Accounting Specialist I –Billing & Collection Customer Service Representative

Redmond, City of•Redmond, OR

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs a limited variety of accounting, receptionist, and general office support duties, including customer service for the Billing and Collection division, acting as a City informational resource, sorting mail, cash receipting, processing vouchers, timesheets, City forms and permits, and accounts receivable for water, sewer, and storm water. Duties are performed in accordance with established procedures and specific instructions. The position provides primary customer-related services to the City’s utility customers for water, sewer, and storm water, including receiving customer payments via mail, in person, or over the internet, and researching and responding to customer questions and complaints.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED equivalent, plus an Associate’s degree in business administration or accounting.
Minimum of two (2) years verifiable work experience involving accounting or bookkeeping and more responsible service to the public.
Any equivalent combination of verifiable work experience, education and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the above-described duties.
Minimum of twelve (12) months’ verifiable work experience in a similar customer service position that worked with the general public.
Possession of, or required to obtain within thirty (30) days from date of hire, a valid Oregon driver’s license.
Must have a safe driving record.
Knowledge of customer service procedures.
Knowledge of standard office and clerical procedures.
Knowledge of personal computer operation in office applications.
Knowledge of basic accounting and bookkeeping practices.
Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other employees, supervisors, and the public.
Ability to meet and deal with the customers in a professional and courteous manner (at times in unpleasant situations).
Ability to work independently and complete multiple tasks accurately and in a timely manner.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to accurately enter data into a computer while conversing with customers.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic computations accurately and rapidly.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Finance
Two (2) years’ verifiable work experience in a municipal government setting (City/County)
Two (2) years’ verifiable work experience in a utility billing entity or very similar environment
Current Oregon Notary Public

Responsibilities

Greet customers/visitors in person or over the phone.
Input data into an automated financial system.
Set up new customers: Enter work orders for setup, maintenance, and termination of customer accounts.
Process and compare cash receipts and reporting.
Calculate various customer payments.
Determine outstanding balances.
Calculate payoff figures for customer balances and lien checks.
Operate a cash drawer, collect, balance and account for all funds on a daily basis.
Prepare and enter customer account information, orders, routine spreadsheets, and other documents.
Identify and correct any errors and/or discrepancies.
Maintain other routine accounting functions and general office duties such as filing, grouping/sorting documents for processing in alphabetical and/or numerical order, compiling information and preparing routine, recurring summaries, and reports on account status.
Respond to a variety of department and customer requests for information relative to assigned function.
Provide information or services as authorized or refers to appropriate individual for direction.
Provide adequate back up of other Billing and Collection Division positions as required due to normal absences.
Issue customer notifications via mail, phone, in person or email.
Compare accounting records to various manual and computer reports to verify coding and balances.
Prepare routine spreadsheets from identified source data.
Sort and deliver incoming mail, prepare outgoing mail as instructed.
Perform other related work as required or assigned.