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- Help people apply for benefits payments and make sure they are administered correctly
- Can be challenging work as people may sometimes be upset or angry, but can also be very rewarding
- Opportunities to progress into senior roles or into fraud investigation or property valuation
You'll help to make sure rents, council tax and business rates are collected. You'll be responsible for arranging payment of housing and council tax benefits.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Calculating rents, council tax and business rates
- Sending bills and reminders
- Collecting and processing payments
- Recovering arrears of rent or council tax
- Arranging legal action against debtors
- Getting money back from customers who have been overpaid
- Attending court
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll work in an office.
You'll need
For this role, you'll need administration and customer service skills, thoroughness and attention to detail, the ability to work both on your own and with others, sensitivity and understanding, flexibility and openness to change, and excellent verbal communication skills.
There are no set requirements, but you'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English; and experience in customer service, especially in accounts and finance, or in local government.
Some employers may expect you to pass tests covering the skills needed for the job.
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like public administration or business administration, but this is not essential.
College courses in business and administration would also be helpful to teach relevant skills and knowledge.
You can also get into this job through a revenue and welfare benefits practitioner higher apprenticeship.
You could start as an administrative assistant and work your way up with training on the job, such as on courses offered by the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience and qualifications you could progress into more senior roles, including fraud investigations or property valuation.