Accounts Receivable & Collections Lead

Scope: Finance Reporting to: Head of Finance Person Profile

The Accounts Receivable & Collections Lead is an experienced, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven finance professional responsible for leading the school's accounts receivable and collections function. The post holder ensures accurate and timely billing, collection, allocation, and reconciliation of receivables, with particular responsibility for student and parent accounts, ageing control, follow-up, and resolution of outstanding balances. Working closely with the Senior Accountant, Head of Finance, Admissions, HR, and other relevant departments, the role supports accurate financial reporting, month-end processes, and continuous improvement of receivables processes while maintaining high standards of integrity, accuracy, and compliance with ISL Qatar's policies and values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of accounting experience, including at least 3 years of hands-on accounts receivable, billing, collections, and account reconciliation experience within a school environment.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles.
• Proven experience with accounting and ERP systems (e.g. QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools
• Experience within an international school environment and familiarity with IB, ACSI, or NAIS accreditation frameworks is an advantage.

Knowledge and Skills

• • be aligned with the ISL Qatar values of diversity, passion, identity, and understanding
  • have a thorough understanding of financial accounting principles and the ability to apply them in an international school context
  • have the ability to develop and work within teams, maintaining effective relationships across all levels of the school administration, departments, and employees
  • have an excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic.
  • be proficient in the effective use of financial systems and able to support process and system improvements.
  • demonstrate sound knowledge of receivables controls, financial policies, data confidentiality, and relevant Qatar financial, tax, and Ministry of Education requirements, with the ability to prepare and provide accurate information to support internal and external audit requirements.
  • maintain absolute discretion when handling confidential financial, student, parent, and employee information.
  • have the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and fulfil responsibilities within agreed timelines
  • have the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide financial expertise and support the school's decision-making processes

Key Responsibilities

He/She will be responsible for:

Financial Operations & Accounting

• Owns the full accounts receivable cycle, including billing, receipt allocation, collections, ageing follow-up and escalation, account reconciliation, and resolution of outstanding balances.
• Ensures accurate and timely recording of financial transactions within assigned scope
• Reconciles parent and customer accounts, receipts, deposits, payment gateways, and accounts receivable control accounts, and provides accurate supporting schedules to the Senior Accountant for month-end reporting.
• Manages approved payment plans, credit notes, and refunds, ensuring appropriate documentation and authorisation.
• Maintains regular communication with parents on account balances, statements, overdue payments, and agreed payment arrangements.
• Manages tuition billing, invoicing, and collections in line with school policies
• Ensures receipts are accurately allocated and follows up on unidentified or unmatched payments.
• Coordinates receivables related to events and activities, including student and parent charges, deposits, and activity fee collections, ensuring accurate billing, allocation, and follow-up.

Financial Reporting

• Prepares AR reports on ageing, collections, overdue balances, doubtful debts, proposed write-offs, and reconciliations for review by the Senior Accountant and Head of Finance.
• Supports audit requirements by preparing accurate receivables documentation.
• Ensures discounts, financial aid, and concessions are accurately recorded on student accounts.

Team Collaboration & Cross-Departmental Support

• Acts as a key Finance contact for Admissions, HR, and relevant school teams, supporting queries related to student accounts, receivables, collections, and payroll information, and providing accurate factual clarification within the scope of the role.
• Provides guidance to staff on receivables processes and procedures.
• Undertakes additional responsibilities as assigned by the Head of Finance

Children Safeguarding and Welfare

ISL Qatar is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, with zero tolerance for any breaches of safeguarding standards. All applicants/new staff must undergo child protection screening, including employment references, prohibition from teaching checks, and a criminal records check (DBS or an equivalent certificate from the applicant's country of residence).

All staff are required to actively support the school's child protection and safeguarding commitments by complying with relevant policies, promoting student welfare, and promptly reporting concerns to Designated Safeguarding Lead(s).

Additional Information

Education is an ever-changing field, and all staff are expected to participate positively in schools' activities and to adopt a flexible approach to their work.

It is understood that areas of responsibility of the job description are not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post or an exhaustive list of all duties performed. The main duties and responsibilities are indicated above. Other duties of an appropriate level and nature may also be required, as directed by the Line Manager.