Assistant Finance Officer

6 Months Contract with a Local Authority Umbrella - £26.77 per hour

• Umbrella 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.