Assistant Finance Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; London Borough of Lambeth; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking an Assistant Finance Officer in Brixton, Lambeth, London, to support Exchequer Services with debt recovery and housing benefit overpayments. The role is a 6-month contract with hybrid working (3 days remote, 1–2 days in the office) and requires experience managing large portfolios and relevant legislation.

The successful candidate will handle a portfolio of 900–1,000 accounts, apply recovery regulations, and liaise with customers, the DWP, and enforcement

Qualifications

• Three years’ experience in debt collection within a Local Authority.
• Experience managing a portfolio of 900–1,000 accounts.
• Experience handling Housing Benefit Overpayments.
• Experience managing Adult Social Care debt portfolios.
• Knowledge of Housing Benefit overpayment recovery legislation and procedures.
• Understanding of recovery methods (PDE/PDP, DEA, deductions).
• Experience working with DWP, enforcement agents and internal stakeholders.
• Experience with vulnerable customers and sensitive financial situations.

Responsibilities

• Manage a large portfolio of 900–1,000 accounts and monitor debts.
• Independently manage Housing Benefit Overpayment recovery cases.
• Oversee Adult Social Care debt portfolios and care charges.
• Apply housing benefit legislation and recovery regulations in practice.
• Progress debt recovery using PDE/PDP, DEA and benefit deductions.
• Analyze customer circumstances to determine recovery solutions.
• Liaise with customers, DWP, enforcement agents and staff to resolve cases.
• Provide financial advice and admin support to service areas.
• Investigate and resolve financial queries with timely outcomes.
• Maintain accurate financial records and audit trails.
• Use computerised financial systems to process transactions and reconciliations.
• Prepare MIS and financial reports to monitor performance.
• Monitor income collection and debt management against targets.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial systems and processes.
• Collaborate with colleagues to deliver a customer-focused exchequer service.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Customer service

Analytical ability

Organisational skills

IT skills

Microsoft Office

Financial management systems

Tools

Oracle

Job description

Brixton, United Kingdom | Posted on 06/11/2026

• City Brixton
• Province Lambeth
• Country United Kingdom
• Postal Code SW2

About Us

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints.

Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6 Months Contract with a Local Authority

Job Purpose

As an Assistant Finance Officer within Exchequer Services, you will provide proactive financial and debt recovery support, managing a substantial portfolio of accounts and ensuring effective collection of outstanding debts.

You will be responsible for managing Housing Benefit Overpayments and Adult Social Care debt cases, applying relevant legislation and recovery procedures while delivering a professional, customer-focused service. You will work closely with customers, internal departments and external organisations to resolve financial issues and achieve positive recovery outcomes.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

Manage a large portfolio of approximately 900–1,000 accounts, ensuring outstanding debts are monitored and progressed effectively.

Independently manage Housing Benefit Overpayment cases, prioritising workloads and taking appropriate recovery action.

Manage Adult Social Care debt portfolios, including care charges, financial assessment charges and deferred payment agreements.

Apply relevant Housing Benefit legislation, recovery regulations and departmental procedures when determining appropriate recovery action.

Progress debt recovery using methods such as Payment Direct from Earnings (PDE/PDP), Direct Earnings Attachments (DEA) and deductions from benefits, where applicable.

Analyse customer circumstances and determine suitable recovery solutions in accordance with legislation and organisational policies.

Liaise with customers, the Department for Work and Pensions, enforcement agents and internal stakeholders to resolve complex debt cases.

Handle sensitive conversations professionally, including working with vulnerable customers and their representatives.

Provide financial advice and administrative support to service areas, customers and suppliers.

Investigate and resolve financial queries, taking ownership of issues and ensuring timely outcomes.

Maintain accurate financial records and ensure all transactions have a clear audit trail.

Use computerised financial systems to process transactions, run reports, extract and analyse data, and complete reconciliations.

Prepare spreadsheets, management information and financial reports to support service performance.

Monitor income collection, debt management and recovery performance against agreed targets.

Maintain accurate and confidential financial information, ensuring compliance with financial controls and relevant procedures.

Identify opportunities to improve financial systems, processes and operational efficiency.

Work collaboratively with colleagues and other departments to deliver an effective, customer-focused exchequer service.

Essential Experience Required

Minimum of three years' recent experience in debt collection or credit control within a Local Authority.

Proven experience managing a substantial portfolio of debt accounts, ideally 900–1,000 accounts.

Experience independently managing Housing Benefit Overpayment recovery cases.

Experience managing Adult Social Care debt portfolios and recovering outstanding care charges.

Knowledge of Housing Benefit Overpayment recovery legislation, regulations and procedures.

Understanding of recovery methods, including PDE/PDP, DEA and benefit deductions.

Experience applying relevant legislation and policies to determine appropriate debt recovery action.

Experience dealing with customers, the Department for Work and Pensions, enforcement agents and internal stakeholders.

Experience working with vulnerable customers and handling sensitive financial situations.

Strong communication, negotiation and customer service skills.

Ability to analyse financial information and make informed decisions.

Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a high-volume caseload independently.

Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and financial management systems.

Experience using Oracle is desirable.

Proactive approach, with the ability to take ownership of responsibilities and work effectively as part of a team.

Knowledge of local authority finance processes and basic accounting principles.

Additional Information to Note

Contract Duration: 6 months.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week.

Location: Brixton, Lambeth, London.

Working Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days remote and 1–2 days in the office.

Initial Training: 2–3 days per week in the office during the first two weeks.

DBS Requirement: Basic DBS check required.

Interview Date: 10th November 2026.

Interview Process: Online interview via Microsoft Teams, with up to five panel members.

Application Deadline: 8th November 2026.

Payment Schedule: We work on a bi-weekly payment schedule.