Hitachi is one of the world’s largest companies and a name synonymous with product quality, reliability, innovation, design and technological leadership. As an organisation we are fast-moving and responsive to meeting changing product and customer needs.

For Hitachi ‘Inspire the Next’ isn’t just a slogan it’s a philosophy that will ensure the Company continues to flourish and grow.

Finance and Accounting (F&A) provides credit control, invoice and expense claim processing, treasury, financial analysis and fiscal reporting to ensure compliance to both the law throughout Europe and also Hitachi Europe's own Sarbanes Oxley compliant control environment.

F&A provides outsourced shared services to sister Hitachi companies throughout Europe and provides advice and guidance to all business groups on a daily basis.

The role

An 8-12 month Maternity Cover role, managing defined, but changeable, ledger of customer accounts within payment terms and credit limits.

Main tasks & responsibilities

• Operate within the published Credit Policy
• Ensure that customers pay within terms and remain within credit limits
• Operate dunning and calls process. Send letters and customer invoices as required
• Manage accounts to ensure cash is posted in a timely manner and that accounts are reconciled and orderly
• Maintain and run direct debit and other payment processes
• Communicate with customers and Sales where there is an issue and work with Sales to resolve it
• Communicate queries to internal departments and drive resolution to ensure payment is received. Log and track queries on Telequery system
• Carry out regular reviews with sales people and sales managers
• Release orders as required and as Policy permits
• Ensure that Sales receive regular and timely information on potential and current issues (overdues, queries, credit limit problems)
• Ensure that information is scanned, archived and filed appropriately
• Provide monthly cash forecasts and reporting as required
• Support the Risk Team on new applications and credit limit reviews
• Carry out tasks and projects as required by line management

Essential skills & experience

• Previous Credit Control Experience essential
• A consummate collector with good balance sheet and analysis skills
• Good negotiation and persuasion skills
• Numerate
• Computer literate (MS Office)

Desirable skills & experience

• Other European Languages are a distinct advantage, in particular French and Spanish.
• Experience of having used SAP

Qualification

A-level or equivalent and above

Person specification

This role requires a focused, goal-driven, positive and professional individual with excellent communication skills and telephone manner.