Revenues and Benefits Officer

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:

• To assist, as part of a team, in the administration of Council Tax accounts.
• 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).
• 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:

• To maintain the Council Tax records for the team using office computer systems in accordance with laid down procedures.
• 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
• 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).
• To record, report and resolve complaints from customers, and/or referring more complex and contentious matters to the senior officer or manager.
• To process applications for discounts, disregards, and exemptions promptly and efficiently, requesting further information or inspections where necessary
• To check and dispatch system generated documentation (including rolling review forms, bills, reminders, summonses, Pre-enforcement letters, committal warnings and committal summonses).
• 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:

• In depth experience of Revenues or similar environment (e.g., Rents), to include enforcement and debt collection.
• A thorough understanding of Council Tax legislation in order to correctly determine liability, and entitlement to discount or exemption.
• Ability to calculate Council Tax charges and account amendments, and to prepare statements of account for multiple years and/or properties.
• Ability to use information from various sources to determine appropriate repayment terms, and to conduct negotiation discussions with customers
• 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.
• Ability to respond to customers enquiries: in writing, electronically, face to face and at Magistrates Court.
• Related experience of working in a Council Tax or Business Rates collection environment.
• 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.

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