Collection Officer - Arabic Speaking Required

Job TitleCollection OfficerDepartmentFinance DepartmentReports ToFinance Manager Job PurposeThe Collection Officer is responsible for following up with customers to ensure timely collection of outstanding receivables, reducing overdue balances, resolving payment-related issues, and maintaining accurate collection records. The role requires regular communication with customers, sales teams, account managers, and the finance department to improve cash flow and minimize credit risk.Key Responsibilities1. Customer Collection Follow-UpFollow up daily with customers regarding outstanding invoices and overdue balances.Contact customers through telephone calls, emails, WhatsApp messages, and physical visits when required.Obtain clear payment commitments and expected payment dates from customers.Follow up on promised payment dates until the amount is fully collected.Prioritize critical, high-value, and long-overdue accounts.2. Collection PlanningPrepare a daily and weekly collection schedule.Arrange customer visits for urgent and critical collection cases.Develop action plans for accounts with long-outstanding balances.Achieve the monthly collection targets assigned by management.Maintain an updated list of expected collections and payment commitments.3. Accounts Receivable MonitoringReview customer statements, invoices, credit notes, receipts, and outstanding balances.Reconcile customer accounts with the finance team.Identify unidentified payments, short payments, deductions, and disputed amounts.Ensure collected payments are correctly allocated against the relevant invoices.Report any differences or reconciliation issues immediately.4. Customer Account ReconciliationSend account statements to customers regularly.Coordinate with customers to confirm their balances.Investigate discrepancies between customer records and company records.Collect signed balance confirmations when required.Ensure all pending credit notes, returns, discounts, and claims are properly documented.5. Dispute ResolutionIdentify the reason for delayed payments.Coordinate with sales, logistics, customer service, warehouse, and finance teams to resolve customer disputes.Follow up on pending invoices, delivery documents, purchase orders, returned goods, credit notes, or pricing differences.Escalate unresolved disputes to the Finance Manager and concerned department.Ensure disputes are resolved within the agreed timeline.6. Documentation and Record KeepingMaintain accurate records of all collection calls, emails, visits, commitments, and payment updates.Update collection notes and expected payment dates in the ERP or collection system.Collect and file payment receipts, cheques, transfer confirmations, and balance confirmations.Ensure all collection documents are properly organized and available for audit.Maintain customer contact information and account details.7. ReportingPrepare and submit the following reports:Daily collection activity report.Daily customer visit schedule.Weekly expected collection report.Customer payment commitment report.Overdue aging report.Critical customer balance report.Collection target versus actual report.Disputed invoice report.Returned cheque report.Unidentified payment report.QualificationsBachelor’s degree or diploma in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in collections, accounts receivable, credit control, or customer account management.Previous UAE experience is preferred.Knowledge of UAE customer collection practices is an advantage.Valid UAE driving licence.Required SkillsStrong communication and negotiation skills.Ability to handle difficult customers professionally.Strong follow-up and problem-solving skills.Good knowledge of accounts receivable and customer reconciliation.Ability to prepare and analyze aging reports.Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel.Experience using ERP or accounting systems.Ability to work under pressure and meet collection targets.High level of accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality.Good written and spoken English; Arabic is an advantage.