Accounting Technician

COUNTY OF CARLTON•Cloquet, MN

3d•$53,021 - $63,063•Hybrid

About The Position

Carlton County Public Health and Human Services is an engaging and safe place to work with a flexible day-time weekday schedule. Ample opportunities for training, development, and career growth, with the possibility of telecommuting. Very competitive salary and benefit package with respectful and open atmosphere. The Public Health & Human Services department is committed to providing a welcoming environment.

Requirements

High school diploma, or equivalent, plus two (2) or more years of post-secondary education in accounting or related field.
Two (2) year or associates degree preferred
Three (3) or more years of full-time accounting/clerical work experience with demonstrated public contact; governmental accounting experience preferred.
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.
Must be bondable and insurable by third party insurer and MCIT due to cash handling and financial transactions for county and client funds.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Knowledge of modern governmental finance and accounting principles, theories, and standards.
Knowledge of basic principles of budgeting and public finance.
Knowledge of bookkeeping principles, methods, terminology, and procedures for maintaining ledgers, journals, and similar accountings records.
Knowledge of general office operating and organization procedures.
Knowledge of proper grammar and spelling to generate written communication and to interact with the public.
Strong public relations and customer service skills to deal with the public, resolve issues, effectively manage difficult customers, and explain laws and departmental operations and rules in person and over the telephone.
Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other office specific software, including strong typing skills.
Skill and ability to operate and troubleshoot office machines including computerized equipment.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, other county staff and members of the public.
Ability to make mathematical calculations, computations and tabulations with a high degree of accuracy.
Ability to organize and prioritize work, pay attention to detail, and meet deadlines independently and as part of a work unit.
Ability to maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and county regulations.
Ability to compile materials and prepare factual, clear and concise reports utilizing the appropriate software.
Ability to work positively in a team environment and function constructively during conflict resolution.
Ability to independently investigate errors in accounts or statements and develop solutions.
Ability to enter financial data accurately and efficiently into a system.
Demonstrates flexibility, including in providing back-up support to others, and willingness to create, implement, and adapt to new ways of doing things.
Maintain the ability to fully support the core values and mission of Carlton County Public Health & Human Services.

Nice To Haves

The Minnesota Rural Public Health Nurse Loan Forgiveness program may be applied for if meet criteria(competitive)

Responsibilities

Execute specialized and detailed accounting assignments for Public Health and Human Services (PH&HS) utilizing 20+ software systems.
Audit, correct, process, reconcile and balance transactions, invoices, payment vouchers, billing and claims; disburse and receive funds; prepare and process deposits.
Post transactions to, audit and maintain general ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable, including subsidiary ledgers.
Prepare financial reports, maintain records of the financial activity of the department or unit to which assigned and ensure compliance with legal guidelines, federal and state statutes, Governmental Accountings Standards Board (GASB) and generally accepted accounting principles.
Research and implement complex claiming and coding requirements, constantly changing rules, regulations and effective dates regarding aspects of PH&HS healthcare claiming as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and other legislated healthcare changes.
Decipher and apply claiming requirements of specific payor contract language.
Prepare, data enter, process and review claims for PH&HS Services to ensure proper billing.
Research and correct billable entry errors.
Independently audit non-billable entries for client eligibility and update pay source and program codes.
Prepare spreadsheets detailing discrepancies of capitation payments and billing roster details.
Attend general mass clinics while contributing to Infectious Disease and Emergency Preparedness team meetings and trainings to prepare for countywide disaster or pandemic event.
Audit remittance advices to ensure proper payments are received after adjustments and allowances.
Research denials for solutions and submit corrected billings for all claims.
Complete representative payee financial processes for vulnerable clients, maintaining individual client subsidiary ledgers in the Social Welfare System and individual client annual reports for the Social Security Administration.
Control and regulate client funds where Carlton County is representative payee including Social Welfare Fund clients, non-enforced child support clients and special trust fund clients. Funds include Social Security (both RSDI and SSI), pension, railroad retirement, and Veterans Administration benefits.
Receipt and disburse funds including deposits, transfers, warrants, and stop payments.
Authorization for all accounts including signing checks and Certificates of Deposit (CD).
Responsible to compile and review documentation in preparation of Social Security Administration audit on an annual basis; serve as primary contact for the audit.
Integrate documented information into Social Welfare System to maintain payer, payee, and vendor files; generate warrants, enter receipts and disbursement information, audit system, and generate monthly and annual reports.
Prepare and analyze Adult and Child TCM reports from SSIS for Fiscal Supervisor II.
Prepare ACS claim reports and forward to Collections along with MAXIS auto-generated reports.
Audit collection reports monthly to ensure proper collections.
Audit and enter data for bills, claims and related documents by reviewing to ensure accuracy and conformance with relevant payment conditions, including approval compliance, appropriate coding, 1099 and W-9 identification; communicate information to Treasurer’s Office to ensure proper warrant production; disburse warrants through proper outlets; initiate and process ACH transactions.
Finalize and approve SSIS service arrangements before creating or processing vouchers.
Enter vouchers into SSIS fiscal payment system and run edit reports to ensure any duplicate payments or errors can be corrected prior to final batch submission.
Verify petty cash and gas voucher requests, disburse, replenish, and audit fund.
Audit, data enter, approve and review discrepancies with Minnesota Child Care (MEC2) vouchers for Child Care Assistance Program providers to facilitate proper payment from DHS.
Enter provider direct deposit details with MEC2 system.
Communicate with Child Care providers, parents, and Income Maintenance staff to prepare spreadsheet containing payment details.
Respond to inquiries.
Receipt and audit all payments for PH&HS while ensuring dual accountability.
Prepare, code, and post payments to claims, general ledger and subsidiary accounts.
Prepare bank deposits and deliver to financial institutions.
Reconcile receipts and check logs to deposit total.
Execute monthly analysis, research issues for Aged Accounts Receivable past due balances.
Generate and send billing statements and manual invoices for all claims to clients and vendors.
Post manual payments for probate, voluntary foster care, interest related and MAXIS system program claims.
Post PH healthcare claiming remittance advices to individual client ledgers in the NN system.
Post miscellaneous PH payments to individual invoices.
Complete irregular MAXIS system issuances per requests from Income Maintenance including issuances of emergency funds, supplements, and re-issuances of cancelled benefits.
Establish initial Electronic Benefit accounts and EBT cards for eligible clients as needed.
Review card stock to ensure sufficient supply and reorder when necessary.
Create card logs for proper tracking.
Audit and maintain accuracy of Revenue Recapture claims.
Maintain accuracy and completeness of vendor or client records in financial systems, making verification requests for tax identification or banking information as necessary to comply with federal IRS requirements.
Serve as the primary source of information for the public and employees regarding accounts payable, accounts receivable, issuing and solving issues with EBT cards, and departmental processes and procedures.
Communicate with the public and staff regarding departmental services, processes, procedures, applicable laws, statutes and respond to inquiries in person and by phone, emails, and letters.
Serve as liaison with the public, companies, county departments and other government agencies to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
Serve as mentor, trainer, and resource within PH&HS for non-routine, unique or complex transactions, and new accounting staff.
Function as SSIS Fiscal, Social Welfare Fund and Nightingale Notes mentor.
Maintain system setup and coding.
Attend meetings and complete specialized training to maintain intricate systems knowledge.
Serve as direct contact with systems’ personnel to resolve project and local issues and provide feedback.
Clearinghouses for electronic healthcare transactions, government agency and insurance company websites.

Benefits

41 hours personal paid time off
12 paid holidays
Flexible scheduling
Opportunity for part-time remote work
Comprehensive insurance including medical, dental, vision
Advancement/professional development opportunities
Employee Assistance Program
Employee well-being valued and culture of self-care
PERA pension plan
Limited evening and weekend hours may be worked for some positions.
Family Health Insurance - Monthly Premium of $350.58
Single Health Insurance – Premium paid in Full by Employer
HEALTH INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLES COVERED IN FULL WITH A VEBA ACCOUNT FUNDED BY EMPLOYER