Accountant III - AR Research

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

3d•$4,500 - $4,800•Onsite

About The Position

The Accountant III - AR Research position is in the Chief Financial Office’s Accounting Department at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It performs moderately complex, journey-level accounting work under general supervision, with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment. The role handles billing, collections, reconciliation, and late-fee assessments for Access Rules, along with processing refunds, fund moves, claim setups, and other Accounts Receivable requests. Work includes researching and processing financial information in client-based accounting systems, communicating with clients and internal and external accounting teams, and maintaining the confidentiality of client information. Funds must be deposited within 72 hours of receipt, in accordance with applicable federal and state guidelines and Senate Bill 245. The position is full-time, nonexempt, and based in an Austin office; it is not eligible for telework. The stated schedule is weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with travel up to 20%.

Requirements

At least three years of billing, collections, financial research, accounting, finance, or cash-handling experience in a related field.
At least three years of customer service, accounting, bookkeeping, or cash-handling experience using an automated accounting system.
Experience using automated accounting or customer database systems.
At least three years of experience using Microsoft Office Suite, as stated in the position overview.
High school graduation or equivalent.
Knowledge of billing, collections, research, customer service, reconciliation, cash handling or fund processing, and policies and procedures for handling and reconciling funds.
Skill using office equipment, computers, and software applications.
Skill in identifying and resolving problems.
Ability to interpret and apply accounting data and work accurately with numerical detail.
Ability to meet established deadlines and prepare accurate reports.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with clients, providers, agency staff, and others.
Ability to work under moderate supervision with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
Ability to work closely with a team, meet hard deadlines in a changing environment, act professionally and respectfully, and remain composed in stressful situations.
Excellent written communication, assessed through the detail and completeness of information on the state application.

Nice To Haves

State or governmental accounting experience is preferred.
Experience using Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare refund requests, SARS, fund moves, and related requests received in the ARTS Corrections inbox; perform billing, collections, reconciliation, and late-fee assessments for Access Rules.
Complete provider claim setups received in the ARTS Claims inbox.
Assist with State Reviews, one-time debit requests from SNAP, and other requests received in the ARTS Projects inbox.
Process returned mail and client requests, including address changes, deceased-client updates, case and payment histories, Fair Hearing Appeal requests, liability disputes, and documentation requests.
Retrieve after-hours voicemails and return client calls as needed.
Process Treasury Offset Program and Inspector General repayment agreements.
Answer incoming calls and collection calls as assigned, provide account information using databases, and respond to inquiries from clients overpaid by SNAP or TANF.
Create, work, and monitor client workflow logs in the Accounts Receivable Tracking System for claim changes, reviews, and refund requests.
Verify client account accuracy, address discrepancies, and update information as requested or needed.
Assist with new ARTS user setups, password resets, TOP file uploads and downloads, and pending TOP collection lists.
Communicate with internal and external accounting teams by phone, email, and Microsoft Teams to process fund moves, claim setups, refunds, and other requests.
Cross-train in other Accounts Receivable areas and provide backup as assigned by management.
Complete special assignments to meet business needs and deadlines.
Attend work regularly, follow assigned schedules and agency leave policy, and perform other duties as assigned; overtime or extended or rotating shifts may sometimes be required.