Baljinder BIRK

Experience

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  Benefits Agency

  Nov 2000 - Apr 2001

  Administrative Assistant

  • Inputting data in various computer systems • Receiving information from the public and cross-referencing with previous cases and referrals to identify possible fraud • Standing in for and taking responsibilities of senior staff• Dealing with the public in person, via phone and letters • Supplying investigators with backup documentation and information

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  Controlaccount plc

  Apr 2001 - Jul 2003

  Credit Account Manager

  • Collection of outstanding accounts for numerous clients • Managing over 1200 accounts with a value of approximately £8 million• Main point of contact for over 20 key clients including large London-based Hospitals, Country-wide Universities and Blue Chip organisations• Liaising with my clients to provide management information and ensure client satisfaction • Making a high volume of calls, in a professional manner to negotiation swift and amicable debt recovery• Carefully crafted emails and letters to accentuate collections• Highly proficient in the use of internet tracing tools and searching company data • Specialising in the tracing and collection of overseas accounts• Responsible for collecting accounts based in both the UK and Overseas• Hitting targets set out by clients and the company Visa mindre

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  Financial Trace and Collection

  Jul 2003 - Feb 2004

  Credit Account Manager

  • Collection of outstanding accounts for numerous clients• Managing 1000 accounts with a value of over £3 million• Making a high volume of calls, in a professional manner to negotiation swift and amicable debt recovery• Carefully crafted emails and letters to accentuate collections• Highly proficient in the use of internet tracing tools and searching company data • Hitting targets set out by clients and the company• Responsible for collecting accounts based in both the UK and Overseas Visa mindre

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  Richmond Council

  Feb 2004 - Sept 2017

  SAP Control Officer

  • Recovery of internal, external, miscellaneous and periodic debt • Implementing and constantly reviewing the collection processes • Ensure prompt despatch of all invoices and reminders to ensure high collection results • Creating invoices, credit notes and statements• Dealing with queries over the phone, letter, email and in person• Liaising with relevant organizations and staff to resolve complex accounts problems • Reconciling accounts, refunding customers for over payments• Issuing County Court Claims and enforcing Judgements• Representing the Council in Court when required • Allocating work to members of staff under my supervision • Liaising with trace agents and processing agents• Setting up new accounts & contracts • Supplying financial reports to sections and budget holders• Ensuring that internal and external audit requirements are maintained by staff using the Council financial systems• Provide Council wide training on all elements of the Councils financial systems, from ad hoc individual queries to organised group sessions • Provide financial and IT advice to all users of the Council financial systems • Liaising with the Councils IT provider to solve system issues in timely manner • Implementing debt recovery processes and procedures within other sections • Working with Council IT providers to develop and enhance the existing financial system Visa mindre

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  Westminster City Council

  Sept 2017 - now

  Debt Manager

  • Tasked with the timely collection of sundry and adult social care debt, approx. £121m per year, comprising of approx. 1700 items. • Producing monthly debt reports and statistical data for service leads, Finance Managers, Directors and Councillors. • Liaising with service leads and Finance Managers for timely billing throughout the year.• Monthly meeting with IBC discussing their debt recovery progress and encouraging the team to focus on continuous improvements by analysing statistical data. • Monthly continuous improvement sessions with the Finance Manager, to focus on ways to reduce overall debt, improve billing, and address any problem areas and seek enhancements. Inclusive of non-sundry debt, with external business partners.• Managing the external debt recovery agents to assess referrals, collection rates, progress, and the best course for next action.• Liaising with our business partners at the IBC on debt queries, system maintenance, system enhancements and solutions. • Provide council-wide education on debt recovery and available options. • Empower staff and colleagues to make informed decisions on debt recovery actions through intelligence and information gathered. • Provide council-wide training on all aspects of SAP Accounts Receivable and debt recovery. • Maintenance of the accounts receivable functions within SAP, identifying problems, causes and providing solutions. • Ensuring full dunning is carried out for all debts, including adult social care which I have now made fully automated. • Analysing data, information and identify quarterly write off. • Keep abreast of all new collection techniques, tools and options available making the council more efficient and robust with our overall debt position. • Analysing current and historical data identifying our debt recovery progress, and areas which we can enhance to achieve the best possible outcomes. • Ensuring compliance with Audit requirements and Council policies. Visa mindre