At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver excellent rent accounting services and support residents with their financial wellbeing.
- Company: Join the dynamic Havering council, committed to community support and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Embrace an inclusive culture with opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Customer-focused mindset, strong attention to detail, and ability to manage priorities.
The predicted salary is between 207 - 207 £ per hour.
Are you passionate about delivering excellent customer service and ensuring residents receive a fair, efficient, and supportive rent management experience? We’re looking for a proactive Rent Accounts Officer to join our Income Services team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in managing housing income, supporting residents, and contributing to the financial wellbeing of our community.
What you’ll be doing:
- Delivering a high-quality rent accounting service, ensuring accurate posting of rental income and resolving allocation queries.
- Managing direct debits for both rented and leasehold accounts, and supporting residents to move to automated payment methods.
- Working closely with Arrears Prevention & Recovery Officers to identify residents at risk and provide early support.
- Processing refunds, credit transfers, and insurance payments, while monitoring for potential money laundering concerns.
- Collaborating across teams to ensure rent accounts are set up, maintained, and closed correctly.
- Supporting performance monitoring and contributing to service improvements through data analysis and resident feedback.
What we’re looking for:
- A customer-focused mindset with excellent communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and confidence working with financial data.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work flexibly across the housing directorate.
- A commitment to continuous improvement and delivering value for money.
- Awareness of safeguarding, equality, and data protection responsibilities.
Why Choose Havering?
At Havering, we’re committed to supporting our residents and empowering our staff. As part of our team, you’ll benefit from:
- Competitive Salary
- Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible Working Options including hybrid arrangements
- Generous Annual Leave with the option to buy additional days
- Professional Development with a commitment to 10 days of learning annually
- Health & Wellbeing Support including mental health resources
- Inclusive Culture guided by our ICARE values: Integrity, Creativity, Ambition, Respect, Everyone
About Us
Havering is one of London’s most diverse and exciting boroughs, combining a vibrant local economy with some of the capital’s greenest spaces. With excellent transport links, thriving town centres, and strong community networks, Havering offers a fantastic quality of life — whether you are commuting into the city or enjoying the borough’s cultural and recreational opportunities closer to home.
As a council, we are ambitious, forward-looking, and committed to delivering high-quality services that make a real difference to our residents. We embrace digital innovation, modernisation, and new ways of working to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Guided by our ICARE values, we foster an inclusive and supportive culture where colleagues are encouraged to think differently, bring fresh ideas, and grow their careers.
For more information about the position please click (Job Profile). For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Thomas.Kingham@havering.gov.uk. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 18/09/2026 however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early. You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed.
Additional Information
We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.
The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role. We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
Rent Accounting Officer in Romford employer: Borough of Havering
Havering is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a significant impact on the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to systemic practice, access to accredited training, and a supportive work culture, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team in a role that is both meaningful and rewarding. Join us in a vibrant community where your expertise is valued, and together we can create positive outcomes for those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Rent Accounting Officer in Romford
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Borough of Havering. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Borough of Havering.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Borough of Havering. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Rent Accounting Officer in Romford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Borough of Havering and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Borough of Havering how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Havering
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Borough of Havering.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Borough of Havering's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
