Collections for Local Authorities

“Engaging with Dara (KPI Consulting Ireland) has allowed us to critically analyse our current processes and procedures, identify our inefficiencies and design new strategies which has resulted in dramatically improved performance, from both our team and our financials. Dara worked with management and staff to identify areas for improvement, and assisted with the identification of a suitable system that would fulfil our needs. This system, and process, has become an integral part of our operation, and has significantly improved our efficiencies. Since this project, Dara has worked with other Departments within this County Council, and has delivered similar results. I would be delighted to recommend him to any County Council and am confident of the value that he brings.”
Seamus Begley, Head of Management Accounting, Wexford County Council

Are you falling behind with your collections?

Based on the annual returns for County Councils in Ireland (2016 – 2018), the below are the average collections performances for each of the main revenue streams;

Commercial Rates: 87.44% - a 5% increase per year would increase collections by €98m

Rent & Annuities: 87.56% - a 5% increase per year would increase collections by €24m

Housing Loans: 77.76% - a 5% increase per year would increase collections by €4m

The area of housing loans is a growing concern, and a strategy needs to be implemented that achieves a goal for both the Council, and the borrower. And in comparison to financial institutions, both the Council and the borrowers objective is the same; the borrower must remain in the house. There may lie the challenge. And we have the solutions.

How we can help

We provide a number of services to identify areas of improvement and provide solutions to increase cash flow and collections performance

• Operational Audit

Independent overview of your operation. Conduct a review of your current procedures, identify areas of improvement and provide range of suitable solutions. Implement best collections practices for your specific product.

• Process Mapping & Implementation

Take a step back to look at what you do. Chart each step of your process, identify areas of wasted activity, and implement new streamlined processes to increase efficiencies. All presented in easy to read visual formats

• Structural Reorganisation

Ensure the people in your team are in the correct role and using their skills to improve performance and increase collections

• Team Culture Development

Develop an inclusive, competitive and supportive culture throughout your team

• Target Setting & Gamification

Motivate your team to ensure they have pride in their accomplishments and achieve performance targets. Create a competitive and fun environment which allows your team to show you how productive they are

• Systems Set up & Review

Analysis of current system usage and level of suitability. To increase productivity, the system needs to be built around an agreed process. If the system is utilised correctly, you team becomes ‘process driven’, which is more resilient, and easier to manage. If not, your process is ‘team driven’ which is not resilient, and a lot more difficult to manage

• Results & Analysis

Provide assistance with reporting requirements and the critical analysis of same. To identify the most effective methods of collections, it’s important to understand the reasons for specific results

At KPI Consulting, we understand that Local Authorities are very different to a Financial Services companies in many ways, especially the overall objectives. However, they have one thing in common….they both share the same customers.