Collection jobs in United Kingdom

Finance Team Leader – Accounts Receivable

Department: Corporate Resources
Division: Exchequer Services
Grade: PO4
Reports to: Head of Exchequer Services
Line Management Responsibility: Up to 10 staff

The Finance Team Leader – Accounts Receivable plays a key role in supporting the Head of Exchequer Services in delivering an efficient, effective, and customer-focused exchequer service.

The postholder is responsible for leading day-to-day delivery across accounts receivable, income collection, debt management and recovery, while working closely with council services, senior officers, and suppliers to ensure correct financial processes are followed and continuously improved.

To lead and develop a proactive Accounts Receivable team that delivers high-quality income and debt services, ensures strong financial control, and provides excellent customer service.

The role acts as a key point of contact for services and senior stakeholders, driving compliance with financial procedures, improving processes and systems, and maximising the benefits of automation and data-led working.

• Lead and manage the delivery of Accounts Receivable, income collection, billing, debt management and recovery services to a high professional standard.
• Ensure performance targets and KPIs are achieved, including timely invoicing, income collection, and effective debt recovery.
• Oversee the preparation and reporting of performance and management information to senior management.
• Work collaboratively with internal services and external suppliers to resolve income and payment-related issues efficiently.

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of up to 10 staff, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, collaboration and customer focus.
• Manage recruitment, probation, performance appraisals, objective setting, and staff development in line with council policies.
• Promote a coaching and continuous improvement culture within the team.
• Deputise for the Head of Exchequer Services as required.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with senior officers, Heads of Service, and Directors.
• Act as a trusted point of contact, providing professional advice and guidance on income, debt, and exchequer processes.
• Represent the council at internal and external meetings, benchmarking groups, and with external partners where required.

• Ensure financial systems and processes for receivables and income are configured optimally and operate effectively.
• Drive continuous improvement, business process redesign, and automation to improve efficiency and service quality.
• Ensure data quality, data cleansing, and consistent use of systems across services.
• Support training and enablement of end users to ensure correct use of financial systems and compliance with procedures.

• Maintain strong financial controls to meet internal and external audit requirements.
• Ensure timely reconciliations and checks to minimise risk, prevent fraud, and avoid duplicate or unauthorised transactions.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, procurement and payment legislation, VAT requirements, and council policies.
• Identify and elevate non-compliance and risks appropriately.

• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge of relevant financial legislation, policies, standards and best practice.
• Contribute to the monitoring and delivery of financial management strategies and improvement programmes.
• Act in accordance with data protection, health and safety, equalities legislation, and the council’s code of conduct.

• Detailed understanding of public sector or local government exchequer services, particularly accounts receivable, income and debt.
• Experience of leading or supervising staff within a finance or income-related service.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial processes clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Experience working with financial systems and strong IT skills, including Excel.
• Strong customer focus with the ability to apply financial controls firmly and diplomatically.

• Experience of change management, process improvement or system implementation.
• CCAB qualification (or equivalent), or actively studying towards one.