NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY – HOW TO MANAGE

So, You Want to Be a Credit Manager? Here's What You Need to Know

So, You Want to Be a Credit Manager? Here's What You Need to KnowCredit Management isn’t just about chasing payments — it’s about protecting the lifeblood of a business: cashflow. To help future finance leaders get a real feel for what it’s like to step into a Credit Manager role (and thrive!), we asked current Credit Manager, Philip Holborough to share their honest thoughts in our Voices of Transactional Finance Leaders Series. In this article, Philip talks about everything from the challenges he’s faced along the way, to the skills and attitudes that really make a difference. He also gives a glimpse into how the role is changing, what impact technology like AI might have, and why having a "bulldog attitude" could actually be one of your biggest assets. Whether you're just starting out or aiming for the next step in your career, their advice is packed with real-world lessons you won’t want to miss.What do you think future leaders should prioritise or focus on most in order to successfully make themselves appointable as a Credit Manager?Debtor payment trends. Regardless of industry the key to successful Credit Managers is analysis of payment performance – this is often the biggest tell-tale sign of potential payment issues in the future.What are both the best and the most challenging aspects of being the Credit Manager of a fast-paced business? Blending Credit with Sales. Often the two don’t mix well – but open, frank and honest conversations where clarity of objectives is understood on both sides will help in a very challenging environment.What are your opinions about the relationship between a Credit Manager and the FC/CFO and CEO? What is critically important in building a successful partnership and providing the right support to the FC/CEO/CFO? A good CFO will recognise the importance of a Credit Manager – not always the case with CEO as they are often more strategic and commercial in their approach and less likely to be open to credit conversations over sales performance.What new key skills or attributes do you think the next generation of Credit Managers are going to need to develop? Tenacity. Both internally and externally. “The squeaky wheel gets the oil!” Don’t be afraid to offer opinions based on gut instinct and past experience. You will earn the respect of the business very quickly if you are able to nail your colours to the mast! Are new technologies like Artificial Intelligence having much of an impact on your role as Credit Manager yet? What impact do you think they will have over the next few years? AI frightens me – but I recognise the importance of some labour-saving aspects. A computer will never get someone to pay a bill – only a human voice can do that.Is it possible to maintain a reasonable work life balance at Credit Manager Level or do you have to accept that there will be personal sacrifices in order to progress to that level?Clear boundaries are very important. CM can be a stressful occupation – you must be able to separate these to ensure no burn out!Away from core credit knowledge, what personality traits have been critical to your success as a Credit Manager? Are these natural or have you worked on developing them?The willingness to not let go! Bull dog attitude – obviously with respect to the customer and the wider business. Don’t give up.What is the one single best piece of advice you were given early in your career that still holds true today? “Show me the money!” Cashflow is critical to any business large or small – the Credit manager is the custodian of this process.If there’s one thing Philip’s advice makes clear, it’s that being a great Credit Manager is about a lot more than just ticking boxes. It’s about sharp instincts, real tenacity, clear communication, and a relentless focus on cashflow — all while building strong relationships across the business. The role might change over time, especially as new technologies come into play, but the core principles stay the same: know your numbers, trust your gut, speak up when it matters, and never lose sight of the bigger picture. For anyone thinking about a career in Credit Management (or already on the way), these lessons are pure gold. Take them on board, keep learning, and remember — the best Credit Managers aren’t just protecting the cash, they’re helping to drive the whole business forward. Looking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAY and let's chart your career path together.

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Today (Wednesday 3 November 2021) is National Stress Awareness Day. Set up by the International Stress Management Association, National Stress Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of the effects of psychological distress in the workplace and strategies to address it.

It is important to recognise the signs of workplace stress; if left unaddressed, workplace stress can have a huge impact on both employees and employers, and it is vital that steps are taken. Understanding the cause – which may stem from work or possibly something occurring outside the workplace – is essential.

It can be difficult to recognise when you or someone you work with is feeling stressed; the signs can manifest themselves is different ways however commonly, a person may be irritable, unmotivated, become unproductive and seemingly unable to manage tasks or communicate effectively with their colleagues or interacting differently with their friends and family away from work.

Try to understand what triggers the feelings of being overwhelmed – is your workload too heavy, are you trying to manage a difficult team member, do you have a poor relationship with your manager, do you feel that the culture of the company is not a good fit for you? Once you understand the triggers, you can look to adopt tactics and strategies to try and manage the situation.

Here are our tips and suggestions to dealing with stress in the workplace:

Speak up: Arrange a time to speak with your line manager if you are finding that your workload is unmanageable. If it is a particularly busy period at work, look at which tasks need to be prioritised and if there are any areas of your work that can be handled by a colleague whilst you deal with the most pressing matters. If it is an on-going issue, revisit your job description and highlight key areas which may have become more challenging and have suggestions to put forward on how these can be better resourced or solutions to address the issues that have arisen.

It's OK to say no: You may be keen to show that you are a willing and capable employee and a good team member, but that doesn’t mean that you should always say yes to every request that is asked of you. If it is not feasible for you to take on additional tasks or meet the deadlines put forward, be honest and outline the reasons why and offer a time-frame when you would be able to look at the request.

Take a step back: Take time out to speak to friends, family or a colleague about the way that you are feeling and try to put things in perspective. Often talking through a situation can help you filter out which parts are the most important and allow you to focus your attention more clearly.

Take regular breaks: During the working day, make sure you are taking regular breaks away from your desk to refresh your mind. It is important to take a proper break at lunchtime and eat a healthy, nutritious meal that will set you up for the afternoon. Also make time to get outside and take in some fresh air. It is important to schedule in regular holidays and ensure that you use your time outside of work to relax and look after yourself.

Consider making a change: Is it time to look for an alternative role? If the things that are making you stressed cannot be addressed, then it might be time to think about whether a different role or organisation may be a better fit for you. Stress can be damaging to a person’s confidence, so it is vital that any move is considered very carefully to ensure the opportunities available and culture of your potential new company is right. Work closely with a specialist recruitment consultant who will be able to give you great advice on which roles are available and insight into which companies will be a good fit.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultant’s recruit for temporary, interim and permanent roles across the full spectrum of positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today and speak to a member of our team about your next career move.

NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY – HOW TO MANAGE STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE

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