Customer Accounts Officer (Council Tax Recovery)
Adecco are recruiting on behalf of Ealing Council for a Customer Accounts Officer specialising in Council Tax Recovery. This is an excellent opportunity to join a Local Authority team and support the effective recovery of council tax arrears. This is a temporary assignment initially for 3 months.
Contract Details:
- Type: Temporary
- Pay: £20.76 per hour (PAYE) / £27.89 per hour (Umbrella)
- Location: Perceval House, Ealing
- Working Arrangements: Hybrid - mainly home-based, with attendance required in the office for court hearings.
- Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
The Role:
As a Customer Accounts Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the collection and recovery of council tax, ensuring processes are carried out in line with relevant legislation and procedures. The role will involve case management, attending court hearings when required, and liaising with residents regarding outstanding balances.
Key Responsibilities:
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 carry out further enquiries and investigations as necessary to verify particular circumstances. To amend the records promptly on becoming aware of any changes to liability.
To assist more junior, temporary or less experienced accounts staff, and work experience students, by providing day to day advice and guidance on using the system and procedures.
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 magistrates court). At all times having regard to the council's Equality & Diversity Policy, the provisions of the Data Protection legislation and adherence to the objective to deliver services to a high level of customer care. To properly record dealings with customers.
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 despatch system generated documentation (including rolling review forms, bills, reminders, summonses, Pre -enforcement letters, committal warnings and committal summonses).
To assist in the checking of summons prelists, liability order lists, civil enforcement (bailiff) prelists and other arrears listings to ensure appropriate enforcement action is taken, recovery action held or cancelled when necessary, or that recommendations/referrals are made to a more senior officer.
To use negotiating skills and exercise discretion to make and monitor arrangements with defaulting Council Tax customers, in accordance with laid down procedures and with regard to the particular facts in each case.
In conjunction with the returns on financial information request forms, determine suitable cases and issue the necessary documentation for attachments of earnings, deductions from Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance, and referrals to bailiffs. If appropriate, identify and refer cases for committal proceedings, attachment of members' allowances, Charging Orders, or insolvency proceedings.
To assist the Customer Accounts Manager in representing the Council in court proceedings, including making payment arrangements with customers at the Magistrates Court. To discuss and obtain income and expenditure details with customers for means enquiries at committal courts.
To maintain accurate payment and instalment details on customer accounts and in particular to promote direct debit as a preferred method of payment. Carry out credit and debit card transactions with customers, whether by telephone, or through letters or emails.
Essential Skills and Experience:
Experience in council tax recovery
Knowledge of council tax legislation
Knowledge of NEC/Northgate systems
Strong communication and customer service skills
Ability to manage workload effectively and meet deadlinesApply Now - if you have the skills and experience required for this role, we encourage you to apply. Should your CV be shortlisted, an Adecco Consultant will contact you to discuss progressing your application to the client.
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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