1. Expert Advice on how to improve your
Credit Control
CCI Legal Services Ltd
2. Initial contact – Taking and Receiving a New Order
Purchase Orders
Courtesy ServiceTelephone Call
Invoices and Statements
The Reminder Letter
Telephone Call
Debt Collection
Presentation Content
3. Your PaymentTerms
As well as discussing with all new clients, talk with your
suppliers
You should also include your right to make a LATE
PAYMENT and INTEREST charges
Ask to sign and date your terms
CREDIT CHECK
Are you dealing with a Sole Trader or Partnership.
DO NOT BE AFRAIDTO PUSH FOR ALLTHE
INFORMATIONYOU NEED – IFYOU DON’T GET IT AT
THE START IT IS HARDER AT A LATER STAGE.
Write a CREDIT POLICY – That you and all your
employees should follow. With No exceptions
New Order
4. Does the value shown agree to that of your quote.
Does the description of goods or service agree to your quote
Is there any small print showing their payment terms differing from
yours
Does it come from the same customer name, or is it from another
entity
DO NOT ACCEPT IT IF ANY OF THE ABOVE DO NOT AGREE – GET IT
CHANGED !
Purchase Orders
5. Call to inquire about the level of satisfaction
Call the Accounts Department “If Different”
Highly Professional
Customer Service “Important From Beginning to End”
Courtesy CustomerTelephone Calls
6. Clear and Concise Layout.
Customer Order Number.
Date, Reference and Total.
Good Layout for the Description of Goods.
Method of Despatch.
Bank Details.
Clearly show your Payment Terms.
Include your Right to make Late Payment and Interest Charges.
ALWAYS INVOICETHROUGHOUTTHE MONTH NOT JUST AT THE END
OR THE BEGINNING BECAUSETHIS WILL IMPACT HEAVILY ONYOUR
CASH FLOW.
Invoicing
7. Eye – Catching Appearance ( Colour and Layout )
Highlight Overdue Items dramatically
Print variable messages about Overdue items
Encourage your clients to send back your Statement, or have a tear off
part of it, with the payment to make matching easier
Statements
8. Address to a named individual, Otherwise Job Title
Sign It Personally
Show a job title with Authority
Show a Phone Extension
Keep words simple and direct
Never more than one page in length
Amount Due – Prominence at the top of the letter
Only one Final Letter/Demand
ALWAYS DO WHATYOU SAY, WHENYOU SAYYOU WILL
Reminder Letters
9. Preparation.
Control the conversation.
Always confirm the Method of Payment promised.
Always read back the main points making sure you have taken the
information correctly.
Make a Diary Note to follow up. Keep this with a record of all collection
activity, it will be vital later.
Has the Customer confirmed Receipt of the invoice? (See Courtesy
Call).
Collecting ByTelephone
10. Always consider outside help to collect difficult debts before they
become statute barred or write offs.
What is the growing cost of you chasing these debts. I.E. Lost time,
Lost Sales, Lost Revenue, Bad Client Relations, Bank Charges, Interest
Etc.
In Experience of Bookkeepers – (Not Credit Controllers) Someone
good on the phone, you Personally.
Independent Collection Agencies are without a doubt the most
accessible and Economically effectiveThird Party Collection
Assistance Available.
Using a Debt Recovery Agency as a proactive response to book debts
makes SOUND COMMERCIAL SENSE. This not only assists in
improving cash flow, but also in keeping valued customers and them
less likely to default in the future !
Debt Collection
Third Party Collections
11. Huw Williams Business Development Manager at
CCI Legal Services says
“This presentation is a great way for companies
to fast track your Credit Control Function into a
most profitable process and to safeguard your
business against unpaid invoices, for a free copy
of the notes that go with the presentation please
email me at huw.williams@ccilegal.co.uk”
CCI LEGAL SERVICES