Accountant- Accounts Receivable

City of Essex Junction•Essex Junction, VT

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Accountant- Accounts Receivable performs accounting functions related to the City’s utility, property tax, and miscellaneous accounts receivable within established procedures, policies, rules, and regulations. The role is responsible for accurate and timely billing, payment processing, and account maintenance, and works directly with customers to provide information and resolve account issues. It also supports the Finance Department through project work, policy and procedure maintenance, and backup coverage for Accountant I functions.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in an appropriate discipline and one year of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience providing comparable knowledge and skills.
Attention to detail and good organizational skills.
Proficiency in grammar, spelling, and mathematics.
Understanding of computer systems.
Strong experience using Microsoft programs, especially Excel, Acrobat Pro, and electronic filing systems.
Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to use discretion when handling confidential information.
Ability to interact courteously and efficiently with customers and residents, City officials and staff, and representatives of outside organizations.

Nice To Haves

Two to three years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Perform all utility billing functions, including creating bills, maintaining direct debit records, assessing interest and penalties, and processing direct debits.
Coordinate the water shut-off process with Public Works and Clerk staff.
Maintain the utility billing system.
Produce final utility bills and coordinate final meter reads.
Work with customers to provide information and resolve account issues in accordance with policies and procedures.
Initiate and oversee projects related to water meters and utility account maintenance.
Serve as Finance’s super-user for water meter reading software.
Perform property tax billing functions, including creating and revising bills, maintaining direct debit records, assessing interest and penalties, and processing direct debits.
Maintain the tax billing system.
Assist the Finance Director with the annual utility rate-setting process.
Prepare and issue miscellaneous accounts receivable billings for the City.
Maintain current procedures related to the position.
Interpret and execute statutes and local policies related to utility and tax billing.
Suggest policy and procedure updates based on statutes and recommended practices, and implement updates with staff and customers.
Serve as the primary backup for Accountant I functions, primarily bi-weekly payroll and accounts payable processing.
Assist other Finance Department staff when requested.

Benefits

Three weeks of paid vacation to start, increasing based on tenure.
14 paid holidays.
18 sick days per year.
Retirement benefits include a pension plan (VMERS C) or deferred compensation plan (VMERS DC), with the ability to contribute to a 457, Traditional IRA, or Roth account.
Health insurance: the City pays 94% of the medical premium and the first 80% of the deductible; employee responsibility after that is capped at $600 for single plans and $1,200 for other plans for covered medical expenses.
Monthly health insurance opt-out payments for employees with alternative coverage: $375.81 individual, $751.62 couple, $725.31 parent/child(ren), or $1,056.02 family.
Employer-paid dental and vision insurance.
Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
Hybrid work available.
Flexible work schedule available.
Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Program.