Business Rates Officer - Revenues & Benefits

Business Rates Officer – Revenues & Benefits
Location: South East London
Pay Rate: £29.85 per hour (Umbrella) – Paid Weekly
Contract: 3 Months Ongoing
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 Days Remote, 2 Days Office-Based
Department: Resident and Business Services
Job OverviewWe are currently recruiting for an experienced Business Rates Officer to join a busy Revenues & Benefits team within a local authority in South East London.
The successful candidate will be responsible for administering and collecting Business Rates (NNDR), ensuring accurate billing, maintaining accounts and providing a high standard of customer service to businesses and ratepayers.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Business Rates accounts, ensuring accurate billing, adjustments and account updates.
• Process changes in liability, including new occupiers, changes of ownership and vacant properties.
• Assess and apply Business Rates reliefs, discounts and exemptions in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Manage Business Rates enquiries from businesses, ratepayers and other stakeholders.
• Investigate account discrepancies and resolve complex billing and liability issues.
• Monitor outstanding Business Rates balances and support recovery and enforcement procedures.
• Issue bills, reminders, final notices and other statutory correspondence where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Liaise with internal departments, external agencies and businesses to resolve enquiries and disputes.
• Support the wider Revenues & Benefits team in achieving collection targets and maintaining service standards.

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience working as a Business Rates Officer or NNDR Officer within a local authority.
• Strong knowledge of Business Rates legislation, billing, collection and recovery procedures.
• Experience processing Business Rates reliefs, exemptions and liability changes.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and work to deadlines.
• Good communication skills, with experience handling complex customer enquiries.
• Experience using a local authority revenues system, such as NEC Revenues & Benefits or Civica, would be advantageous.

Additional Information

• Initial 3-month contract with potential for extension.
• Hybrid working arrangement offering 3 days working from home and 2 days in the office.
• £29.85 per hour, paid weekly via umbrella company.

If you have previous experience in Business Rates administration within a local authority and are interested in this opportunity, please apply with your most up-to-date CV.
Please note: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via telephone or email.