Billing & Collection Officer (local authority)

Billing & Collections Officer

Location: Wembley, London (Hybrid Working)

Pay Rate: £19.26 per hour PAYE / £25.36 per hour Umbrella

Contract: Ongoing Temporary Assignment

Start Date: Immediate Start Available

A leading London Local Authority is seeking an experienced Billing & Collections Officer to join their Revenues team on an ongoing temporary basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate with proven experience in Council Tax billing, collection and recovery within a Local Authority environment. Due to the nature of the role, applicants must have recent and relevant experience in a similar sector. Candidates without Public Sector Revenues experience will not be considered.

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working model with 4 days working from home and 1 day per week on-site at the Civic Centre in Wembley.
• Standard working hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm.
• Flexibility is required as hours may occasionally vary to 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer the billing, collection and recovery of Council Tax in accordance with legislation, council policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain accurate liability records, applying discounts, exemptions and reductions where appropriate.
• Manage accounts throughout the full recovery lifecycle to maximise collection rates while ensuring fair treatment of residents.
• Handle complex customer enquiries via telephone, email and written correspondence.
• Negotiate payment arrangements and assess appropriate recovery action.
• Progress cases through recovery and enforcement processes where necessary.
• Liaise with enforcement agents, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), audit teams and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate record keeping, data integrity and compliance with relevant legislation and procedures.
• Provide excellent customer service, including supporting vulnerable customers and signposting where appropriate.

Essential Requirements

• Recent experience working within a Local Authority Council Tax Billing and Recovery Team.
• Strong knowledge of Council Tax legislation, billing processes and recovery procedures.
• Experience managing accounts through the full collection and recovery cycle.
• Ability to deal confidently with complex customer enquiries and negotiate payment arrangements.
• Excellent communication, organisational and decision-making skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Experience using Northgate (NEC) Revenues and Benefits systems.
• Previous experience liaising with enforcement agents, audit teams and the VOA.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive rates of £19.26 PAYE or £25.36 Umbrella.
• Immediate start available.
• Hybrid working with only one day per week in the office.
• Ongoing temporary assignment with potential for long-term extension.
• Opportunity to work within a busy and supportive Local Authority Revenues team.

If you have the required Local Authority Council Tax billing and recovery experience and are available to start at short notice, we would love to hear from you. Apply today with your updated CV.