Local Government Revenues Officer

Job Description:

Revenues and benefits officers work for local councils and deal with housing benefits, rents, council tax and business rates.

Job Category:

Government & Public Services

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What you will do:

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

calculate rents, council tax and business rates
send out bills and reminders
collect and process payments
recover rent and council tax arrears
arrange legal action against debtors
get money back from customers who have been overpaid
attend court

Skills:

You’ll need:

administration skills
business management skills
customer service skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As well as:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
the ability to work on your own (drive)
to be flexible and open to change (adaptability skills)
excellent verbal communication skills

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

To become a Local Government Revenues Officer, there are no specific GCSE (or equivalent) subjects that are universally required. However, there are certain skills and qualifications that can be beneficial for this role. Local Government Revenues Officer play a crucial role in the effective functioning of local government offices. Here are some relevant subjects and skills:

English: Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for producing reports, handling correspondence, and communicating with colleagues and the public.
Mathematics: Basic math skills are important for tasks like budgeting, financial analysis, and data interpretation.
IT and Computer Skills: Proficiency in using office software like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and email is crucial for administrative tasks.
Business Studies: Subjects related to business, administration, or public administration can provide a foundational understanding of government processes and practices.
Public Administration or Politics (if available): While not common, coursework in public administration or politics can offer insights into how local governments operate.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like public administration or business administration, although it’s not essential.

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. In the UK, for example, relevant subjects include a Diploma in Business and Administration.

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a revenue and welfare benefits practitioner higher apprenticeship.

This typically takes around 12 months to complete and is a mix of workplace learning and study.

Work

You could start as an administrative assistant and work your way up with training on the job.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. Employers will expect you to have experience in customer service, especially in accounts and finance, or in local government.

Some employers may ask you to sit assessment tests to check that you have the skills needed for the job.

Working Hours and Environment:

A typical week consists of 37-39 hours of work. You could be required to work between 8am and 6pm.

You could work in an office.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience and qualifications you could progress into senior roles, including fraud investigations, property valuation or management.