Our client, a dynamic local authority, is seeking a Revenue and Benefits Officer to join their team.
The role will contribute to the provision of a high quality revenue collection service for all streams, including Council Tax, Business Rates, Parking, Leasehold, Commercial Rent, General Income, Housing Benefit Overpayment and Rent.
This is a temporary contract initially for 3 months, with view for further extension thereafter. The hourly rate is £21.02 per hour PAYE or £27.76 per hour Umbrella. The working pattern is Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week, 7 hours per day - % homeworking
Responsibilities:
1. Manage revenue collection processes, including council tax and housing benefit overpayment
2. Utilise debt recovery procedures to ensure prompt payment
3. Handle customer correspondence in a professional and empathetic manner
4. Negotiate and agree suitable repayment plans with customers to help them meet their financial obligations
5. Receive and deal with correspondence from customers, landlords, members, CAB and outside agencies relating to recovery issues
6. Ensure that the correct details regarding liability, collection and enforcement are recorded on the council's revenue systems and undertake the tracing of debtors in order that the correct action is taken to recover all unpaid accounts
7. Identify errors/discrepancies in information passed between systems and the calculation of debts
8. Carry out administration duties, issue bills, notices, letters and other documents as required
9. Make decisions over which debts to write off and to complete the necessary documentation for approval
10. Maintain comprehensive records of all accounts and invoices, all stages of the debt recovery process, monitor and review records in order to ensure records are kept up to date and take action as necessary to address inaccuracies and inconsistencies
Requirements:
11. Previous experience in revenue collection and benefits management
12. Knowledge of council tax legislation and housing benefit overpayment regulations
13. Demonstrable experience of dealing with council tax enquiries from residents and undertaking of the council tax process and its interaction with over Revenue, Benefits and Support services
14. Good numeracy skills, able to interpret numerical data to ensure council tax bills are calculated correctly. Able to review customer's financial income and expenditure statements to assess affordability and set up payment plans. Able to explain a customer's balance, i.e., how it is calculated and what is owed
15. Familiarity with debt recovery processes and legal requirements
16. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for customer correspondence
17. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
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.