Finance Customer Billing Associate I

This is accounting and specialized clerical work in maintaining fiscal records. This position may also be required to perform non-accounting duties as designated by the department. Work is performed according to established procedures, and this position is expected to perform standardized tasks with a high level of independence. The nature of the work requires familiarity with and constant use of computer systems, including client-server computers and cloud applications. Work is specialized for various services that require detailed knowledge for proper assessment. Supervisors review work through observation and review of records and reports. 

• Assists in creating T-forms, budget transfers, journal entries, and check requests.
• Prepares reports and maintains accounting schedules and other statistical schedules.
• Checks customer account receivables and acts in accordance with established policy.
• Identifies, researches, and reconciles problems with supervision.
• Reviews and enters manual journal and budget entries submitted by user departments requiring City Manager approval.
• Manages the database for parking citations, including posting citations, reconciling payments, and processing payment postings.
• Processes the release of the hold on the vehicle tag upon payment of fees.
• Updates the DMV in the system for vehicle tag information.
• Processes pool credits and seasonal requests.
• Insurance Claim set-up, processing, and follow-ups
• Processes individual invoices for Citywide miscellaneous billings.
• Assesses Stormwater billings, including assessment of square footage to be billed. 
• Verifies existing Stormwater credit available for the property.
• Addresses all incoming requests for miscellaneous invoicing and other various services, including Stormwater, Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste, and Recycling. 
• Determines where services should be billed when services are shared.
• Reviews utility and miscellaneous customer accounts and adjusts accounts as required.
• Requests various actions on behalf of internal and external customer accounts.
• Answers customer inquiries and takes necessary action.
• Scans, indexes, and archives documents into the City's document management system (OnBase).
• Demonstrates and continually provides a high level of customer service.
• Handles all incoming Solid Waste requests with high-level detail for proper service assessment.
• Collaborates with third-party vendors to resolve unpaid invoice issues.
• Participates in projects as applicable.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements. 
• May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.  
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• May perform various non-accounting functions, such as maintaining departmental personnel and payroll records and filing and retrieving documents.

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.
• Two years of experience in a customer service-related field.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE

• Basic double-entry bookkeeping principles and practices and their application to accounting transactions.
• Modern office methods, procedures, and equipment.
• PeopleSoft, Oracle, and UMS (City’s customer and document management applications sufficient to perform essential functions and responsibilities of the position.)

ABILITIES

• Learn City and departmental policies and procedures governing payroll and purchasing.
• Maintain moderately complex financial records and prepare routine and special financial reports and statements.
• Make and verify computations with accuracy at a reasonable rate of speed.
• Operate various office equipment, including a computer terminal and calculator, in accordance with established procedures.
• Understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with supervisor, co-workers, other City employees, and the general public.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Sedentary work that involves walking or standing sometimes, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.
• No significant exposure to environmental hazards.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination).  Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone.  Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders.  Test times and locations to be announced.