Accounting Assistant

Accounting Assistant

The Accounting Assistant provides quality customer service, utility billing, and collection services. This position is also responsible for developing and / or improving customer service processes and procedures which includes defining service standards and techniques for evaluating customer satisfaction. The Accounting Assistant also processes payments, computes and posts utility charges, receives and accounts for cash, performs data entry, files records in established files, posts information into the utilities system, types, and performs other duties as assigned. This position also has frequent contact with the public both in person and over the phone.

Organizational Relationships :

1. Reports to : Asst. Director of Finance 2. Directs : Non-Supervisory. 3. Other : Has frequent contact with co-workers, customers, citizens, outside agencies, vendors, and other city employees.

Essential Job Functions & Other Important Duties

• Responds to customer calls and in-person inquiries about utility billing, water service, leak / policy allowance adjustments, garbage and brush billing, and work orders.
• Work as a cashier receiving utility payments, balancing cash drawer daily. Balances and posts daily receipts for accounts receivable and prepares daily bank deposits; reconciles deposits with computer printout; prepares adjustment entries for accounts.
• Responsible for the monthly retrieval of meter readings recorded on handheld devices.
• Calculates billing based on readings. Process utility bills for current month, in accordance to city ordinance.
• Checks error messages to detect abnormal metering information; compares past consumption patterns and other known conditions to determine need for rereading or investigation; orders rereading or service department investigation where indicated; makes necessary corrections for billing.
• Provides meter location information by street address, physical location and meter route book; assists in maintaining route and meter maps and sets up new accounts and reading routes for new subdivisions.
• Researches and compiles account histories of consumption patterns, past service calls, and similar information to assist in resolving disputed billing or service maintenance inquiries.
• Track, follow-up and resolve customer's outstanding issues in a timely fashion.
• Closes out discontinued accounts and processes final bills for these accounts.
• Advises customers about water usage and water conservation.
• Address delinquent accounts and file liens when needed.
• Prepare notices of past due accounts and prepare cut-off list for public works.
• Required to input other payments, such as franchise, hydrant usage, PID and other miscellaneous payments.
• Cross-train to perform clerical duties in court, such as taking payments.
• Assist directly or route customers to the appropriate personnel for assistance.
• Properly maintains the community center reservation calendar.
• Responsible for daily check destruction.
• Transmit phone & text notifications via our notification system to residents, when necessary.
• Process monthly invoice from franchised garbage vendor for payment.
• Process leak adjustments, per our policy.
• Acquire knowledge of city ordinances pertaining to utility codes and processing.
• Required to work closely with other departments within city hall, including public works, planning / zoning, code enforcement, etc.
• Responsible for using judgment when receiving emergency calls for police and transferring to dispatch.

Other Important Duties

Knowledge of- English Language : the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning of words and grammar. Basic Math : add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly. Customer Service : principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including a desire to help customers regardless of their circumstance. Customer Service Management : principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including needs assessment techniques, quality service standards, alternative delivery systems, and customer satisfaction evaluation techniques. Office Systems : administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word-processing systems, filing and records management systems, forms design principle Office Software : current word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and database programs used by the City.

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certifications and Licenses Required :

Certification as Notary Public.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Abilities : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee constantly is required to listen, see, sit, talk, or walk. The employee frequently is required to grasp, handle, feel, reach, or stand. The employee occasionally is required to balance, carry, kneel, lift up to 50 pounds, pull, push, or stoop. Rarely, the employee is required to climb or crawl.

Working Environment : The person performing the duties of the Accounting Assistant may encounter moving mechanical parts, noise, or people exhibiting hostile or otherwise difficult behavior.

Additional Information

The City of Heath is an equal opportunity employer of qualified individuals. The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed as of the date of preparation and approval. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and all requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.