Performs skilled accounting and administrative tasks with primary responsibility for utility billing, accounts receivable, cash receipting, and customer service for the Finance Department. Responsible for accurate processing of billing, payments, and receivables, and ensures the integrity of related financial records. Works with minimal supervision and provides backup support for accounts payable and other Finance functions as needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Customer Service

• Provide friendly and helpful customer service to residents and other customers in person, by phone, and online; serving as a primary point of contact for utility customers and other financial inquiries.
• Assist utility customers with payment arrangements, service orders, account inquiries, and moving or transferring service.
• Aid the general public through the main City phone line and direct inquiries to the appropriate department or staff member.
• Respond to utility search inquiries and assist customers with special assessment search requests.

Utility Billing,

• Calculate and process utility billing, final billing, penalties, adjustments, and delinquent notices.
• Accurately apply utility payments and process bank batches and returned payments.
• Process work orders for connection or disconnection of delinquent utility accounts.
• Complete set up of new meters and deletion of old meters in coordination with Public Works.
• Prepare Roberds Lake reconciliation and submit requests for payment monthly.

Accounts Receivable

• Process accounts receivable invoices and statements, including review of supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Prepare monthly billing for accounts receivable for special assessment search certificates.
• Process monthly ACH Loan payments and ensure accuracy in recording
• Monitor aged listing of receivables and report aging to departments monthly
• Process penalties and issue statements monthly
• Complete utility search inquiries for assessment searches.
• Produce various accounts receivable financial reports on a regular or ad-hoc basis.

Cash Receipting & Banking

• Process and record a significant volume of payments received daily through mail, drop box, email, or in person, including utility billing, accounts receivable, and other City department revenues.
• Perform daily deposit of bank checks via web-based banking application; reconcile and resolve any deposit issues.
• Update property tax allocation and accurately record property tax receipts.

Special Assessments

• Prepare special assessment searches and maintain special assessment rolls.
• Reconcile the special assessment subsidiary system to the general ledger.
• Record prepayments and conduct year-end special assessment reconciliation.

Department Support

• Process outgoing and incoming mail daily
• Scan, store, and purge accounts receivable and utility billing records according to document retention requirements.
• Update finance pages of City website.
• Prepare forms, form letters, and general correspondence when needed to complete essential duties.
• Maintain department inventory of supply items.
• Serve as a point of contact for maintenance and repair of office machines: postage meter, folding machine, shredder, etc.
• Participate in special projects as assigned, including the annual Franchise Fee Rebate Program.
• Prepare audit documents related to accounts receivable and utility billing.
• Serve as a backup to Accounts Payable / Reconciliation Accounting Technicians.
• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) years of successful customer service experience.
• Associate degree or higher in accounting, business, finance, or a related field, OR two (2) years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Two (2) years of experience with accounting software, data entry, and general ledger functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of municipal accounting or governmental finance experience.
• Experience with ERP systems and fund accounting.
• Fluency in a second language.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and members of the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Experience with an automated office environment, including applicable computer software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Working knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Familiarity with integrated ERP systems.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize work tasks effectively.
• Ability to accurately record and maintain records.
• Strong organizational and mathematical skills with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to handle interruptions in the workplace while managing multiple tasks.
• Capability to periodically access sensitive information required to perform job tasks, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficient in making quick and accurate mathematical computations and performing detailed work accurately.

Tools and Equipment Used
Personal computer including word processing, spreadsheet, and database software; financial/accounting and ERP software; Laserfiche (document management software); document scanner; phone; 10-key calculator; copy machine; fax machine; postage machine; shredder.
Physical Demands
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 is frequently required to sit, talk, hear, read, use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions. Work takes place in an indoor, well-lit, ventilated, and heated environment. The noise level is usually quiet to moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Additional Information
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
The City of Faribault does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or handicap status in the employment or the provision of services.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.