FOC Account Specialist

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Assistant Friend of the Court-Operations, provides accounting support required for proper charging, crediting of payments, cash control and maintenance of accurate financial records for monies received in payment for court-ordered child support and spousal support. Establishes and modifies client accounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of initial and amended support orders, and audits accounts to ensure proper allocation of payments. Reviews source documents for accuracy and completeness and ensures that all transactions are properly documented.

This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Family Justice Center located at 12240 Fillmore St West Olive, MI 49460. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for accurately processing all child support and spousal support payments and proper accounting for all funds received by the Friend of the Court Office.
• Accountable for setting up the case in the MiCSES system which includes locate functions through Accurint, Business Objects and other systems as well as ensuring all demographic information and Social Security numbers are complete and initiating all enforcement.
• Researches Business Objects for state assistance, updates the MiCSES records to reflect that the money is allocated correctly. Communicates with DHHS to accurately update their system as changes occur.
• Obtains Federal Tax ID from employers and verifies and/or corrects employer information, sends requests to DHHS to add or modify an employer in their database to allow appropriate enforcement actions in MiCSES, prepares and transmits income withholding notices, and notifies payers of initiation of income withholding. Ensures that Electronic Income withholding notices are processed and accepted.
• Receives orders for reimbursement of birthing expenses, enters reimbursement charges to payer/payee accounts, monitors payments, and adjusts fixed obligation pay-off amounts.
• Creates new cases and accounts to reflect movement of children between residences of the custodial and non-custodial parents, changes in custody, placement in foster care, residential treatment, guardianships and other status changes.
• Reviews amended support orders and makes appropriate adjustments to accounts.
• Verify and processes case closings, making account adjustments, changing enforcement status, stopping disbursement payments, terminating income withholding notices, and contacting other departments to close open actions.
• Performs detailed audits of accounts by researching previous program systems to gather financial data. Verifies correct surcharges were assessed on account during appropriate time frame according to Michigan Law. Provides investigators with detailed, documented account histories. Provides testimony in Court to support audit findings if necessary.
• Responsible for setting up interstate child support cases, transferring arrears and charges, and ensuring that money is going to the correct state.
• Collects, compiles and prepares reports of data for use in improving performance measures, budget preparation and other financial forecasting.
• Prepares monthly PAR reports to correctly allocate investigator and attorney/referee hours to IV-D reimbursable and non-reimbursable activities under the State of Michigan Cooperative Reimbursement Contract.
• Manages the MiCSES system to ensure that each case is assigned to the correct county, function and caseworker.
• Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Associates' degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business information systems, business administration or closely related field and two (2) years progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing and business information systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Specific experience with MiCSES and income support accounting strongly preferred.

Additional Requirements and Information

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Thorough working knowledge of standard accounting principles and practices.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of fund accounting.
• Thorough knowledge of statutory and other legally mandated standards governing public sector accounting and auditing practices and financial accountability, including GAAP and GASB.
• Thorough working knowledge of accounts receivable processes and practices.
• Thorough working knowledge of the Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules, regulations and requirements.
• Thorough working knowledge of Michigan Office of Child Support rules, regulations and requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize the workload.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to interact positively and objectively with coworkers, officers of the court, clients, prosecutors, attorneys, auditors, and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with varying levels of communications skills.

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

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

Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Assistant Friend of the Court-Operations, provides accounting support required for proper charging, crediting of payments, cash control and maintenance of accurate financial records for monies received in payment for court-ordered child support and spousal support. Establishes and modifies client accounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of initial and amended support orders, and audits accounts to ensure proper allocation of payments. Reviews source documents for accuracy and completeness and ensures that all transactions are properly documented.

This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Family Justice Center located at 12240 Fillmore St West Olive, MI 49460. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for accurately processing all child support and spousal support payments and proper accounting for all funds received by the Friend of the Court Office.
• Accountable for setting up the case in the MiCSES system which includes locate functions through Accurint, Business Objects and other systems as well as ensuring all demographic information and Social Security numbers are complete and initiating all enforcement.
• Researches Business Objects for state assistance, updates the MiCSES records to reflect that the money is allocated correctly. Communicates with DHHS to accurately update their system as changes occur.
• Obtains Federal Tax ID from employers and verifies and/or corrects employer information, sends requests to DHHS to add or modify an employer in their database to allow appropriate enforcement actions in MiCSES, prepares and transmits income withholding notices, and notifies payers of initiation of income withholding. Ensures that Electronic Income withholding notices are processed and accepted.
• Receives orders for reimbursement of birthing expenses, enters reimbursement charges to payer/payee accounts, monitors payments, and adjusts fixed obligation pay-off amounts.
• Creates new cases and accounts to reflect movement of children between residences of the custodial and non-custodial parents, changes in custody, placement in foster care, residential treatment, guardianships and other status changes.
• Reviews amended support orders and makes appropriate adjustments to accounts.
• Verify and processes case closings, making account adjustments, changing enforcement status, stopping disbursement payments, terminating income withholding notices, and contacting other departments to close open actions.
• Performs detailed audits of accounts by researching previous program systems to gather financial data. Verifies correct surcharges were assessed on account during appropriate time frame according to Michigan Law. Provides investigators with detailed, documented account histories. Provides testimony in Court to support audit findings if necessary.
• Responsible for setting up interstate child support cases, transferring arrears and charges, and ensuring that money is going to the correct state.
• Collects, compiles and prepares reports of data for use in improving performance measures, budget preparation and other financial forecasting.
• Prepares monthly PAR reports to correctly allocate investigator and attorney/referee hours to IV-D reimbursable and non-reimbursable activities under the State of Michigan Cooperative Reimbursement Contract.
• Manages the MiCSES system to ensure that each case is assigned to the correct county, function and caseworker.
• Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Associates' degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business information systems, business administration or closely related field and two (2) years progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing and business information systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Specific experience with MiCSES and income support accounting strongly preferred.

Additional Requirements and Information

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Thorough working knowledge of standard accounting principles and practices.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of fund accounting.
• Thorough knowledge of statutory and other legally mandated standards governing public sector accounting and auditing practices and financial accountability, including GAAP and GASB.
• Thorough working knowledge of accounts receivable processes and practices.
• Thorough working knowledge of the Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules, regulations and requirements.
• Thorough working knowledge of Michigan Office of Child Support rules, regulations and requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize the workload.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to interact positively and objectively with coworkers, officers of the court, clients, prosecutors, attorneys, auditors, and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with varying levels of communications skills.

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

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

Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This position is benefited and is in the Friend of the Court bargaining unit.

Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Benefits Summary for more information.

The current Friend of the Court collective bargaining agreement can be viewed here. The pay scale can be found here.

**Part-time benefitted positions will recieve prorated benefits.