Customer Accounting Specialist 2 (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)

Spokane County · $46,717–$65,395 (stated in the posting)

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Employee Type:

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Job Summary:

Job Description:

The following documents are required to be submitted with your application. Applications that do not include all required documents may not be considered:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Enters time cards for the Utilities Division, coordinates payroll processing, prepares payroll reports, matches leave requests to time cards, prepares leave balance reports, resolves discrepancies, and provides information for audits.
• Prepares and processes payment documents (vouchers) and purchase orders.
• Maintains a petty cash account, keeps records and balances in accordance with auditor policies and practices.
• Maintains accounts and records for printing and mailing of bills.  Works cooperatively with other staff and departments to obtain information necessary for billing.
• Processes sewer customer payments on a daily basis, resolves payment problems, prints reports, maintains records of adjustments and reconciles daily ledger, determines refunds, and resolves customer account problems.
• Researches questions regarding site, parcel number, legal description, subdivision, lot, and block information in regards to legal ownership, delinquent accounts, and recorded liens using computer database systems, parcel and sewer maps, legal documents, permits, and other paper records.
• Monitors accounts, identifies delinquencies, sends out lien warning letters, and coordinates payment arrangements with owners/taxpayers/tenants for past due accounts prior to filing a lien against the property.
• Reviews payments on liens and prepares and processes paperwork to release liens.
• Provides research and analysis to diagnose and resolve problems on billing accounts, and to update billing account information.
• Obtains data, including historical water consumption records and computes appropriate billing amounts.
• Establishes new accounts to be billed, including research on ownership, legal descriptions, and basis for establishing fees and charges to new billing accounts.  Establishes Aquifer Protection Area Fees, Capital Facilities Charges, General Facilities Charges, and Sewer Service Charges and initiates fees and charges on customer accounts.
• Prepares, prints, and circulates reports on accounts, to other staff and departments.
• Reviews Aquifer Protection Area Fees and commercial account Sewer Service Charges annually for changes to the basis, and revise fees and charges, as appropriate.
• Certifies annual Aquifer Protection Area Fees to the Treasurer’s office for placement on tax statements.
• Researches and processes segregations and aggregations of tax parcels, as necessary to revise existing billing accounts, or establish new billing accounts.
• Communicates with customers regarding questions, complaints, or requests regarding customer accounts or billing.  Explains customer rate schedules to customers.  Researches account history and provide answers to questions.  Resolves customer billing problems or errors, as appropriate.
• Answers phones and greets visitors; screens calls, directs calls to appropriate parties; refers callers or visitors to the correct destination; takes messages and/or provides routine information regarding the office function.
• Opens, sorts, date stamps and distributes incoming mail; prepares outgoing mail.
• Gathers, organizes, copies, binds, and prepares documents, files and informational packets.
• Processes routine drafts, proofreads, edits or performs data entry for a variety of documents such as correspondence, agendas, schedules and forms. 
• Maintains databases such as address lists, inventory check-out records and/or visitor records.
• Sorts, files, and tabulates various documents, records, maps, microfilm, etc.; and prepares new files or categories within established filing systems; enters and retrieves data using electronic files; removes and logs materials; maintains status and file reports.
• Scans documents and images into the computer system; identifies key informational items and indexes for document recall.
• Cross checks and tabulates standard information; checks incoming forms and documents for required information; extracts and compiles statistical data; assembles reports.
• Runs office errands such as picking up mail and reports and distributing files.
• Assists others by providing work guidance or direction.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Seven (7) years of accounting related work experience.
• Successful completion of an AA degree in Accounting or equivalent accounting related course work for up to one half of the required work experience.
• NOTE:  Positions allocated to this classification must successfully pass an appropriate background check and are required to be bondable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of customer service techniques and phone etiquette.
• Knowledge of administrative support functions and practices.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques and phone etiquette.
• Knowledge of accounting practices applicable to the position.
• Knowledge of operations, functions, codes, policies, procedures, practices, and terminology specific to Utilities Division billing and payments.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and descriptions relevant to the position.
• Knowledge of basic English composition, spelling, grammar, and other support skills necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Knowledge of certain databases necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, practices, and procedures necessary to perform the duties of the position, including basic accounting.
• Knowledge of lien procedures.
• Knowledge of Auditor’s office recording and Treasurer’s office filing procedures.
• Knowledge of County Urban Growth Areas that have sewer, or future areas to be sewered.
• Knowledge of billing and payment procedures.
• Knowledge of payroll functions and practices.
• Knowledge of applicable state and local laws.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, including County leadership, department officials, employees, regulatory agencies and the public.
• Skilled in answering phones and greeting visitors.
• Skilled in applying customer service techniques.
• Skilled in performing mathematical calculations.
• Skilled in using office equipment such as phones, copiers, calculators and fax machines.
• Skilled in using computer and related software applications.
• Skilled in advanced word processing.
• Ability to operate standard office machines and equipment, including database, word processing, and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to perform specialized administrative, financial, and accounting type work involving independent judgment.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and apply mathematical formulas.
• Ability to explain billing structure, rates, bills, payments, and computations effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to maintain complex records and files, and to prepare technical, legal or statistical reports.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to resolve problems, use discretion, and make rational independent judgments.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.
• Ability to follow written or oral instructions in a responsible and efficient manner.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:

• Respect:   Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness.  Communicating in a productive and professional manner.   
• Accountability:   Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
• Integrity:   Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation:   Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.

Total Compensation:

Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Please select the link below to view Spokane County Benefits:

• Benefits | Spokane County, WA

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