The AR Team Lead is responsible for leading the accounts-receivable function to secure cash, reduce credit risk and optimise working capital. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines credit management, collections, reconciliations and process ownership for the AR ledger and customer onboarding in NetSuite. The AR Team Lead will coach and manage the AR team, drive performance against KPIs and work closely with Sales, Legal and Treasury to protect revenue and reduce days outstanding.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the AR team; allocate work, set targets and conduct performance reviews.

• Own daily cash application, posting of receipts and clearing of customer accounts; ensure accuracy and timely processing in the ERP.

• Drive collections activities against the age analysis to reduce overdue balances while managing commercial relationships and not impeding sales.

• Manage credit risk: review credit applications, recommend credit limits, monitor exposures and initiate escalations (legal / CGIC) where required.

• Oversee customer onboarding checks and documentation in line with Rubicon requirements, POPIA and NCA/CPA compliance.

• Perform and own monthly reconciliations, ensure resolution of customer queries and present reconciled position to Finance on month-end.

• Produce timely and accurate AR reporting (cash receipts, ageing, DSO, disputed items) and provide commentary to Head of Finance.

• Liaise closely with Sales, Collections, Legal and Treasury on disputes, refunds, retention of title, payment plans and escalations.

• Maintain and improve AR processes and controls; lead NetSuite AR configuration/use improvements and automation where appropriate.

• Support month-end and year-end close activities and external audit requests related to AR.

KPIs / success measures

• Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and reduction trend.

• % of overdue debt collected within target periods.

• Accuracy of postings (reconciliations with zero or minimal reconciling items).

• Time to resolve customer queries / disputes.

• Timeliness of month-end AR reporting and audit readiness.

• Team performance and adherence to SLAs.

Experience, skills & qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ relevant AR / credit control experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or team-lead role.

• Strong knowledge of credit management, collections techniques and relevant legislation (NCA, CPA, POPIA).

• Proven experience with an ERP system (NetSuite experience highly preferred) and strong Excel skills.

• Relevant tertiary qualification (BCom Accounting / Finance or equivalent). Credit management or accounting certification advantageous.

• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills; strong commercial acumen.

• High attention to detail, organisational skills, and ability to work to deadlines.

Reporting lines & relationships

• Reports to: Head of Finance / Finance Manager (or Head of AR).

• Direct reports: AR administrators / controllers (size to be agreed).

• Key relationships: Sales, Legal, Treasury, Procurement, Customer Service, External Auditors, CGIC.

Authority

• Day-to-day operational authority for AR activities and collections strategy.

• Authority to recommend credit limits and escalations; payment terms changes subject to delegated approval. Exact delegated financial limits to be confirmed by the Group Finance Manager.