R2R103678 - 103959 - Accounts Receivable Officer

South End City Council; Southend-on-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority council in Southend-on-Sea is seeking an enthusiastic Accounts Receivable Officer. This full-time role offers hybrid working and focuses on efficient income collection and customer service. Suitable candidates will need excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and experience in managing debts. Enjoy a supportive environment and a range of benefits including flexible working and training opportunities.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Flexible working

Excellent training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in debt recovery is advantageous.
• Ability to liaise with stakeholders and manage workloads effectively.
• Proficiency in spreadsheets and databases.

Responsibilities

• Ensure efficient collection of income for the Council.
• Implement best practice processes for performance enhancement.
• Negotiate payment arrangements and take recovery actions.

Skills

Exceptional communication skills

Strong IT skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Job description

Your New Organisation

Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role

We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic Accounts Receivable Officer to join our established and welcoming team Accounts Receivable team. This is a full-time, permanent position that offers hybrid working arrangements, a supportive environment, and a healthy work-life balance. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the efficient collection of income for the Council, meeting both organisational and customer needs. You will also play an active role in shaping and implementing best practice processes that enhance performance and service delivery, helping the team achieve its collection targets and contribute to wider corporate objectives.

Our Accounts Receivable team handles the day-to-day administration, billing, collection, and recovery of miscellaneous income owed to the Council. Because we work with a diverse range of customers and services, we need someone who can deliver excellent customer service under pressure and communicate effectively across departments. Building strong internal relationships will be a key part of your success in this role.

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful in the post, you will need exceptional communication skills and the confidence to liaise with stakeholders at all levels. You will regularly handle enquiries from the public, Councillors, MPs, and other departments, so a solid understanding of General Data Protection regulations is essential, along with a sharp eye for detail. Experience in debt recovery would be advantageous, as you will be responsible for ensuring invoices are paid promptly, negotiating payment arrangements when necessary, and taking appropriate recovery action on unpaid debt.

You should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, making decisions and managing your own workload while meeting individual and team targets in a performance-driven environment. Strong IT skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and databases, are also essential.

What you'll get in return

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.

What you need to do now

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

If you would like a copy the Job Description, please click here

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.