Accounting Specialist/Utility Customer Service & Accounts Payable

Accounting Specialist/Utility Customer Service & Accounts Payable

Salary Range: $22.00 - $26.00 Hourly; $45,760 - $54,080 Annually

Business Hours: Monday Thursday 6am. 4:30 pm. Lunch 12:00 12:30

The principal function of an employee in this class is to provide effective customer service, process accounts receivable, answer phones, process invoices and bills and prepare semi-monthly payments, perform general clerical and accounting support duties and records maintenance. An Accounting Specialist must possess strong accounting, clerical, and customer service skills; he/she acquires knowledge of department functions through on-the-job experience and becomes a specialist with a good working knowledge of policies and procedures. The work is performed under the supervision of the Clerk of the Board, although some latitude is granted for independent judgment using standard practices to resolve customer issues or correct procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.

Essential Utility Duties and Responsibilities:

Answers incoming phone calls and greets walk-in customers, provides general information to the public, answers questions and inquiries, provides specific information about accounts, as needed;

Assists customers with department procedures and explains department procedures/policies/programs to customers and resolves customer concerns;

Processes and receives payments, balances cash, reviews billings, records account information, and tracks changes. Research account status for payment history; research special issues and makes appropriate recommendations;

Prepares, distributes, and maintains a variety of documents, correspondence, log sheets, applications, and related documents.

Maintains files, logs and other records; Provides data entry services, faxing, typing, and filing in support of department functions; Processes and receives payments, misc. receivable, balances daily cash, reviews billings, records account information, and tracks changes. Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with District policies, procedures, and safety practices. Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Operation of standard office equipment, including a personal computer and job-related software applications; Customer service procedures and techniques; English grammar and punctuation Current office practices and procedures; Accounting, bookkeeping, and cash handling record keeping practices and procedures; Account collection procedures.

Ability to: Follow written and oral instructions; Learn district functions thoroughly to provide general information and explain detailed department processes and procedures; Learn and explain regulatory compliance issues related to the assigned department's function; Maintain records efficiently and accurately and to prepare clear and concise reports; Research information and data and prepare reports; Multi-task with numerous and frequent interruptions; Perform duties accurately and efficiently under time sensitive deadlines; Respond courteously to customer and vendor inquiries, which are sometimes controversial or adversarial; Work well under pressure; Operate standard office equipment and a personal computer including program applications appropriate to assigned duties; Maintain effective working relationships with other District employees, supervisory personnel, local elected officials, vendors, and the public; Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Acceptable Experience and Training: High school diploma or GED equivalency; preferably supplemented with course work in accounting, math or other business applications; Five (5) years accounting, billing, and clerical experience Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work. Essential Physical Abilities: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person; Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, prepare and review documents and process them in a prescribed order, and organize documents and materials; Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a personal computer, cash register, and standard office equipment; Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, and balance, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment.