Accounting Specialist - Utilities and Sales Tax

Position Summary:

This position performs a variety of general office and accounting duties in maintaining varied fiscal records and systems for the City, including processing payments and account inquiries, providing front desk and telephone customer service, providing transactional and historical records upon request, and assist with Sales Tax management.

Essential Functions:

• Processes online, mail-in, phone and in-person payments for utilities, licenses, taxes and other fees; maintains records of all transactions.
• Answers questions regarding billing and utilities, and other general inquiries in a timely fashion while retaining a friendly and empathetic demeanor.
• Provides information to title companies for closings and communicates with Electric and Water Department field technicians to verify meter reads.
• Assists in managing sales tax collection process including registering businesses, answering questions, interpreting tax code and making recommendations to management regarding tax liability.
• Meets occasionally with businesses to provide assistance and training.
• Analyzes sales tax trends, forecasts revenue, and interfaces with vendors to facilitate compliance with municipal tax code.
• Tracks delinquent accounts and tactfully follow-up with customers and businesses to collect payments.
• Coordinates with external audit firm to select appropriate vendors to audit and make recommendations on final audit findings.
• Interacts regularly in a professional manner with internal and external customers from diverse backgrounds and with varying degrees of communication skills.
• Establishes and maintains effective, collaborative working relationships with City employees, supervisors, and the general public.
• Provides ad-hoc research and analysis in response to requests from City staff, City Council, the public and other internal constituents.
• Prepares year-end schedules for auditors and provides other data, reports, or information as requested; keeps complete records throughout the year in anticipation of audits and reviews.
• May train, orient or assist fellow employees as needed.

Other Duties:

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Core Competencies:

• Commitment to exceptional customer service during all interactions with the public and City employees.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to assess current work processes and suggest improvements where appropriate.
• Able to prioritize tasks in a busy office environment with interactions, distractions, and foot traffic.
• Demonstrates organizational skills with the ability to work efficiently to meet deadlines.
• Able to establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with City employees, supervisors, and the general public.
• Able to follow oral and written instructions and seek clarifying information when necessary for tasks that have critical impact or outcomes.
• Able to operate office equipment, including a ten-key, dual monitors, phone transfers, paper folding/stuffing equipment for large mailings.
• Willing to sit for long periods of time, perform repetitive tasks, and constantly remain alert.
• Demonstrates a strong team approach to customer service, growth mindset, critical thinking, and willingness to constantly learn and grow.

Education, Training & Certifications:Necessary:

• Able to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
• Two or more years of experience in a professional office environment.
• Excellent computer skills including MS Excel (basic sorting, formulas) data entry, and the ability to learn and use new and existing account software.

Desired:

• Bilingual
• Two or more years of experience working for public finance, utilities, taxes or related business.
• Knowledge of sales, use and accommodations tax laws.
• Experience with Tyler Munis software and GovOS.

Necessary Physical Requirements:

Action

Frequency

Lifting

10-15 pounds frequently; 25-50 pounds occasionally

Carry

10-15 pounds frequently; 25-50 pounds occasionally

Pushing/Pulling

10-15 pounds frequently; 25-50 pounds occasionally

Driving

Occasionally

Balance/Stoop/Bend

Frequently

Twist/Squat/Crouch

Frequently

Kneeling

Occasionally

Crawling

N/A

Climbing Stairs

Frequently

Climbing Ladders

Occasionally

Standing/Walking

Frequently

Reaching Above/Below/At Shoulder Level

Frequently

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.90 - $31.08 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person