Full job descriptionAccounts Receivable Executive – French or German language skills Required
Location: Watford (Office Based)
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Start Date: ASAP
The Opportunity
A highly successful international business is looking to appoint an Accounts Receivable Executive to join its finance team based in Watford.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Accounts Receivable or Credit Control professional to take ownership of the sales ledger, manage customer relationships across the UK and Europe, and play a key role in maintaining healthy cash flow within a fast-paced commercial environment.
The role offers broad exposure across accounts receivable, credit control, customer account management, and cross-functional collaboration with sales, customer service, logistics, and finance teams.
Key Responsibilities
Accounts Receivable
*Maintain and manage the sales ledger, ensuring customer accounts remain accurate and up to date.
*Allocate incoming customer payments accurately and promptly.
*Monitor outstanding balances and proactively chase overdue invoices and debit notes.
*Reconcile customer accounts and investigate discrepancies.
*Prepare and distribute customer statements and aged debtor reports.
*Raise manual invoices and credit notes accurately and within required deadlines.
Credit Control
*Support the assessment of new customer credit applications and credit limit reviews.
*Monitor customer credit exposure and recommend appropriate actions where required.
*Build strong relationships with customers while managing payment terms effectively.
*Escalate overdue accounts in line with company procedures.
Customer & Sales Support
*Work closely with Sales and Operations teams to resolve invoice disputes, pricing queries, deductions, and debit notes.
*Investigate shortages, returns, and customer claims.
*Process approved credit notes accurately and efficiently.
*Maintain excellent customer relationships while ensuring collections targets are achieved.
*Support customer accounts across UK and European markets.
*Assist with multi-currency transactions, including GBP and EUR.
*Ensure compliance with VAT requirements and relevant financial procedures.
Reporting & Month-End
*Produce weekly and monthly aged debt reports.
*Monitor debtor days (DSO) and collection performance.
*Support month-end close activities relating to accounts receivable.
*Assist with cash flow forecasting through accurate collection schedules.
About You
The successful candidate will have:
*Previous experience within an Accounts Receivable, Sales Ledger, or Credit Control position.
*AAT qualified or studying towards ACCA/CIMA.
*Strong understanding of sales ledger management and credit control processes.
*Excellent reconciliation and analytical skills.
*High attention to detail and strong organisational abilities.
*Confident communication and relationship-building skills.
*Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Desirable Experience
*Experience within fashion, footwear, apparel, wholesale distribution, or FMCG sectors.
*Knowledge of UK VAT and European trading procedures.
*Experience dealing with major retail customers and wholesale accounts.
*Exposure to multi-currency transactions.
*Knowledge of ERP/accounting systems such as Sage 200, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, NetSuite, or Xero.
*German or French Language Skills Required