OR110478 – Assistant Finance Officer

Main Purpose of the Role

To provide an effective and customer-focused exchequer service by managing debt recovery, financial administration and income collection processes. The role involves recovering Housing Benefit Overpayments and Adult Social Care debts, maintaining accurate financial records, supporting service areas, and ensuring all recovery actions comply with legislation and Council procedures.

Typical Day Overview

• Managing a caseload of Housing Benefit Overpayments and Adult Social Care debts.
• Reviewing customer circumstances and deciding appropriate recovery action.
• Contacting customers and stakeholders to resolve outstanding debts.
• Setting up repayment arrangements and progressing recovery cases.
• Updating financial systems, completing reconciliations and maintaining accurate records.
• Producing reports, analysing financial information and supporting service improvements.
• Working with teams such as Finance, DWP, Social Care and enforcement agents.

Key Skills Required

• Strong knowledge of debt recovery processes and relevant legislation.
• Ability to manage a caseload, prioritise workloads and work independently.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to handle difficult conversations with customers professionally.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to review financial information and make decisions.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel and financial systems.
• Good attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Relevant Experience Required

• Experience recovering Housing Benefit Overpayments or Adult Social Care debts within a local authority.
• Experience managing a debt recovery caseload and progressing recovery action.
• Experience applying recovery regulations, policies and procedures.
• Experience dealing with customers, vulnerable individuals, DWP, enforcement agents and internal teams.
• Experience using financial systems, processing transactions, completing reconciliations and preparing reports.

Client – London Borough of Lambeth

Location – 4 days remote, 1 day in the office -(Initial training 2-3 days in the office)

PAYE: £20.55 per hour

35 hours a week