Account Specialist

JOB The Account Specialist performs a variety of intermediate to advanced clerical, mathematical and administrative work ensuring that the calculating, processing, recording, reviewing, posting, balancing, printing and reporting of daily and monthly financial activities are completed in a timely, accurate and efficient manner. This position also answers our high volume customer service phone line, processes property transfer requests and return mail. Extensive written and verbal contact with customers is required while researching, resolving and explaining billing and collection issues to the public, banking officials, attorneys, City employees and others.The work requires the exercise of independent decision-making within the framework of established City procedures and policies, with supervision provided by the Senior Account Specialist.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Accurately, timely and efficiently processes, prepares, reviews, collects, enters, posts, prints and/or reports daily and monthly accounts receivables and collection activities to include water & sewer, miscellaneous billings and personal property tax billings, adjustments, collections and terminations of service.• Answers high volume phone line.• Performs cashier duties• Processes the transfer of deeds; verifies that all City charges have been paid.• Researches and resolves billing and/or collection inquiries by phone, in person and by correspondence.• Researches and resolves issues as they become known.• Receives and distributes daily mail; processes returned mail.• Responsible for communicating with other City departments as needed; including the ability to communicate via two-way radio.• Calculates amounts owed, balances due, amounts paid and compares results with supporting documentation.• Maintains and secures documents and files.• Performs computation on office calculator.• Performs bookkeeping functions.• Performs any of the Senior Account Specialist and other Account Specialist responsibilities as needed.• Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: • High School graduate or equivalent.• Customer service experience.REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.): • Working knowledge of bookkeeping practices.• Strong mathematical and clerical skills, including the ability to perform basic math and monetary computation.• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and equipment.• Effective spoken and written (English) communication skills.• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers and public.• Efficiently operates a 10-key calculator.• Ability to multi-task.OTHER DESIRABLES: • Two (2) years of experience in an accounting position or two (2) years of college, to include basic accounting classes.• Ability to type 35 w.p.m.• Preference may be given for additional accounting experience or related education or work experience using computerized accounting system.• Utility billing work experience.• Microsoft Office experience.PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, to move about occasionally in an office type setting, to compile and retrieve information from computers, printers, fax machines, and storge areas The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITION: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to work in a typical office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.