As we step into a new year filled with both uncertainty and opportunity, one priority sits firmly at the top of the agenda for every business: cashflow. In a landscape shaped by high interest rates, tighter lending conditions and increased pressure across supply chains, the ability to maintain strong, predictable cashflow is no longer just a financial objective, it is a strategic advantage. 

A robust credit control strategy is the foundation of this advantage. It enables businesses to trade confidently, protect working capital and respond with agility as economic conditions shift. As 2026 begins, now is the ideal moment for companies to assess their credit management processes, identify weaknesses and implement improvements that will see them through the year ahead. 

At Darcey Quigley & Co, we’ve spent over 18 years supporting businesses across the UK and beyond with commercial debt recovery, late payment prevention and world-class credit management guidance. Drawing on that experience, we’ve outlined the essential components of a winning credit control strategy for 2026, one that not only reduces risk but empowers businesses to grow. 

1. Start with a Comprehensive Credit Risk Review 

Before you can build a stronger credit control strategy, you need clarity on the risks landscape. Many companies operate with outdated or incomplete customer credit data, exposing them to preventable late payment issues throughout the year. 

What to review: 

Customer payment performance over the last 12–24 months 

Aged debt profile, including persistent late payers 

Concentration risk (how much revenue is tied to a handful of customers) 

Credit limits and whether they reflect current trading behaviour 

Changes in customer financial stability, especially after volatile trading periods 

Credit reports, ledger reviews and enhanced due-diligence checks are essential tools here. Businesses should not assume that customers who were low-risk in 2024 or 2025 remain low-risk today. The most effective credit control strategies are dynamic and based on real-time data. 

2. Strengthen Your Credit Control Policy

A written credit control policy serves as the backbone of a successful credit control strategy. It ensures consistency, sets expectations and empowers credit controllers to act quickly and decisively. 

Your policy should include: 

Clear credit terms and what conditions apply 

Defined credit limits and escalation procedures 

A step-by-step collections timeline from invoice to late-payment escalation 

Procedures for verifying new customers 

Guidelines for high-risk customers (e.g., upfront payment, part-payment or shorter terms) 

Documentation requirements for orders, contracts and delivery evidence 

Many organisations still rely on informal practices passed down through teams, leading to inconsistent decision-making and avoidable disputes. As you head into 2026, ensure your policy is updated, documented and communicated across teams, especially sales, finance and operations. 

3. Prioritise Real-Time Communication and Proactive Follow-Up

Timely communication is one of the simplest yet most impactful improvements you can make to your credit control strategy. Many invoices become overdue simply because a reminder wasn’t sent early enough. 

Build communication into your workflow: 

Send a courtesy reminder before the invoice becomes due. 

Follow up on the day the invoice is due, not weeks later. 

Keep communication professional, friendly and direct. 

Use multiple channels: email, phone and, where appropriate, customer portals. 

Proactive follow-up reinforces that your business takes payment seriously, reducing the likelihood of disputes or excuses later down the line. 

4. Invest in Credit Control Technology and Automation

Automation is transforming modern credit management. Tools that streamline reminders, flag overdue invoices, score risk and centralise ledger data allow teams to focus their time on the cases that truly require human intervention. 

Advantages of automation: 

Faster invoice processing 

Automatic reminders and escalation workflows 

Improved accuracy and fewer manual errors 

Real-time analytics and risk alerts 

Greater visibility across the business 

A well-implemented digital system is a strategic investment that pays dividends throughout the year, especially when combined with expert oversight. 

5. Improve Your Invoicing and Documentation Process 

Even the most sophisticated credit control strategy cannot compensate for poor invoicing. Errors, missing information or inconsistent processes are among the leading causes of disputed or delayed invoices. 

Optimise your invoicing by ensuring: 

Every invoice is accurate, itemised and compliant with your contractual terms 

Invoices are issued promptly, ideally the same day goods or services are delivered 

Purchase orders, contracts and delivery notes are cross-checked 

Customer billing details are up to date 

Credit notes follow a consistent and fast approval process 

Clear documentation reduces ambiguity and accelerates payments — a critical step for achieving better cashflow in 2026. 

6. Strengthen Customer Relationships Through Early Engagement

Good credit control is not just about invoices; it is about relationships. Engaging early with customers about expectations, terms and upcoming invoices helps to prevent friction and foster trust. 

Key relationship-building tactics: 

Discuss payment terms during onboarding 

Confirm details before sending large or unusual invoices 

Communicate changes in policy clearly and early 

Engage regularly with customers’ accounts teams, not just buyers 

Businesses who maintain transparent communication often find that customers prioritise payments to them over other suppliers, especially during financially challenging periods. 

7. Segment Your Debtors and Build Risk-Based Approaches 

Not all customers are created equal. A strong credit control strategy uses segmentation to apply differentiated approaches based on risk, value and behaviour. 

Segment customers by: 

Payment reliability 

Credit limit utilisation 

Order volume and revenue 

Market and industry risk indicators 

Historic dispute frequency 

From here, create targeted workflows. Low-risk customers may need minimal manual monitoring, while high-risk segments could benefit from tighter terms, upfront payments or more frequent check-ins. 

8. Train and Upskill Your Credit Control Team

Even the best systems and policies can fall short without well-trained people implementing them. Credit management is becoming increasingly complex, combining finance, customer service, legal understanding and negotiation skills. 

Training priorities for 2026: 

Effective communication and negotiation 

Understanding credit risk and financial statements 

Dispute resolution techniques 

Knowledge of late payment legislation 

Familiarity with credit management tools and automation 

Investing in your team is investing in your longevity. A skilled credit controller can prevent thousands of pounds in overdue debt through knowledge and proactive action. 

9. Strengthen Your Escalation Process and Use Third-Party Support Early 

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is waiting too long before escalating overdue invoices. By the time a debt reaches 60, 90 or 120+ days, the likelihood of full recovery diminishes significantly. 

A successful credit control strategy outlines exactly when to bring in expert support and sticks to it. 

Best practice for escalation: 

Define a clear threshold (often 30 days overdue) for external referral 

Ensure your collections cycle is consistent, documented and adhered to 

Identify high-risk cases early and escalate sooner 

Partner with a trusted commercial debt recovery specialist 

Darcey Quigley & Co’s commercial debt recovery services help businesses recover overdue invoices quickly, professionally and without damaging customer relationships. Early intervention not only increases the chance of payment but frees your internal team to focus on current accounts rather than chasing aged debt. 

10. Make Credit Control Part of Your Strategic Planning for 2026 

Credit control must not sit in isolation. It should align with your broader business goals, sales strategy, pricing model and risk appetite. 

Integrate credit control with: 

Financial planning and forecasting 

Sales and account management targets 

Supplier payment schedules 

Investment and expansion plans 

Risk management frameworks 

When credit management is proactive and integrated across departments, your business gains visibility, stability and control therefore positioning you for successful growth throughout 2026. 

11. Review and Improve Your 2025 Performance 

To build a stronger year ahead, reflect honestly on the year behind. 

Ask: 

Where did the majority of overdue invoices originate? 

Which customers or industries caused the most delays? 

Were disputes avoidable with better documentation? 

Were reminders sent consistently and on time? 

Did the team have the tools they needed? 

How much time was spent chasing instead of preventing debt? 

Use these insights to refine your credit control strategy and eliminate recurring issues. 

12. Create a 2026 Action Plan 

Turn strategy into execution by outlining a detailed, month-by-month plan for 2026. This should include key milestones, technology upgrades, training investments and ledger review dates. 

Action items might include: 

Quarterly creditworthiness reviews 

Monthly aged-debt deep dives 

Scheduled customer check-ins 

Annual policy updates 

Ongoing staff training 

Regular performance monitoring against KPIs 

A structured plan ensures your credit control improvements are continuous, not one-off. 

Conclusion: Build a Credit Control Strategy That Powers Your 2026 Success  

As we enter 2026, businesses must be ready to navigate evolving market conditions with agility and confidence. A clear, consistent and proactive credit control strategy is the key to doing exactly that. 

From strengthening procedures and leveraging automation to improving communication and escalating earlier, every action you take today contributes to better efficiency, improved customer relationships and a healthier cashflow tomorrow. 

At Darcey Quigley & Co, we are here to help businesses take control of their credit management and recover overdue debts with professionalism and speed. Whether you need support with prevention, recovery or strategic guidance, our team is ready to help you kickstart 2026 with confidence.

Contact our team today to secure your outstanding payments and boost your cash flow for 2026. 

For more news, tips and information on how professional debt recovery can support your business, follow Darcey Quigley & Co on LinkedIn!