Credit Policies

1. 16960 version 3
30-Jun-05
1 of 4
CREDIT MANAGEMENT
Manage credit policies and procedures
level: 5
credit: 10
final date for comment: June 2009
expiry date: December 2010
sub-field: Financial Management
purpose: This unit standard is for people involved or who are intending
to be involved in the management of credit. People credited
with this unit standard are able to: develop a credit policy;
implement and manage credit policies; and assess the
effectiveness of, and review, credit policies.
entry information: Open.
accreditation option: Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
moderation option: A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by Forest Industries Training on
behalf of the Credit Management and Control Advisory
Group.
special notes: 1 Legislation applicable to this unit standard includes the
Personal Properties Security Act 1999, Credit Contracts
and Consumer Finance Act 2003, Companies Act 1993,
Privacy Act 1993, Human Rights Act 1993, Credit
(Repossession) Act 1997, and their subsequent
amendments, and Romalpa clauses.
2 Credit policies include documented practices, policies,
and procedures pertaining to credit.
3 Quality Management System refers to the procedure for
establishing, maintaining, and reviewing policies and
procedures in the organisation.
4 Romalpa clause includes any terms of trade statement
that refers to retention of title made and agreed to by
both parties before delivery of goods.
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2005

2. 16960 version 3
30-Jun-05
2 of 4
CREDIT MANAGEMENT
Manage credit policies and procedures
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Develop credit policy.
performance criteria
1.1 The credit policy is developed in accordance with the quality management
system.
1.2 The balancing of risk against benefits is reflected in the development of credit
policy.
1.3 Minimum acceptable criteria for the granting of credit are developed and
documented in credit policy.
1.4 Relevant legislative requirements are met in the development of credit policy.
1.5 The reduction of risk to a minimum is reflected in the development of credit
policy.
Range: cash, progressive billing, securities and guarantees, factoring,
credit insurance, payment inducements, Romalpa clauses.
1.6 Recovery, repossession, and write-off procedures for overdue accounts are
clearly documented in the development of credit policy.
1.7 Levels of authority and roles in the granting or stopping of credit are clearly
described in the development of credit policy.
1.8 Credit policies are signed off as consistent with the strategic direction and
values of the organisation in accordance within the quality management system.
element 2
Implement and manage credit policies.
performance criteria
2.1 Credit policies are documented and communicated to all staff in accordance
with the quality management system.
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2005

3. 16960 version 3
30-Jun-05
3 of 4
CREDIT MANAGEMENT
Manage credit policies and procedures
2.2 Credit policies are applied fairly and consistently across all levels of the
organisation.
2.3 Application of the credit policy is monitored and non-compliance noted.
Range: includes but is not limited to – granting of credit, credit limits, stop
credit, collection of overdue accounts, repossession of goods,
write-offs.
2.4 Procedures for the storage, retrieval, and use of credit information are
consistent with credit policies and legislative requirements.
2.5 Implementation and management of the credit policies are in accordance with
the quality management system.
element 3
Assess the effectiveness of, and review, credit policies.
performance criteria
3.1 Credit policies of the organisation are reviewed on a continuing basis and
changes are recommended in accordance with the quality management system.
Range: includes but is not limited to – the economic climate, the
organisation’s strategic direction and objectives, market forces,
the total indebtedness in the accounts receivable ledger and the
cash flow requirements of the organisation.
3.2 Recommendations for changes to policy are considered, actioned, documented
and communicated in accordance with the quality management system.
3.3 Debtor viewpoints are canvassed on credit policies and their effect on the
organisation’s business, in accordance with the quality management system.
Range: customer focus groups, conferences, questionnaires, surveys,
individual interview, complaints register, incoming mail, telephone
calls.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Forest Industries Training forestindustries@fitec.org.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2005

4. 16960 version 3
30-Jun-05
4 of 4
CREDIT MANAGEMENT
Manage credit policies and procedures
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated inter-
institutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0172 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2005