Senior Accountant-Revenue Administration & Utility Billing

Accounting Position

Under general supervision, performs professional-level accounting duties related to the development, maintenance, and control of the City's accounting systems and financial records; prepares financial and statistical reports in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards; performs general ledger, treasury, accounts receivable, business license, and revenue-related accounting functions; supports utility billing oversight, revenue administration, and fee compliance activities; assists in safeguarding the integrity of the City's revenue cycle through accurate billing, collection, reconciliation, and reporting processes; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives general supervision from the Finance Director or Assistant Finance Director. May provide technical and functional guidance related to revenue processes, utility billing operations, and assigned staff functions; does not exercise full supervisory authority unless formally designated.

Examples of essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Maintain, reconcile, and analyze general ledger accounts and subsidiary ledgers.
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, financial reports, and supporting schedules.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports.
• Support annual audit activities and prepare requested audit schedules and documentation.
• Assist with budget preparation, financial forecasting, and revenue analysis.
• Maintain and monitor internal controls related to financial transactions and reporting.
• Perform treasury, cash management, bank reconciliation, and accounts receivable functions.
• Review and analyze utility billing reconciliation reports and revenue trends.
• Reconcile utility billing system activity, accounts receivable balances, and cash receipts to the general ledger.
• Provide technical oversight and accounting support related to utility billing revenue processes.
• Monitor internal controls related to utility billing and receivable functions.
• Identify billing discrepancies, revenue leakage, and process deficiencies; recommend corrective actions and process improvements.
• Review and validate billing reports and reconciliation outputs generated through utility billing systems.
• Provide technical accounting support related to utility billing operations and revenue processes.
• Monitor and reconcile business license revenues and related accounts receivable activity.
• Ensure proper recording, tracking, and reporting of business license fees and collections.
• Assist in maintaining the City's fee schedules to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with adopted resolutions, ordinances, and City policies.
• Coordinate with operating departments to support consistent application of City fees, billing procedures, and revenue collection practices.
• Coordinate with departments regarding implementation and reconciliation of approved fees, rates, charges, and penalties.
• Review proposed fee updates and assist in analyzing fiscal impacts and revenue implications.
• Ensure revenues are properly implemented within applicable financial, billing, and permitting systems.
• Assist in strengthening internal controls over revenue collection, billing, receivables, and cash handling processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, municipal codes, City policies, and adopted fee schedules.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to improve efficiency, accuracy, customer service, and revenue accountability.
• Prepare and maintain documentation related to procedures, reconciliations, and revenue processes.
• Assist in identifying internal control weaknesses, revenue risks, and operational inefficiencies; recommend and implement corrective actions to improve accountability and safeguard City revenues.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities to:

• Principles and practices of governmental accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards.
• Accounts receivable, revenue collection, and reconciliation practices.
• Utility billing systems, revenue processes, and customer account administration.
• Municipal fee administration and revenue compliance practices.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel functions, financial reporting systems, ERP systems, utility billing systems, database applications, and techniques for analyzing and reconciling large and complex financial datasets. Experience with Tyler Technologies or similar integrated municipal financial systems is highly desirable.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Analyze financial data and prepare accurate financial reports and reconciliations.
• Utilize advanced spreadsheet and database tools to analyze, reconcile, interpret, and report large volumes of financial and operational data accurately and efficiently.
• Identify discrepancies, process deficiencies, and revenue-related issues.
• Interpret and apply accounting standards, policies, ordinances, and fee schedules.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with departments, staff, and the public.
• Provide technical guidance related to revenue and billing processes.
• Handle sensitive customer issues professionally and effectively.
• Organize work, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, preferably within a municipal or governmental environment. Experience with utility billing, accounts receivable, business licensing, revenue management, or governmental financial systems is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

Due to the performance of duties that may require the operation of a City or personal vehicle, possession of a valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record may be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment and may require occasional travel to off-site facilities. Duties involve prolonged and intermittent periods of sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, and twisting while performing desk work and operating standard office equipment, including computers and keyboards. The position requires sufficient manual dexterity to operate office equipment and utilize computer systems for extended periods of time.

The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and during internal and public meetings. Visual acuity is required to read correspondence, financial reports, statistical data, and computer screens. Hearing acuity is required to effectively communicate with staff, customers, and the public both in person and over the telephone.

The work environment is generally quiet with a low noise level. The employee may be required to lift, carry, and move files, reports, and office materials weighing up to 25 pounds, including retrieving materials from shelves, cabinets, and file drawers.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Disaster Service Workers:

In accordance with California Government Code Sections 3100–3109, all public employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers. Public employees include all individuals employed by the State, counties, cities, public agencies, and special districts. As Disaster Service Workers, employees may be required to participate in disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and related emergency service activities as assigned by their employer or as otherwise provided by law.

The City of Brawley is committed to emergency preparedness and response. Disaster response plans are regularly evaluated, training exercises and drills are conducted, and employees may participate in emergency preparedness activities to support continuity of essential public services.

Please Note:

Candidates determined to be most qualified, based on the information provided in their application materials, will be invited to continue in the recruitment process. Final candidates may be required to successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprinting. Any criminal conviction history will be evaluated in relation to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position and in accordance with applicable laws. A criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Relevant factors may include, but are not limited to, the nature and severity of the offense, the date of the offense, surrounding circumstances, and its relevance to the position.

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Specific assignments and responsibilities may vary based on the operational needs of the department.