Accountant III - Research

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

31d • Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Accountant III – Accounts Receivable (AR) Research Team This position is in the Chief Financial Office’s Accounting Department. If you have experience in research, customer service, reconciliation, accounting, bookkeeping, or cash-handling, this job opportunity is for you. Receive and prepare refund requests, fund moves, claim setups and additional requests sent in via email and USPS. Process and keep all client information remitted to the agency confidential. Research, analyze, sort, and process financial data utilizing multiple client-based accounting systems. Backup additional tasks and areas of Accounts Receivable (AR) as assigned by management. All tasks are performed in accordance with Federal and State guidelines managed by Senate Bill 245. Funds must be deposited within 72 hours of receipt. Job Description: Performs moderately complex (journey-level) accounting work. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position will be responsible for billing, collections, reconciliation, and late fee assessments for Access Rules. In addition, this position will be responsible for the following tasks.

Requirements

• You will need three years of customer service, accounting, bookkeeping, or cash-handling experience using an automated accounting system.
• You will need at least three years of experience in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Minimum 3 years of billing, collections, financial research, accounting, finance, or cash-handling experience in related field. State or Governmental accounting preferred.
• Experience using automated accounting or customer database systems.
• Experience using MS office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Excellent written communications as observed by detail and completeness of information provided on the state application.
• Graduated from High School or equivalent. Experience and higher-level education may be substituted for one another on a year-to-year basis.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to work closely on a team with varying personalities to meet hard deadlines in an ever-changing environment.
• Demonstrate professionalism, consideration, and respect for others in the workplace.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful work situations.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with internal and external accounting teams via phone, email, and MS Team meetings to prepare and process fund move requests, claim setups, refunds, and any additional incoming tasks.
• Answer incoming client calls and make outbound phone calls regarding client account information.
• Verify the accuracy of client account information and request workflow logs to address discrepancies.
• Monitor the progress of workflow log requests from clients in the Accounts Receivable Tracking System (ARTS).
• Prepare refund requests, SARS, and fund moves sent to the ARTS Corrections inbox. Billing, collections, reconciliation, and late fee assessments for Access Rules (50%)
• Complete Provider Claim setups sent to ARTS Claims inbox. (5%)
• Assist with State Reviews, one-time debit requests from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other requests sent to ARTS Projects inbox. (15%)
• Process returned mail and requests from clients including address changes, deceased client updates, complete client case/payment history requests, Fair Hearing Appeal requests, disputes of liability, documentation, retrieve after hours voicemails, and return client calls as needed. Process Treasury Offset Program (TOP) and Inspector General (IG) repayment agreements. (10%)
• Backup to the following tasks: Answer incoming calls determined by management to meet business needs. Take inbound collection calls and respond to inquiries from clients who were overpaid by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Provide account information to clients using various databases. Create, work, and monitor the progress of client workflow logs via the Accounts Receivable Tracking System (ARTS) for claim changes, reviews, and refund requests. Make outbound return calls to clients to provide account details and answer inquiries received via voicemail. Verify client account accuracy and update information as requested or needed. Assist with New ARTS user setups, ARTS password resets, and TOP file uploads/downloads and Pending Top Collection lists. (10%)
• Cross train in other areas of the Accounts Receivable Department to aid as a backup as needed and assigned by management. (5%)
• Work on special assignments as determined by management to accommodate business needs and deadlines. (5%)

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees