JOB TITLE: Revenue & Benefits Officer
LOCATION: Some remote working, client based in West London
PAY RATE: £19.50 hourly PAYE
START DATE: ASAP
DURATION/Hours: 3-month initial contract/ 35 hours a week
IR35 STATUS: Inside
Purpose of the Revenue & Benefits Officer:
1. To assist, as part of a team, in the administration of Council Tax accounts.
2. Use office computer systems to maintain accurate records of liability, charges, reductions, payments and arrangements (including those made at Liability Order and Committal court hearings).
3. Check and issue bills, recovery notices, enforcement documents and enquiry forms to ensure prompt collection and enforcement of Council Tax - including the referral of cases to enforcement agents (bailiffs) and other appropriate proceedings
Key Accountabilities of Revenue & Benefit Officer:
4. To maintain the Council Tax records for the team using office computer systems in accordance with laid down procedures.
5. To ascertain and check all necessary information, using permitted sources and by liaison with other council sections and outside organisations, to determine the persons legally liable to Council Tax
6. To deal promptly and efficiently with Council Tax customers, their agents, and other persons and organisations with a legitimate interest, by telephone, in writing, by email and in person (whether at the reception or at the magistrate's court).
7. To record, report and resolve complaints from customers, and/or referring more complex and contentious matters to the senior officer or manager.
8. To process applications for discounts, disregards, and exemptions promptly and efficiently, requesting further information or inspections where necessary
9. To check and dispatch system generated documentation (including rolling review forms, bills, reminders, summonses, Pre-enforcement letters, committal warnings and committal summonses).
10. To assist the Customer Accounts Manager in representing the Council in court proceedings, including making payment arrangements with customers at the Magistrates Court.
Knowledge & Experience:
11. In depth experience of Revenues or similar environment (e.g., Rents), to include enforcement and debt collection.
12. A thorough understanding of Council Tax legislation in order to correctly determine liability, and entitlement to discount or exemption.
13. Ability to calculate Council Tax charges and account amendments, and to prepare statements of account for multiple years and/or properties.
14. Ability to use information from various sources to determine appropriate repayment terms, and to conduct negotiation discussions with customers
15. Ability to use a computerised accounts system to accurately maintain and update Council Tax records, to retrieve information and initiate the section's recovery procedures.
16. Ability to respond to customers enquiries: in writing, electronically, face to face and at Magistrates Court.
17. Related experience of working in a Council Tax or Business Rates collection environment.
18. Experience of Local Taxation can be demonstrated, Knowledge of Northgate/NEC, Recovery of debts
Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.