Job Description, Duties, Interview Questions and Salary For Credit Manager / Credit Controller

The role of a HotelA Hotel or Inn may be defined as an establishment whose primary business is providing lodging facili... CreditCredit is a decrease in an asset or an increase in a liability; or an amount of money the hotel owes... ManagerManager is a person in the hotel operations who is assigned to manage or supervise a group of employ.../Credit ControllerThe financial Controller�manager is in charge of all accounting functions of a hotel. Duties inclu... is to oversee the financial transactions of a hotel and ensure that all payments are made promptly. This job requires someone who is detail-oriented and has strong communication skills, as they will be responsible for managing relationships with clients and resolving any payment issues that arise.

Some key responsibilities of a Hotel Credit Manager/Credit Controller include managing accounts receivable, monitoring credit limits, reconciling accounts, and processing payments. They must also be able to analyze financial data and provide regular reports to management to ensure that the hotel’s finances are in order.

In addition to their financial responsibilities, Hotel Credit Managers/Credit Controllers must also be able to work effectively with other departments within the hotel, such as sales and marketingA system of interrelated activities formulated to plan; price; promote and make available the servic..., operations, and reservations. They should be able to provide excellent customer service and maintain positive relationships with clients.

Periodic credit reviews of existing customers, and the assessment of the creditworthiness of potential customers, with the goal of optimizing the mix of company sales and bad debt losses.

CREDIT MANAGER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage relations with collection agencies.
• Manage relations with credit reporting agencies.
• Manage relations with credit insurance providers.
• Manage relations with the sales department.
• Manage all account queries and disputes.
• Manage Accounts Receivable and ensure all debtors accounts are reconciled regularly.
• Daily review of Accounts Receivable ledger and monitor incoming payment.
• Responsible for AgeingAgeing in Kitchen - The process of allowing the natural tenderisation of meats over time in a contro... of Debtors and maintaining the same under control.
• Responsible for compiling all group billing.
• Focus on minimizing the AR outstanding balance.
• Responsible for maintaining the debtor’s ledger with regular review of the aged accounts. 
• Monitor the AR ledger on a daily basis, If any discrepancies found then corrective measures to be taken after co-ordinating with the PMS vendor.
• Ensuring prompt, accurate and efficient system for  billing of current and aged accounts.
• Review the AR Aging report on a daily basis.
• Review the GuestDefinition of Guest in Hospitality Industry: A guest is the most important person in any business. A... LedgerLedger is a book of accounts in which business transactions are entered after having been recorded i... High BalanceBalance is the amount of an account at a point in time. report daily and reporting discrepancies, ensuring check-in / check-out procedures are followed.
• Administer credit processes and policies for other departments in the hotel.
• Ensure the accuracy of all charges and credits to the various accounts and that they are properly posted on a timely basis.
• Ensure the timely credit collections of all outstanding payments.
• Follow up on all overdue accounts and send to debt collectors, as required.
• Monitor any unallocated payments from customers and apply the same with future bills.
• Monitor credit limits of all outstanding accounts.
• Check and verify that all open Paymaster accounts were justified and should comply with company’s policy and procedure.
• Ensure that all credit applications properly documented approved by the management and are based on hotel’s policy and procedure.{loadposition amp-mid}
• Perform an audit trail for all debtors account to ensure that proper documentation is in place and charges are accurate.
• Respond and resolve customer queries.
• Reconcile all unpaid and short paid aged accounts.
• Reserve for doubtful accounts is maintained in accordance with company policy and the bad debt reserve report is in agreement with the G/L.
• Assign AR number to the approved accounts.
• Assign credit limit to the approved accounts.
• Black list accounts which are defaulters.
• Ensure compliance on Payment Card Industry (PCI) policy.
• Scrutinising all accounts to ensure adherence to the credit policy;  includes pursuing and collecting delinquent accounts, providing status reports of uncollectable accounts and referring delinquent accounts to a collection agency.
• Collaborating with managers to ensure that all associated accounting requirements are adhered to in accordance with established procedures / time lines.
• Supervise Accounts Assistants regarding accurate and timely billing, processing of credit card inquiries and charge backs, billing of FITFIT means Free Independent Traveler or Free Independent Tourist. A FIT is an individual or family or... accounts, processing of advance deposits and advance deposit refunds.
• ScheduleA schedule is a report which gives supporting details to a property's financial statements. and precedes the monthly credit meetings.
• Properly motivate the credit and collections staff.
• Reviewing Credit/Accounts Receivable operation and recommending/implementing improvements.
• Work with the Finance Manager to build effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Other special duties as and when assigned by the Financial controller.

POSITION TITLE: Credit Manager / Credit Controller

REPORTS TO: Finance Manager / Financial Controller

PREREQUISITES:

A hardworking and honest individual with strong organisational skills with attention to detail. Ability to compile facts and figures. Command of the English language both written and verbal. Proficiency with MS Office (Excel / Word) and experience with PMS like Opera, Room master, Protel, Visual One, Delphi, Sun Finance, Oracle Finance, SAP etc.

EDUCATION:

High School Graduate or Master of commerce or BS in Accounting preferred. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business AdministrationAdministration is a management task. Attending to the details of executive affairs. or equivalent certification.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum 5 years experience in a similar role or supervisory experience in Credit and Collections, preferably in a high volume hospitality environment.

Interview Questions for a Hotel Credit Manager / Credit Controller Position:

1. Can you describe your experience in credit management, particularly within the hotel industry?
   • This question assesses the candidate’s relevant experience and familiarity with credit management practices in a hotel setting.
2. How do you assess the creditworthiness of potential clients or guests seeking credit facilities from the hotel?
   • Evaluates the candidate’s ability to analyze financial data and make informed decisions regarding credit approvals.
3. What strategies do you employ to ensure timely payment from clients while maintaining positive relationships?
   • Assess the candidate’s approach to credit control and their ability to balance financial considerations with customer relations.
4. Can you share an example of a challenging credit-related situation you’ve successfully handled in a hotel?
   • This behavioral question assesses the candidate’s problem-solving skills and practical experience.
5. How do you stay informed about changes in credit regulations and industry best practices to ensure compliance in your role?
   • Demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to staying current with industry trends and regulatory requirements.
6. Have you implemented any credit management software or tools in your previous roles, and how do they contribute to your daily tasks?
   • Knowledge of relevant software is important in this role. This question helps gauge the candidate’s technical proficiency.
7. How do you communicate credit policies and terms to clients, and how do you handle discussions regarding overdue payments?
   • This question evaluates the candidate’s communication skills and their ability to navigate potentially sensitive financial discussions.
8. What measures do you take to minimize the risk of bad debt in a hotel’s credit portfolio?
   • Assess the candidate’s risk management strategies and their proactive approach to avoiding bad debt.

Salary for a Hotel Credit Manager / Credit Controller Position:

The salary for a Hotel Credit Manager or Credit Controller can vary based on factors such as location, the size and prestige of the hotel, and the candidate’s level of experience. As of January 2024, the average salary for a Credit Manager in the United States ranged from $70,000 to $90,000 annually.

It’s important to note that salary ranges can change, and it’s advisable to research current salary trends using industry reports, salary surveys, and job boards specific to your region and the hospitality sector. Additionally, consulting with local HR professionals or recruitment agencies can provide insights into the current compensation landscape for Credit Manager positions in hotels.

Overall, the role of a Hotel Credit Manager/Credit Controller is critical to the success of a hotel, as they ensure that the hotel's financial operations run smoothly and that all payments are made on time. For those who are detail-oriented, analytical, and enjoy working with people, this can be a rewarding career in the hospitality industry.