Housing Income Officer

**Housing Income Officer**

AJ Chambers is delighted to be working with a leading charity locally that, due to growth, is looking for a Housing Income Officer to assist the Housing Income Controller in the management of company property rental income and tenant service charges.

This post is based within the Housing Income team that sits within the wider supported housing operational services, and more than just a finance role, you will be able to add real value and support the local community.

The Housing Income Team maintains very close links with our emergency and supported housing accommodation services teams throughout the borough to ensure efficient and effective processes are in place to manage rental income, rent top-up, service chargesand arrears with all our residents.

**Your Responsibilities**
- You will provide financial assistance to the Housing Income Controller and Operational teams.
- You will work under the leadership and guidance of the Housing Income Controller to provide a responsive and customer-orientated rent management service to Accommodation Managers and Residents.
- You will participate in the improvement of the company’s rent management and Housing Benefit system.

**Delivery**
- You will assist in setting up accommodation units and agreed rents on the system.
- You will assist in ensuring all accommodation charges and payments are made on each tenant and premises account.
- You will assist in managing the rent management system.
- You will assist in monitoring rent accounts.
- You will assist in managing the rent review and rent-setting process.
- You must help produce Housing Benefit and Service Charge reports to present at Company Rental Review Meetings.
- You will help prepare and distribute quarterly statements and monthly electronic statements.
- You must constructively share views and suggestions to improve the service as part of a team.
- You will help maintain accurate records a to the Housing Manual policies and procedures.
- You’ll help support, supervise, and oversee the work of the Accounting Assistant(s).
- You will assist in checking Housing Benefit notifications on the Southend Borough Council website.
- You will assist in the recording of housing benefits due and housing benefits received.
- You will assist in updating the occupancy details on the Housing Benefit spreadsheet taken from the weekly occupancy report.
- You will assist with checking the Housing Benefit Tenancy listing spreadsheet and liaise with Southend Borough Council Housing Benefits Department.
- You will assist in updating the rent statement spreadsheets weekly, with new service users, movers, and leavers, including any adjustments for working and overpayments.
- You must monitor and assist in updating the rent statement spreadsheets with cash payments and electronic payments via Allpay.
- You will monitor and assist in updating the balance of movers on the client database.
- You will assist with the reconciliation of cash received from QuickBooks to the service statement and housing benefit schedules.
- You must ensure filing is done in a timely and accurate manner.
- You will also be involved in monitoring and evaluating of housing history timeline, finances, databases, and internal and external quality assurance systems.
- You will utilise your management skills and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- You will assist in the preparation of a monthly report on housing benefits and rental income (service charge).
- You will be involved in the Housing Management for the business, and residents and supporting the community.
- You will be involved in assisting the wider team with Press and PR for the business.

**Your Skills, Qualifications and Experience**
- You are qualified to NVQ Level 3 / 4 in Business Administration or equivalent
- You have five GCSEs (or equivalent) including Mathematics and English
- It would be desirable if you are part-qualified AAT/ACCA/CIMA or Equivalent
- You have experience working in an accounting or Housing Income environment
- You have practical experience with computerised accounting systems including transaction processing, journals, and main ledger reconciliations
- You are highly numerate and have good financial awareness with the ability to keep accurate records and extract/interpret data and write reports
- You have clear communication skills
- You have time management and good organisational skills to work unsupervised and to strict deadlines
- You can stay focused and efficient in the face of changing priorities

**Remuneration and Rewards**
- Base Salary up to £29,432
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays with an extra day of leave awarded after 5 years' service
- Contributory workplace pension scheme
- Non-contributory Death in Service Scheme
- Hybrid working is available once settled

**_For further information on this exciting new Housing Income Officer position, please contact Darren Buckley at AJ Chambers_