Accounting Specialist III – Billing and Collections Coordinator

This position is the third classification in the paraprofessional Accounting Billing and Collections series. Incumbents are expected to operate at an experienced senior level coordinator to the Accounting Billing and Collections I & II positions, and will perform specialized accounting functions, such as accounts receivable, utility billing, cash receipting, and requires detailed knowledge of the purposes, methods, and practices of financial recordkeeping in the assigned area(s) of specialty.

This position will act as the lead for billing and collections and will lead the work of other billing and collection staff and will perform complex accounting functions involving recurrent situations in which usual procedures do not apply. The work requires detailed knowledge of the purpose, methods, and practices of professional financial recordkeeping. This position is expected to exercise independent judgment within the framework of existing accounting policies and procedures.

This position provides primary customer related services to the City’s billed customers for water, wastewater, stormwater, airport, leases, loan and assessment, City collected taxes, franchise, grants, and other miscellaneous services. Duties include billing all of the City’s customers and collecting payments. This position also includes researching and responding to customer questions and complaints and maintaining the City’s lien docket.

• Prepare and review all billing and collection bills, statements, reports, and worksheets generated from a variety of preliminary reports, data, accounting records and computer products in accordance with specific reporting formats and established fundamental accounting principles.
• In the absence of the Billing and Collections Manager, may act as lead billing and collections staff in daily operations, including scheduling and monitoring performance as necessary.
• Generate and upload accurate reporting that links to other software throughout the City.
• Prepare, interpret, and review complex materials through the comprehensive understanding and technical application of policies, procedures, terminology, past practices, and various applicable statutes.
• Answer internal and external customer questions and provide advice which involves applying existing policies and procedures.
• Guides billing and collections staff through customer questions and provides advice by applying existing policies and procedures.
• Guides billing and collections staff with drafting and updating billing and collections policies and procedures and recommending changes as needed. Provide backup of other Utility Billing and or Finance Department positions due to absences.
• Participate in internal controls for billing and collections systems and make recommendations for improvement.
• Communicate effectively with customers to clearly ascertain the concerns raised and respond courteously, promptly, and accurately.
• Operate a cash drawer to collect, balance, review, and account for all funds on a daily basis.
• Work closely with City staff to coordinate and validate customer billings.
• Establish and maintain statistical, bookkeeping and accounting control records.
• Create, maintain, and revise complex spreadsheets and records.
• Assist in the implementation and operation of financial computer software.
• May operate a City vehicle to attend meetings, trainings, deliver mail, etc.
• Serve as a member of various employee committees.
• Perform general office duties and other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements: An Associates Degree in accounting, finance or related field and a minimum of five (5) years progressively more responsible experience including working with the public, computerized accounting systems, and interpretation of legal standards. Experience may be supplemented by business school or college course work equal to two years technical college; or any equivalent combination of verifiable work experience, education and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the above-described duties.

• Considerable knowledge of customer service procedures, office practices…