Income/Debtor Assistant

Income/Debtor Assistant- GBP10-GBP15 p/h PAYE - Huntingdonshire- until March 2017

The purpose of this job description is to give an indication of the main duties and responsibilities for this post; it must not be interpreted as an exhaustive list of every element of the role.

Main Purpose of Post:
*Creating, monitoring and maintaining debtor records and making decisions on debt repayment/recovery action.
*Undertaking the collection of money owed to the Council.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:
To assist in the provision of the following tasks in respect of the Council's Sundry Debts service:
*Maintain accurate debtor records by creating debtor accounts, monitoring payments against debtors raised or methods of debt recovery.
*Maintain good debtor relationships; ensuring respective Council services are aware of their position and also relationships with external clients.
*Undertake debt recovery, in line with Council practices, to ensure that unpaid debt is recovered in the most prompt and cost effective way possible.
*Responding to debtor queries in the most effective way possible.
*Collating debt information in an effective manner and referring to other departments or external agencies, as appropriate, so debt recovery action can be undertaken, including authorisation for write-off (as a last resort).
*Provide training to new members of staff in the departments who process debtor invoices.
*Assisting other members of the Income Team with duties relating to debt recovery at times of peak workload

To fulfil the responsibility of an employee which includes:
*Ensuring the health and safety of themselves and other employees and visitors to the Council's premises.
*Complying with all policies of the Council that apply to employees.

To undertake:
*Such other duties as are appropriate to the nature and grading of the post as are required from time to time.
*Appropriate reading and training to keep abreast of changes in respect of the service that you provide.

Essential Criteria

Knowledge:
*The importance of prompt and accurate debt management.
*Awareness of data protection and the requirements of confidentiality.

Skills Abilities:
*Self-reliant & proactive and able to work on own initiative.
*Ability to balance challenging priorities.
*Strong attention to detail in a financial environment, numerically literate.
*Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of internal (legal, client departments) and external customers (external agencies, debtors), and both in writing and verbally.
*Be resolute and when necessary, assertive, to ensure debt recovery decisions are enforced.
*Apply good customer care.
*Ability to achieve results through influence and negotiation by phone and letter.
*Competency in the use of MS Office, especially Excel, Word and Outlook, financial management system and other departmental systems.
*Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
*Self motivated.
*Able to follow a prescribed process and make effective decisions to tight deadlines

Experience:
*Experience in a financial environment, especially maintaining financial records.
*Credit Control/debt collection (desirable)

Qualifications:
*5 GCSE's including Maths and English at grade C or above

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