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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage income collection and debt recovery while supporting vulnerable residents.
- Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation in South London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial sustainability while helping your community thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance or customer service, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 43308 - 47925 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
Finance Officer PO1/PO2: 43,308pa rising in annual increments to 47,925pa incl. LW Full time/Permanent
About Us
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from Streatham in the South to Waterloo in the North, Lambeth is the 9th largest borough in London, with a diverse community speaking more than 130 languages. It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, with bold ambitions for the future through our Lambeth 2030 Plan “Our Future, Our Lambeth.” With exceptional schools, green spaces such as Brockwell Park, cultural institutions like the Black Cultural Archives, and world‑renowned sites such as St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching environment.
About the Team
The Credit & Collections team sits within Exchequer Services and is responsible for income collection and debt recovery across sundry debts, Adult Social Care, and Housing Benefit overpayments. We work with colleagues across service departments to secure income required to deliver essential services. The team is transforming to a more proactive, data-led, and preventative approach to income management, balancing financial control with fairness and compassion for vulnerable residents. Our culture promotes ownership, accountability, and high-quality customer service with dignity and respect.
About the Role
As a Finance Officer within Credit & Collections, you will manage income collection and debt recovery for a defined portfolio covering sundry debts, Adult Social Care, and Housing Benefit overpayments. You will be the primary point of contact for your service areas, collaborating with departments to resolve issues, provide guidance on billing and recovery processes, and ensure appropriate financial controls are applied. You will proactively improve collection performance, address aged and complex debt, and support service colleagues to understand and meet their income management responsibilities. You will contribute to meeting performance targets while managing sensitive cases in line with legislation and council policy. You may be required to supervise a small team and deputise for senior colleagues where necessary. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to service improvement, modernise collection practices, and make a measurable impact on the Council’s financial sustainability while supporting residents effectively.
How to Apply
To be considered for interview, please ensure your CV and supporting statement clearly evidence how you meet the shortlisting criteria on the personal specification marked “A” for application: JD and Person Specification. We operate an anonymised application process, so remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement. Advert closing date: 3 February 2026 at midnight.
Contact Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Damien Shillingford, dshillingford1@lambeth.gov.uk. At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Finance Officer employer: Lambeth Council
Contact Detail:
Lambeth Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Reach out to current or former employees at Lambeth Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insights into the team culture and what they really value in a Finance Officer.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of income collection and debt recovery processes. We want to show that we understand the challenges and can contribute to the proactive, data-led approach they’re aiming for.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to financial management and customer service. We should be ready to demonstrate our problem-solving skills and how we handle sensitive cases with compassion.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we can tailor our CV and supporting statement to match exactly what Lambeth is looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Officer role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially around income collection and debt recovery. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlisting criteria marked 'A'. Use specific examples from your past experiences to show us your capabilities in managing sensitive cases and improving collection performance.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we love a professional tone, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Show us your passion for finance and helping the community. Remember, we’re looking for someone who fits into our culture of compassion and accountability!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it helps us keep track of all applications in our anonymised process. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lambeth Council
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Officer, you'll be dealing with income collection and debt recovery, so brush up on your financial knowledge. Familiarise yourself with key financial terms and concepts relevant to the role, such as sundry debts and Housing Benefit overpayments. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Understand the Council's Values
Lambeth Council has specific values and behaviours that guide their work. Take some time to read through their One Lambeth Values and Behaviours page. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially around compassion and fairness for vulnerable residents. This will demonstrate that you're not just looking for a job, but that you truly want to contribute to their mission.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific situations from your past experience where you've successfully managed income collection or resolved complex debt issues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you articulate your skills effectively and show how you can make a measurable impact in the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful queries about the Credit & Collections team's transformation to a data-led approach or how they measure success in income management. This shows that you're engaged and eager to understand how you can contribute to their goals.
