Debt Controller

Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for pupils and students from nursery to further education. We operate across academies and college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operates learning support services, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business support team which includes HR, finance and IT.
Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. speech, language and communication difficulties; profound and multiple learning disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health conditions.

We are looking for a Debt Controller to join our central finance team. In this role, you will be responsible for managing and recovering outstanding debts, working closely with Local Authorities on funding arrangements and pupil-related income such as EHCP support, alternative provision, top-up funding, as well as other income streams including lettings and farm activities. The ideal candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented, and confident in building strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure timely collections, maintain accurate records, and support the Trust’s overall financial stability and compliance.

Debt Management and Income Collection - Proactively manage the Trust-wide debtor ledger, implement consistent credit control processes, maintain accurate records, and escalate high-risk or persistent debts with recommended actions.
• Local Authority Liaison - Serve as the main contact for Local Authority finance and SEND teams, monitor expected funding streams (EHCP top-ups, alternative provision, grants, SLAs), and reconcile allocations against pupil-level data.
• Invoicing and Reconciliations - Ensure accurate, timely invoicing, reconcile aged debt reports, and investigate and resolve discrepancies with internal and external stakeholders.
• Reporting and Compliance - Produce regular reports on debtor balances, collection performance, and aged debt trends; ensure all debt recovery activities comply with Financial Regulations, GDPR, and accounting standards.
• Internal Collaboration and Process Improvement - Work closely with academy and central finance teams to support reconciliations, cashflow, audits, and guidance on income processes, contributing to system and process improvements.

Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial processes, including invoicing, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with Local Authorities, school staff, and internal teams.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail, able to manage multiple accounts, monitor aged debt, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Willingness to travel to academies and Local Authority offices on occasion if required.

Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.