Billing Analyst

BILLING ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: BILLING ANALYST
POSITION ID NUMBER:


DEPARTMENT: ACCOUNTING & FINANCE

REPORTS TO: BILLING SYSTEM SUPERVISOR
PAY GRADE: $31.07 PER HOUR/$64,625.60 ANNUAL

FLSA STATUS: SALARY - EXEMPT

JOB SUMMARY: Performs advanced billing, account analysis, reporting, research, and other specialized functions within the Accounting & Finance Department. Serves as a key resource for complex billing and payment issues and assumes responsibility for assigned billing processes and projects. Develops an in depth working knowledge of the District's Utility Billing and Customer Information Systems processes and provides backup to any of the positions within the Billing and Office Admin Departments, including designated responsibilities of the Billing System Supervisor. This position does not supervise employees but is expected to assist with training and provide technical guidance to other staff within the department.

Incumbents are expected to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and persistence when resolving issues by investigating discrepancies using multiple sources of information, questioning inconsistencies, and identifying root causes rather than simply correcting problems.

Incumbents in this position will be held to the District's Gold Standard for Customer Service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs advanced billing and account analysis, including researching unusual or complex billing, payment, and account issues and determining appropriate resolutions.
2. Assists with the District's billing processes by reviewing billing activity, researching exceptions and irregularities, and helping ensure billing is completed accurately and timely.
3. Analyzes reports, account information, consumption history, payment activity, and other data to identify discrepancies, trends, and potential problems.
4. Provides primary billing support for District lessees and users of the multipurpose/conference center, including preparing invoices, maintaining accounts, monitoring balances, and resolving billing discrepancies.
5. Assists the Billing System Supervisor with monitoring billing operations, reporting, process reviews, system issues, and special projects.
6. Provides backup for designated billing, payment, AR, and other departmental functions and develop sufficient knowledge of the Billing Lead's and Billing System Supervisor's responsibilities to provide operational backup when needed.
7. Serves as a technical resource to Billing Specialists and other staff by assisting with complex billing, payment, account, and system related questions.
8. Assists with training and cross training employees on billing processes, system functionality, and departmental procedures.
9. Assists with testing and implementing system changes, researching software issues, and identifying opportunities to improve billing accuracy, efficiency, and automation.
10. Writes/creates, creates, maintains, and analyzes reports using Cognos, Microsoft Excel, and other applicable tools to support billing, revenue, accounts receivable, and management needs.
11. Maintains accurate records and supporting documentation and ensures billing and financial information is properly maintained.
12. Other miscellaneous job-related tasks as

The preceding is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The principal duties and responsibilities enumerated are all essential job functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma plus five to nine years of experience - or
Associate's Degree plus three to five years of experience - or

Bachelor's Degree plus zero to two years of experience

Desired degree specialization or emphasis in Accounting or Business Administration

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Must possess a strong natural curiosity and investigative mindset, demonstrating the ability and desire to recognize inconsistencies, question assumptions, connect related information, and independently research complex issues until their root cause is understood and accurately resolved.
2. General knowledge of accounting principles and practices, particularly as they relate to billing, AR, payments, revenue, reconciliations, and financial records. Education, training, or experience in general accounting is preferred.
3. Ability to develop a strong understanding of District systems and processes and how they affect related billing, accounting, customer service, and operational functions.
4. Ability to analyze data, identify trends and discrepancies, and use available reporting tools to support billing and operational decisions.
5. Ability to independently manage assigned processes, projects, or areas of responsibility and ensure accurate and timely completion.
6. Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments, prioritize competing demands, and follow through to completion.
7. Ability to develop expertise and effectively share knowledge by explaining processes, procedures, and system functions and providing technical guidance to coworkers.
8. Ability and willingness to learn designated responsibilities of the Billing System Supervisor, Lead, Office Admins, and other staff to provide effective operational backup when needed.
9. Ability to understand how individual responsibilities affect broader District operations and begin to develop the judgment to anticipate needs, identify potential problems, and recognize opportunities before they arise.
10. Ability to work independently within established policies and procedures, determine when issues require supervisory involvement, and follow through without constant direction.
11. Ability to communicate effectively with customers, employees, lessees/facilities users, vendors, and management to handle complex situations professionally.

TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

1. Demonstrated proficiency in the District's Customer Information System, Utility Billing, AR, and other applicable software applications, with the ability to learn and develop proficiency in Cognos and other systems as required by the position.
2. Ability to accurately analyze, reconcile, and verify billing, payment, account, and financial information and identify discrepancies requiring further research.
3. Ability to identify, analyze, research, and resolve complicated problems using system information, historical data, reports, and other available resources.
4. Ability to research, document, update, and follow through on technical support cases, including communicating effectively with vendors, IT staff, and other appropriate parties.
5. Ability to recognize whether issues with software can be resolved through established procedures or requires escalation to the supervisor, IT, or vendor.
6. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including intermediate formulas and functions, Vlookups, conditional formatting, sorting, filtering, and other tools used to analyze and reconcile data.
7. Ability to write, interpret, and analyze reports using Cognos or other applicable reporting tools.
8. Demonstrated working knowledge of general accounting principles and practices as they apply to the revenue/payment cycle.
9. Ability to accurately maintain databases, electronic records, supporting documentation, and other information necessary to support billing and financial operations.
10. Ability to compose professional correspondence, procedures, technical documentation, and routine reports using appropriate grammar and business etiquette.
11. Ability to quickly learn and effectively apply new software, functions, process, and technology.
12. Enrollment in or successful completion of:
    • The District's preferred Microsoft Excel Intermediate through Advanced courses within 90 days of hire.
    • The District's preferred Customer Service Basic through Advanced courses (must include dealing with difficult customers and/or escalated cases) within 90 days of hire.
    • The District's preferred cardholder information security course, if applicable.
    • Successful completion of the District's preferred 'Writing for Business' course.
    • Ongoing participation in and successful completion of the District's Leadership program.

OTHER FACTORS:

1. Must be appropriately attired for an office
2. Regular attendance is
3. May be required to work other than normal work schedule, with the potential of longer than 8 hours a day and weekends.
4. Physical Effort: Requires sitting for long periods of time, viewing and working on a computer for long periods of time, standing, bending, and light lifting.
5. DRUG TESTING FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS: Employees in this classification will be tested for illegal drugs in accordance with the District's Drug Free Workplace Policy.

By signing I acknowledge the District's expectations for me to perform all the essential functions and maintain the essential competencies as provided herein:

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