Deputy Credit Controller at St. Lukes Orthopaedics & Trauma Hospital

Job Purpose

• The overall job purpose is to manage credit through debt collection activities and negotiation of repayment plans with clients in line with the credit control policy and Hospital objectives.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Participate in the development and ensure implementation of robust admission and discharge transfer procedures in line with the credit control policy;
• Negotiate repayments plans with clients, ensure debtors’ accounts management, and monitor repayments patterns in order to put in place remedial actions to ensure optimal debt settlement;
• Prepare and submit periodic cash flow budgets to the Credit Controller;
• Supervise day-to-day credit control activities in the department to ensure optimal debt collection;
• Ensure debtors’ balances and accounts are reconciled and address reconciling items thereof;
• Respond to client’s inquiries regarding their accounts and resolve any disputes;
• Advise the management on any customer accounts requiring a change of policy, trading terms, or special attention;
• Receive and process patient discharge summary to make sure all billing information is captured,
• prepare a checklist (if credit) for an insurance company for approval, if cash patient ensures the bill is cleared;
• Handle disputed bills with the clients and negotiate the repayments for the disputed bills for optimal debt settlement;
• Evaluate new credit requests and conduct client credit checks;
• Handle discharges – negotiate and lock down a commitment on the payments where the patient is not able to pay their bill in full during discharge; and
• Any other responsibility assigned to the jobholder by the supervisor from time to time.

Working relationships 

Internal Relationships: Procurement, Billing, Credit Control, Maintenance,
External Relationships: External Consultants, Suppliers, Other Hospitals, Auditors, and Regulatory Bodies

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications required

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Economics, Finance, or other business-related fields from a recognized institution.
• Must be a qualified accountant with relevant professional qualifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) or ACCA.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in credit management/credit control

Competencies
Technical & Behavioural competencies

• Excellent understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Excellent grasp of Financial and Management Accounting; Taxation and relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Preparation of Financial Statements.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and regulations related to the healthcare sector.
• Sound knowledge of the macroeconomic and microeconomic environment.
• Working knowledge of financial information management systems
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior-level leaders regarding key business priorities, issues, and initiatives.
• Communication skills including presentation and facilitation skills
• Analytical skills
• Integrity
• Problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work under pressure
• Accountability

Responsibility for finances and physical assets

• The job holder has no accountability for equipment stock or finances.

Decision-making

• The jobholder’s decision-making authority is within existing guidelines and provides recommendations to facilitate final decisions

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Economics, Finance or other business related fields from a recognized institution.
• Must be a qualified accountant with relevant professional qualifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) or ACCA.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in credit management/credit control