Role Purpose
To deal with all aspects relating to the accurate and prompt processing of work associated with Council Tax, Business Rates and BID Levy from initial billing through to recovery and enforcement.
To work within a team of Revenues officers to provide a professional, proactive, customer focused service within the relevant team.
Main Responsibilities
- Determine the correct liable party for Council Tax, Business Rates and BID levy in order for all required notices to be issued as soon as practicable. This is to be achieved in line with relevant legislation, case law & local procedures.
- Ensure eligibility to any potential reliefs, discounts or, exemptions are identified and awarded within a timely manner whilst ensuring proper consideration is given to any application in line with legislation, case law & local procedures.
- Provide high-quality professional advice, guidance and support in respect of Council Tax, Business Rates or BID levy to customers and external partners. This would include but not limited to, taxpayers, ratepayers, rating advisors, landlord, estate agents, solicitors, customer services (front facing and telephone contact centre staff), benefits service, housing service, EA companies and the Valuation Office Agency.
- Assist in the review of discounts, reliefs or exemptions to maximise revenue due to the council and identify and reduce incidences of fraud.
- Attend magistrates court liability order and other committal hearings in support of the Court Officer/Team Manager, assisting with the gathering of evidence prior to the hearing and interviewing customer who attend the hearing.
- Make decisions upon and implement the appropriate form of recovery action in respect of customers who do not pay as demanded. These decisions are to be made in accordance with relevant primary/secondary legislation, local procedures and policies.
- Accurately calculate and create refunds where overpayments have been made.
- Identify and prepare reports for cases considered suitable for write off.
- Keep up to date with relevant and appropriate legislation and the use of any software systems employed to discharge this work.
- Actively trace absconders using specialist software and, where required, make detailed enquiries under the exemptions afforded to us under the Data Protection Act (collection of taxes).
Essential Skills and Experience required:
- Experience of working within a local government Revenues department dealing with Council Tax or Business Rates
- Experience of using Northgate’s i-world application
- Experience of using an electronic document management system
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Excellent understanding of and ability to work with confidential information
- Use of clear and logical thinking in assessing challenges, solving problems, and achieving timely outcomes
- Ability to understand, retain and apply complex legislation and regulations
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex decisions both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to analyse data to identify and correct discrepancies where appropriate
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Commitment to preventing, detecting, and deterring fraud
- Commitment to the delivery of a customer-focused service
- Accurate and methodical approach to work
- Ability to cope with a high-volume, pressurised environment where customers are often under a high degree of personal and financial stress
- A flexible approach to changes in procedures, processes, locations and day-to-day office duties
If interested please apply now. The skills and experience highlighted above are essential.
Only successful applicants will be contacted.
Good Luck