Specialist: Debt Collector (10630) Jobs

Job Purpose

To apply advanced knowledge of debt collection processes for outstanding debts and returns related to CIT, PIT, PAYE, VAT, and Customs and Excise taxes. This includes specializing in one primary area, such as Customs and Excise, Business Rescue, International Collections, Criminal Investigations, or Voluntary Liquidations. Use face-to-face, virtual, and digital methods in line with South African tax laws and SARS policies. Meet specific deadlines to support SARS’ strategic goals, improve service delivery, and ensure compliance. Handle complex situations and guide junior staff.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification and Experience Required

• A relevant bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) and 5-7 years of debt collection experience or in a similar environment, including 2-3 years at a skilled technical level.

OR

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) and 10 years of related experience, including 2-3 years at a skilled technical level.

Job Outputs

Process

• Gather information to track work progress, support reporting, decision-making, and identify improvement opportunities.
• Analyze money movements using third-party data like SARB and banks for debt collection.
• Apply knowledge of methods, systems, and procedures to spot trends and risks.
• Communicate insights and judgments on work outputs and queries in your area of expertise.
• Follow policies, standards, procedures, and legislation to deliver work effectively.
• Use experience to diagnose and solve emerging problems.
• Prevent, detect, and investigate commercial crimes in debt management, such as fraud or corruption, and support law enforcement when needed.
• Handle withdrawal of customs bonds and write-off cases for complex taxpayers, presenting them to committees for approval.
• Identify risks of asset dissipation and secure preservation orders.
• Spot serious tax or customs offenses, complete reports, and refer to experts if needed.
• Coach and mentor staff at all levels, from beginner to advanced.
• Lead process changes, implement them, and provide guidelines for new requirements.
• Issue final demands, tax payment agreements, civil judgments, or writs of execution for non-compliant taxpayers, including personal liability cases.
• Analyze bank statements, cash flows, assets, liabilities, and financial statements, especially in complex structures.
• Plan improvements and initiatives to meet operational goals.
• Prepare payment arrangements and handle deferment requests within set timelines.
• Issue liens for customs and excise debts for complex taxpayers.
• Profile taxpayers, review accounts, and engage those with outstanding debts or returns.
• Contribute to updates in policies, procedures, and laws to improve revenue collection.
• Support litigation for liquidation or sequestration against non-compliant taxpayers.
• Investigate opportunities to optimize operations, processes, products, and risks.
• Resolve escalations for complex issues, such as CMO queries or ombudsman cases.

Governance

• Implement and contribute to governance, compliance, integrity, and ethics processes in your area.

People

• Build and maintain strong relationships with peers and team members to meet objectives.
• Seek, integrate, and share new knowledge from learning opportunities.

Finance

• Follow policies and procedures to ensure cost-effectiveness and reduce expenses.

Client

• Promote a culture of service excellence, build positive relationships, and encourage feedback.
• Provide expert advice and services to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural Competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Respect
• Trust

Technical Competencies

• Business Acumen
• Business Knowledge
• Business Writing Skills
• Customer Liaison
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Debt Management
• Efficiency Improvement
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Legal Compliance
• Negotiation Skills
• Planning and Organising
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Quality Orientation
• Reporting
• Risk Identification
• Verbal Communication