Accounting Specialist - Utility Billing

GENERAL

PURPOSE:

Performs specialized journey-level accounting and customer service work in support of the City's utility billing program. Maintains and processes utility accounts, billing records, payments, adjustments, and related financial transactions while ensuring accurate billing, compliance with established policies and procedures, and responsive service to utility customers.

Performs specialized journey-level accounting and customer service work in support of the City's utility billing program. Maintains and processes utility accounts, billing records, payments, adjustments, and related financial transactions while ensuring accurate billing, compliance with established policies and procedures, and responsive service to utility customers.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to perform specialized journey level accounting duties to ensure an accurate process of accounting activities on a City wide basis. The nature of the work requires that the incumbent is detail oriented and able to independently perform standard financial record keeping tasks involving utility billing. Work is performed with considerable independence according to established department or accounting procedures.

The Accounting Specialist – Utility Billing reports to the Business Services Manager.

• Processes the daily functions of utility billing for the city’s water, sewer, stormwater.
• Processes meter reads and utility bills accurately and timely; analyzes and reconciles bills, payments, and other transactions; opens new utility accounts, maintains current accounts and processes disconnections.
• Generates, processes and reviews past due, red tags and shut off notices.
• Demonstrates a high degree of knowledge of the utility billing software and billing process and ability to research and resolve utility billing issues.
• Assists customers with utility account issues; analyzes water consumption; and requests meter re-reads and meter checks.
• Responds to inquiries regarding billing, fees, delinquencies, disconnections, re-reads and general procedural information.
• Coordinates with meter reader to maintain status of account activities and compliance issues.
• Reads, interprets, applies and explains codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• May provide assistance to the public in a pleasant and courteous manner; may print reports and reconcile payments.
• Attends work on a regular and dependable basis.
• Interacts in a professional and respectful manner with city staff and the public.

• Answers phone and takes messages for Department; issues forms to the public; serves as backup to phones. Performs other tasks as assigned.
• Processes refunds or adjustments as needed.
• May assist with various projects as assigned by Business Services Manager, Accounting Manager & Finance Director.

SELECTION FACTORS:

(Applicants should describe their previous experience and training for each of the following selection factors. These factors will be the basis for selecting the most qualified applicants to be interviewed. Candidates selected for employment must satisfactorily demonstrate possession of these factors during a prescribed probationary period, and afterwards, for continued employment.)

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, codes and regulations related to assigned activities.
• Municipal administration, organization, codes and terminology.
• Basic principles and procedures of utility billing and collections, accounting, bookkeeping and statistical reporting.
• Principles and practices of record keeping and document control.
• City operations, policies, and objectives.
• General office practices and procedures.

• Learn and develop proficiency in the operation of the city's computer network system and financial software;
• Learn new procedures, prioritize work, and meet deadlines;
• Perform mathematical computations with speed and accuracy using a 10-key adding machine or calculator by touch;
• Maintain detailed, accurate records and to print legibly;
• Greet and deal with the public in a courteous and pleasant manner;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to accurately apply established guidelines to varies situations;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees in all departments, co-workers, and the public;
• Provide quality services in a cost-effective manner and to recommend improved methods of performing the work;
• Physically perform the essential functions of the job.

(Persons applying for a position of this class should have any combination of the following experience and training.)

High school diploma or GED. Two years of progressively responsible experience in an office setting; preferably with accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, or utility and other billing experience; or substituting course work or training in bookkeeping or…