Accounts Receivable Officer in Haddington

Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment have been engaged by a Public Sector Body to recruit an experienced Accounts Receivable professional into the role of Accounts Receivable Officer. This role is a 1-year fixed term contract commencing ASAP.

Role Summary: Responsible for the delivery of an effective and efficient service to collect a Business Areas Account income to ensure that the business has the finances to deliver high quality services to all within their region. Ensure customers and services are fully supported and all work is in compliance with the business policies, procedures and legislation with a commitment to achieve best value.

Key Role Responsibilities:

• Assist in the delivery of agreed Team objectives, plans and targets, ensuring work is carried out with accuracy and in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance and policies & procedures.
• Ensure that charges are collected efficiently and accurately, administered in accordance with legislation, policies and statements of current working method.
• Achieve agreed performance targets for the collection of income, reduce arrears and contribute to the setting of future performance targets.
• Identify where customers may be having trouble in meeting their commitment to pay and ensure affordable payments can be sustained.
• Monitor and review accounts on an ongoing basis to reach a desired outcome with an emphasis on personal contact.
• Prevent arrears from escalating through early intervention, negotiating payment arrangements, dealing with customer complaints and, when appropriate, escalating to a senior officer.
• Take appropriate recovery action in accordance with legislation and policy.
• Support the business in corporate responsibilities towards collecting charges and reducing debt and provide quality advice ensuring that other corporate obligations are recognised.
• Assess reduction applications by considering all evidence.
• Develop effective networks across the business and with external agencies to ensure an efficient service, ensuring the lowest level of arrears possible and reduction in serious debt levels.
• Maximise payment method options available to customers. Promote direct debit, e-billing and online transactions as the business preferred options.
• Mentor less experienced staff and provide ongoing support and guidance to new employees, apprentices etc.
• Carry out scanning and indexing for mail and reports received and monitor and index enquiries received into appropriate mailboxes.
• Process transfers, refunds and bad debt recommendations in line with policy and procedures.
• Maintain awareness of developments in best practice and comply with legislation changes, all to conform to statutory provisions.
• Deal with all cases/enquiries which can be sensitive and complex in nature.
• Participate and contribute to the development and review of policies and procedures.
• Use a range of systems and databases to investigate and resolve more complex enquiries.
• Produce timely and robust information on debt management for service departments and colleagues to facilitate decision making.
• Deputise in the absence of the Senior Officer or Team Manager to provide information and assistance to those who request it, either internal or external.

Key Person Specifications:

• Debt management/debt recovery qualification.
• Accounting degree or diploma.
• Working in a Revenues, Finance or Customer-focused environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of debt recovery legislation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with customers, colleagues and other professionals.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to recognise if additional help and support is required for potentially vulnerable people.
• Ability to negotiate repayment arrangements and explain clearly the consequences of non-payment.
• Ability to multi-task and to manage and prioritise own workload.
• A skilled user of Microsoft Office & Excel.
• Ability to investigate and resolve problems.