Senior Debt Collector at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To effectively apply debt enforcement collection processes on outstanding debt and returns for CIT, PIT, PAYE, VAT and basic Customs and Excise tax types, through face-to-face, virtual, and digital platforms, in line with the relevant South African Tax Laws and SARS policies and procedures within specific turnaround times to deliver on the SARS strategic objectives. Ensure enhanced service delivery and compliance, with minimal guidance to handle unique or more complex situations in a range of actual situations and impart some knowledge to beginner and intermediate roles.

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF7) in Accounting (similar) or Law and minimum 6 years in Debt Management Level (Customs or Tax).

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Knowledge of Estates process (Liquidations &Insolvencies).
• Knowledge of Insolvency Act, Companies Act & TA Act
• Detailed knowledge of Estate Duty collections
• Analysing statutory reports (CM26, First, Second & Special meeting reports)
• Lodging of claims (Deceased, Liquidations & Insolvencies)
• Analyse L&D accounts (Deceased, Liquidations & Insolvencies)
• Objection to L&D accounts

Job Outputs:

Process

• Accumulate information and provide reports with recommendations applicable to area of specialisation.
• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Effectively plan and schedule own activities to continuously improve quality and service delivery in area of specialisation.
• Execute process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.
• Facilitate completion of Withdrawal of Customs Bonds and Write off cases and presentation to relevant Committees for approval.
• Identify matters relating to Business Rescue; International Collections; Criminal Investigations or Voluntary Liquidations and refer to relevant unit or responsible person.
• Identify Serious Tax/Customs and Excise Offences, complete STO/RSN. and/or hand over to relevant Subject expert.
• Impart knowledge, coach, and mentor employees at Beginner and Intermediate roles.
• Issue Final Demand, TPA, Civil Judgement, and/or Writ of Execution to taxpayers that remains non-compliant (for all debt collection processes including Personal Liability) and communicate request outcomes as required.
• Perform detail analysis of bank statements, cash flow statements, assets and liabilities statements including performing a basic of interpretation of financial statements.
• Prepare and complete any Compromise requests, Suspension of Payment in consideration of the Dispute Management process.
• Prepare and complete Payment Arrangements for requests for all Deferment requests (simplified and non-simplified) within the specified turnaround times.
• Prepare and issue a Lien for debt related to Customs and Excise debt.
• Profile a taxpayer, interpret statement of account, and engage taxpayers with outstanding debt and outstanding returns.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process, product and risk optimisation.
• Resolve Escalations (CMO queries, Ombudsman cases, etc).
• Use practical and applied knowledge and situational judgement to arrive at decisions.

Governance

• Comply to set governance and compliance procedures and processes related to an area of specialisation and continuously identify and escalate risks.

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.
• Ensure own understanding and adherence to customer service delivery and provide specialist support to meet or exceed customer expectations.

Behavioural competencies

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

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
• Tax Knowledge
• Verbal Communication

Deadline:13th May,2026