Interim credit management manager: taking over accounts receivable

A credit manager position becomes available overnight, and all collection stops. The credit management interim manager immediately takes over accounts receivable, secures collections and puts things in order before a permanent holder takes over.

Contents

• Accounts receivable at a standstill: an immediate

cash flow risk

• Why this position is particularly sensitive in an international

environment

• What a credit management

interim manager takes over in concrete terms

• Real life case: securing the recovery of an international

event group

• Why use an interim

management firm

• Frequently asked questions
• Conclusion
• Sources

Accounts receivable at a standstill: an immediate cash flow risk

A CFO recently told me that the position of credit manager is one of those whose importance is only measured when it is empty. As long as the collection is running, no one thinks about it.

The national observation gives weight to this remark. French companies were paying their suppliers 13.6 days late on average at the end of 2024, a figure that is deteriorating, according to the Banque de France’s Observatory of Payment Terms. A vacant position amplifies this risk.

The customer payment term, or DSO, now reaches 65 days on average for French SMEs and mid-caps, with peaks exceeding 70 days in times of tension. This is what Daf-Mag reveals. Without active management, this time deteriorates even faster, in a context where only 45% of French organizations pay their invoices on time.

 

Why this position is particularly sensitive in an international environment

In a group that operates with shared service centers abroad, accounts receivable is not limited to relaunching invoices. It articulates local teams and off-site teams, with different working habits.

In addition, there are often strict internal control requirements. Many international groups apply controls inspired by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). They impose enhanced traceability on the collection and accounting of receivables.

A change of ERP during the assignment further complicates the situation. The French market is already facing a shortage of accounting skills, with up to 30,000 positions to be filled in the profession by 2025-2026, according to Daf-Mag. Finding an available and experienced profile then becomes a real challenge.

 

What a credit management interim manager takes up in concrete terms

The immediate priority is to stop the bleeding on the oldest outstanding amounts. The interim manager draws up an inventory of the accounts receivable, identifies the receivables at risk and follows up with the backlog of files.

He then takes over the day-to-day management: monitoring of collections, management of disputes, relations with local teams and shared service centers abroad. This international coordination requires a real ability to adapt to time zones and work cultures.

Compliance with SOX controls occupies a special place. Each collection action must remain traceable and documented, which means knowing these standards as soon as they arrive on the job, without any learning period.

Finally, there is change management, when an ERP project is underway. The interim manager secures the continuity of accounts receivable during the changeover, so that no collection is lost in the migration.

 

Case study: securing the recovery of an international event group

An international professional events group saw its head of accounts receivable leave his position without an identified successor. The collection division found itself without a pilot, with teams divided between the local site and shared service centers abroad.

The organization had strict SOX controls in place over the entire collection process, and an overseas-driven ERP change was underway at the time of departure.

An interim manager took over full responsibility for the accounts receivable division. She stabilized the management of collections, maintained the compliance of internal controls and supported the deployment of the new ERP without interruption of service.

Receipts remained under control throughout the transition period, and the company was able to recruit a permanent incumbent with peace of mind, without putting pressure on its cash flow.

 

Why use an interim management firm

A vacant credit manager position does not leave time for traditional recruitment. You need an operational profile from day one, capable of understanding an international context and compliance controls already in place in a few days.

WAYDEN relies on a pool of 8,000 qualified executives to present candidates within 48 to 72 hours, with profiles of 15 to 25 years of experience in finance. The deployment is completed in less than a week, and each mission remains monitored by an associate director.

This speed directly protects the company’s cash flow. Our interim CFO department regularly covers this type of mission. It relies on our expertise in SOX compliance and financial information systems projects.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a credit management transition assignment last?

The duration depends on the time required to stabilize the recovery and recruit a permanent incumbent, but this type of assignment usually lasts several months.

Does the interim manager need to be aware of SOX controls?

Yes, in an international environment subject to these standards. Mastering SOX controls from the moment you start work is essential to guarantee continuity of compliance.

Can you bring in an interim manager in the middle of an ERP migration?

Yes, it is even a frequent configuration. The interim manager secures the accounts receivable during the changeover, to avoid any loss of information on collections.

How do you know if the company needs a transition reinforcement on accounts receivable?

When a key position becomes available without an identified successor, or when the customer payment term deteriorates. Another signal: a planned changeover, ERP or service provider, which threatens the continuity of collection.

Sources

• Banque de France, “Plenary meeting of the Observatory of Payment Deadlines of 15 April 2025”, published on 16 April 2025: average supplier payment delay of 13.6 days at the end of 2024, deteriorating compared to Europe.

• Daf-Mag, “The DSO of French SMEs and mid-caps climbs to 65 days”, published on May 7, 2026: average customer payment term of 65 days, peaks of more than 70 days in times of tension.

• Himilco, “Barometer of unpaid bills in France 2026”, updated in June 2026: only 45.2% of French organizations paid by the hour, nearly 70,000 company insolvencies in 2025.

• Daf-Mag, “DAF 2026 Benchmarks: AI and accounting automation solutions”, published on 30 March 2026: up to 30,000 positions to be filled in the accounting profession in France by 2025-2026.