Customer Accounting Specialist 2 (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)

Spokane County

1d • $46,717 - $65,395 • Remote

About The Position

This position performs journey-level administrative, financial, and accounting work related to customer accounts, billing, payments, and payroll in the Utilities Division. Work includes sewer billing and payments; General Facilities Charges; Capital Facilities Rates; Aquifer Protection Area billing; establishing accounts; researching and processing parcel segregations and aggregations; maintaining billing databases; processing vouchers; and handling personnel time cards, payroll, and leave balances. The role may involve resolving complex problems and billing discrepancies. Following in-office training, the position will be remote.

The position also provides customer service, maintains financial and administrative records, prepares reports, supports office operations, and assists others with work guidance. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. Employees in this classification must pass an appropriate background check and be bondable.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Seven years of accounting-related work experience; successful completion of an AA degree in Accounting or equivalent accounting-related coursework may substitute for up to one-half of the required work experience.
• Must successfully pass an appropriate background check and be bondable.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques, phone etiquette, administrative support, accounting practices, Utilities Division billing and payment operations, relevant legal terminology and descriptions, databases, basic accounting, lien procedures, Auditor’s office recording and Treasurer’s office filing procedures, applicable County sewer-service areas, payroll functions, billing and payment procedures, and applicable state and local laws.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, maintain effective working relationships, answer phones and greet visitors, apply customer service techniques, and use office equipment and computer software.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations; explain billing structures, rates, bills, payments, and computations; maintain complex records and files; prepare technical, legal, or statistical reports; resolve problems; exercise discretion and independent judgment; work independently with minimal supervision; and follow written or oral instructions.
• Skill in advanced word processing and in using databases, word-processing and spreadsheet programs, office equipment, and related software.
• Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter.

Responsibilities

• Enter Utilities Division time cards, coordinate payroll processing, prepare payroll and leave-balance reports, match leave requests to time cards, resolve discrepancies, and provide audit information.
• Prepare and process vouchers and purchase orders.
• Maintain a petty cash account and associated records and balances in accordance with auditor policies and practices.
• Maintain accounts and records for printing and mailing bills, coordinating with other staff and departments to obtain billing information.
• Process sewer customer payments daily; resolve payment problems and account issues; print reports; maintain adjustment records; reconcile the daily ledger; and determine refunds.
• Research property and ownership information using databases, parcel and sewer maps, legal documents, permits, and other records in connection with delinquent accounts and liens.
• Monitor accounts for delinquencies, send lien-warning letters, and coordinate payment arrangements before filing liens.
• Review lien payments and prepare and process lien-release paperwork.
• Research and analyze billing problems, resolve them, and update account information.
• Obtain data, including historical water consumption, and calculate appropriate billing amounts.
• Establish new billing accounts by researching ownership, legal descriptions, and fee bases; establish applicable Aquifer Protection Area, Capital Facilities, General Facilities, and Sewer Service charges.
• Prepare, print, and circulate account reports to staff and departments.
• Review Aquifer Protection Area Fees and commercial account Sewer Service Charges annually and revise charges when appropriate.
• Certify annual Aquifer Protection Area Fees to the Treasurer’s office for inclusion on tax statements.
• Research and process tax-parcel segregations and aggregations to revise or establish billing accounts.
• Communicate with customers about account and billing questions, complaints, and requests; explain rate schedules; research account histories; and resolve billing problems or errors.
• Answer phones and greet visitors; screen and direct calls and visitors, take messages, and provide routine office information.
• Open, sort, date-stamp, and distribute incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail.
• Gather, organize, copy, bind, and prepare documents, files, and informational packets.
• Draft, proofread, edit, or enter data for routine correspondence, agendas, schedules, and forms.
• Maintain databases such as address lists, inventory checkout records, or visitor records.
• Sort, file, and tabulate documents and records; maintain filing systems and status reports; and enter, retrieve, remove, and log electronic or physical materials.
• Scan and index documents and images for retrieval.
• Cross-check and tabulate standard information, review forms for completeness, compile statistical data, and assemble reports.
• Run office errands, such as picking up mail and reports and distributing files.
• Provide work guidance or direction to others.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Employer-paid health and related benefits are included in the stated total-compensation estimate, including medical, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, and leave. Actual value varies with employee enrollment choices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED