
• Track record of clearing large debtor backlogs and resolving complex funding disputes.
• Experience of using local authority and NHS payment portals.
• Experience of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or another Microsoft Dynamics product (desirable).

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent credit control and debt collection skills with a proven ability to secure timely payments.
• Confident and professional telephone manner with strong negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong reconciliation and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Competent user of Microsoft Excel, including reconciliations, reporting and data analysis.
• Ability to manage a high-volume workload, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines.
• Able to build positive working relationships with Local Authorities, ICBs, care home managers, residents and their families.
• Ability to handle sensitive financial discussions with empathy and professionalism.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Personal Qualities

• Tenacious, resilient and results-focused.
• Highly organised with a methodical approach to work.
• Professional, confidential and discreet in handling sensitive information.
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Collaborative team player with a positive and flexible attitude.
• Committed to delivering excellent internal and external customer service.
• Proactive in identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Able to quickly understand existing systems and processes and make an immediate impact.

As part of our team, you will benefit from:

• Colleague recognition schemes, including Stars of the Quarter, birthday celebrations, and long-service awards
• Colleague events and opportunities to connect with your team, including BBQs and social activities
• Ongoing training and development opportunities to support your career progression
• Blue Light Card reimbursement
• IT equipment provided to support you in your role
• Reimbursement of approved work expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Access to an early wage access scheme (further information provided during onboarding)
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured

Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension

Language:

• English (required)

Work Location: In person