Senior credit controller and debt collection specialist
Level 3 · AdvancedLegal, finance and accounting 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Senior Credit Controller and Debt Collection Specialist manages the recovery of outstanding debts owed to a business, working across commercial or consumer debt portfolios and handling complex or high-value cases. Apprentices develop negotiation, legal, and analytical skills to recover money efficiently while maintaining customer relationships where possible. This level 3 qualification leads to credit manager, collections team leader, or specialist debt recovery roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Credit control processes, aged debt management, and cash flow impact
Relevant law - Consumer Credit Act, Limitation Act, and debt collection regulations
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills for debt recovery conversations
Using credit information and financial data to assess risk
Insolvency procedures and working with liquidators or trustees
Accurate record-keeping and reporting on debt portfolio performance
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Contact debtors by telephone, email, and letter to recover overdue balances
Negotiate payment plans and settlements with individuals and businesses
Investigate disputed invoices and liaise with internal teams to resolve them
Escalate cases to legal proceedings or external agencies when necessary
Maintain accurate records of all debtor contact and payment arrangements
Produce aged debt reports and collection performance analysis
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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