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.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:

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.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

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.