Principal Account Clerk

The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) provides quality water supply, water pollution control, mapping, and household hazardous waste collection to eight member municipalities: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. Additionally, the MDC provides drinking water to portions of Farmington, Glastonbury, East Granby and South Windsor, known as the MDC's non-member towns.

JOB SUMMARY

This is highly responsible financial and administrative position involving the processing and review of complex financial transactions, reconciling accounts, analyzing billing and collections data, monitoring vendor and customer account activity, and performing system-based financial tasks. This position requires analytical thinking and the ability to communicate effectively with internal departments and external stakeholders.

Position is being filled in the Treasury/Collections group and will be interacting with he District's water and sewer customers on a daily basis. Prior experience in accounts receivable/collections or in a customer service call center preferred. Must be comfortable with discussing past due balances, proficient in conflict resolution and possess strong negotiating skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Reviews, prepares, and processes financial transactions related to vendor payments and customer refunds.
• Audits, invoices, purchase orders, payment requests, and utility billing data to ensure accuracy and compliance with established policies.
• Enters and maintains financial data in SAP, including transaction postings, account adjustments, payment applications, and billing corrections.
• Performs account reconciliations involving vendor ledgers, customer accounts, and general ledger balances.
• Coordinates with internal departments (Customer Service, Field Operations, Engineering, Procurement and Finance) to resolve billing disputes, consumption anomalies, or payment discrepancies.
• Reviews aging reports and follows up on outstanding receivables; initiates payment plans or escalates for further action.
• Maintains accurate financial records and supporting documentation.
• Participates in process improvements, policy updates, and financial system upgrades or testing efforts. Identifies opportunities to streamline billing, payment, and reconciliation processes. Participates in cross-functional meetings to improve coordination between various departments.
• Assists customers, vendors and others with billing, invoice and payment inquiries. Handles difficult inquiries requiring in-depth knowledge of the activity, operations and recordkeeping system.
• Performs related work as required.

This position will work under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer's office as a cross-training, developmental position to be assigned across business units and functions, including accounts payable, collections, and customer service/billing on an as needed basis. Experience using SAP or any other ERP system to process invoices a plus. Experience developing job aids is desired. Outstanding communication, organization and collaboration skills a must for this position. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Associates degree from a recognized college or university, plus four (4) years of progressively responsible accounting, customer service, accounts payable, and/or related clerical experience, preferably in the utility industry, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that provides the requisite experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must have a valid driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of account clerical procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of MDC billing processes and financial systems.
• Knowledge of general office and recordkeeping procedures.
• Knowledge of the operations of standard office machines and a computer terminal and personal computer.
• Knowledge of business English.
• Skill in mathematical computation.
• Skill in keyboard operation including a computer terminal and typewriter.
• Ability in oral communications and good ability in written communications.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform administrative procedures.
• Ability to learn the operations of the assigned department.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, customers and the general public.
• Ability to research and resolve accounts payable issues with customers and vendors.

ADA COMPLIANCE
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in a sedentary to light work environment, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (under 25 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are performed primarily indoors with minimal exposure to outdoor environmental factors.

The Metropolitan District Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Commission will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities

The Metropolitan District Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Commission will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.