Accounting Specialist (Business License/Water Utility Billing)

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Verifies invoices, purchase orders, checks, deposit slips, water payments, computer source documents, and other records for arithmetical accuracy and consistency; checks for proper budget coding and record keeping practices; resolves discrepancies within established procedures
• Answer customer questions, investigate and resolve complaints; compute and prepare water bills; process delinquencies; review, analyze and reconcile customer billing records and prepare adjustments for supervisor approval as needed.
• Rotates amongst various Accounting Specialist assignments, as directed
• Processes new business license applications, delinquent licenses, and license renewals in accordance with established procedures; assists customers with the completion of forms; reviews applications for completion, accuracy, and compliance with City guidelines
• Perform financial transactions including processing or transferring payments, refunding credit amounts or deposits, adjusting charges and/or deposits, reversing payments, issuing refunds, and adjusting service fees
• Responds to inquiries and/or complaints in person or by telephone; answers questions and advises on procedures in preparing accounting transactions
• Receive, compare and match various documents, such as purchase orders, receiving documents, invoices, credit card receipts, and billings. Process payments against purchase orders, check requests from City departments, and direct payments for contract work performed for various City departments
• Provides quality customer service in answering questions, furnishing information and completing applications for City services and taxes
• Use various computer systems extensively to post payments; enter data of new utility customers and make data changes; interact with customers, coordinate with service and billing divisions, check credit ratings, obtain other information to assist customers, research, and use discretion to determine deposit and restoration of service requirements
• Assists customers at the counter and on the telephone, answering inquiries, providing information, and explaining City and department policies and procedures
• Issues routine correspondence to vendors, businesses, or the public according to established procedures
• Take on-and-off orders for utility service by telephone, correspondence and in person; analyze customer records to establish appropriate deposit amounts from written guidelines for new and existing utility users and prepare deposit refunds for supervisor approval
• Determine and resolve utility payment problems and mis-readings; research, recalculate and adjust incorrect bills
• Research requests, problems, and complaints and initiate appropriate action; generate service requests to resolve service issues. Assist customers who have had their service disconnected or who have received notice to interrupt service, including granting extensions of service
• Handles the cashiering function for all City revenue; receives payments from mail and walk-in customers; records incoming revenue for the city including utility bills, accounts receivable, invoices, business licenses and building permits; collects and accounts for money; issues receipts; reconciles cash receipt batches and prepares daily deposits
• Generates computer or manual billings or refund checks in accordance with established procedures

A combination of education, experience, and training that has provided the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities is required for entry into the classification. A typical combination includes:

Education and/or Experience:

Graduation from high school; and two (2) years of technical or clerical accounting experience. Business License experience is desirable but not required.

Knowledge of:

• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Principles and practices of customer service
• Standard businesses software, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting
• Basic accounting and financial record keeping methods and practices

Skill to:

• Operate various types of standard office equipment, including a personal computer and related software

Ability to:

• Understand and interpret basic principles, laws and procedures involved in fiscal record keeping and accounting
• Prepare and maintain accurate and precise records and reports
• Establish and maintain courteous, cooperative, and effective relationships with the general public, co-workers, supervisors, vendors, contractors, and others encountered in the course of work
• Plan and organize tasks to meet deadlines
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Perform basic arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

None.

Special Requirements:

Satisfactory results from a background investigation, physical examination and administrative screening.

The City of Tustin offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit program that includes:
FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN
The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee to use toward the purchase of individual or family health coverage, dental plans, vision coverage, additional life insurance, deferred compensation, and other optional benefits. Currently, the flexible benefit amount for Employee + 2 is $1685 per month.
The City contracts through CalPERS medical program (PEMHCA) which offers multiple PPO and HMO options for health insurance providers. Employees also have the choice of Delta Dental PPO or HMO plans.
RETIREMENT
Employees will be enrolled in a defined benefit (pension) plan with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS determines the retirement plan in which a new employee will be enrolled based on the individual's membership status with CalPERS or a reciprocal retirement system on the individual's first day of employment with the City.

Classic CalPERS members will be enrolled in the 2% @ 60 plan, with an employee contribution of 10% (pre-tax). New CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan, with an employee contribution of 6.25% (pre-tax). The City does not participate in Social Security, though participation Medicare is mandatory (1.45% employee contribution).

DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program and the City contracts with Nationwide Retirement Services.
GENERAL LEAVE
General Leave may be used for vacation and/or illness. Annual accrual amounts increase from 160 to 248 with years of service.
HOLIDAYS
The City has 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
LIFE INSURANCE
Full-Time employees receive a $100,000 life insurance policy.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident.
ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULE
The 9/80 alternative work schedule is available for most full-time positions.
RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees who retire from the City of Tustin with ten (10) years of full-time service and continue enrollment in the City's health plan are eligible for reimbursement of $250 per month toward retiree health insurance costs. Employees first hired into a benefitted position with the City of Tustin prior to July 1, 2011 are eligible for this benefit after five (5) years of service.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
After passing the probationary period, employees may request reimbursement up to a maximum of $4000 per calendar year for tuition and related expenses when attending a community college or four year university.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of legal and counseling services.
MEDICARE
All newly hired employees contribute a portion of gross salary for Medicare coverage. The employee contribution to Medicare is 1.45%.
SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
SPECIALITY PAY
The City has specialty pay for designated positions. Examples of specialty pay include Bilingual Pay, Water Certificate Pay, Stand-by Pay, Call-Back Pay, and Shift Differential.