Accounting Technician (8)

This Accounting Technician position will primarily be responsible for processing claims and payments, reconciling bank statements, responding to payment inquiries, and managing collection activities. Responsibilities include monitoring outstanding balances, maintaining financial records, pursuing delinquent accounts and estate recoveries, coordinating repayment agreements and processing account write-offs in accordance with County and State policies.

Under the general direction of the Fiscal Supervisor, the Accounting Technician engages in accounting functions, such as, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, collections and mentoring for the department.   Duties involve:  calculating, receiving, reviewing, sorting, generating, coding, entering, auditing, and posting of invoices, vouchers, billings, fees, bank statements, reports, financial records and statements.  The Accounting Technician uses multiple software systems, for billing, claiming, reporting, collections, and troubleshooting.

Accounts Payable:

1. Processes claims against the County:   Prepares, codes, enters and audits all claims payable to vendors, using proper chart of account codes (IFS); program codes (PH DOC) and BRASS codes (SSIS).
2. Generates and processes service arrangements (SSIS); service agreements (MMIS); Day Care (MEC2) for vendors, to insure proper payment of service for various providers.  
3. Works with county staff, vendors, and clients to maintain and ensure compliance with 1099 year end procedures and tax information.
4. Resolves questions of staff, clients and vendors regarding payment amount, timing, issues with systems or reason of non-payment

Accounts Receivable:

1. Reviews, edits and collaborates with managers and county staff to ensure all billable time entries are complete and accurate for maximum revenue return for the county.
2. Generates and transmits monthly billing for many different types of services, being sent to multiple payers, including Targeted Case Management, waivered services (EW, AC, CAC, CADI, BI), SUD, treatment coordination, maternal and child health, immunizations, car seat education, lead tests, care coordination, interpreter and community health worker services, transportation, CE Insurance, Medicare Part B, CD assessments, etc.
3. Receipts all payments made to the agency and records in correct system for tracking and reporting purposes.   Creates and maintains related spreadsheets and program workbooks to ensure accurate account balances.
4. Monitors remittance advices from multiple payers for posting to accounts, verifying correct service entries and payment amounts.  
5. Investigates reasons for payment denial on claims/bills from payers, including: insurance companies, Medical Assistance, and PMAP’s.  Corrects and resubmits as able.
6. Obtains sensitive information from clients to initiate repayment agreements, or activation of Revenue Recapture to pursue collections of delinquent accounts.
7. Troubleshoots and acts as fiscal mentor for SSIS to ensure that it integrates with county IFS system for correct payment to providers, maintenance and integrity of the system and maximum county reimbursement.  Works with social workers to resolve system issues and ensure correct payment.   Researches/verifies duplicate PMI numbers of clients for system integrity, and proper payment to vendors. (Clearing).
8. Maintains Social Welfare fund for many clients, paying appropriate bills and collecting revenue, per social worker direction.  Reconciles bank statements

Collections:

1. Monitors statements for collection and maintains spreadsheets and reports for meetings and management; enters payment to MAXIS and QuickBooks in accordance with procedure.
2. Determines and pursues collection of estate recoveries, county burials, overpayments, and other delinquent accounts using State and County policy and procedure.
3. Track data into spreadsheet for all collection areas, using data from state reports, QuickBooks, IFS, MEC2 to keep all outstanding balances accurate.
4. Initiates write off of accounts, pursuant to county policy for approval by fiscal supervisor, agency director, county auditor, county administrator and county board.

Payroll:

1. Verifies and audits bi-weekly payroll records for all staff.  Reviews employee timesheets, working with staff, and department supervisors to resolve discrepancies from agency management software (SSIS or PH DOC) to county Etime system.  Submits final agency information to payroll department. 

Reports:

1. Researches and complies financial and statistical information for various reports.  Using multiple systems and various databases, assembles information for statistics, reporting, budgeting, cost accounting, and presentation to Fiscal Supervisor, Department Head, or other supervisors/managers.
2. Generates reports and tracks revenue and expenditures for multiple grant funding sources.  Prepares monthly, quarterly and year end reports.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING
High school diploma or GED
Requires a valid driver's in the State of MN. 

Required Minimum Work Experience in Addition to Formal Education/Training: 
Minimum of 1 year accounting, bookkeeping, or clerical experience

The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and a commitment to accuracy along with the ability to learn and navigate multiple financial systems and applications. This position requires sound judgment, the ability to manage competing deadlines and effective communication skills when working with staff, vendors and clients including individuals who may be upset or uncooperative.

Essential knowledge and specialized subject knowledge required to perform the essential functions of the job:

• Fundamental understanding of data privacy laws, statutes, regulations, or requirements pertaining to job duties.
• Fundamental understanding of basic accounting, accounting terminology, bookkeeping operations and functions, particularly as it pertains to billing of time and services.
• Knowledge of the application and use of computers, business productivity software/applications (e.g. Word, Excel, E-Mail, etc.) and a wide variety of customized programs and software utilized by the department (e.g. PH DOC, MAXIS, SSIS, IFSpi, MN-E Connect, MMIS, MN-ITS, QuickBooks, Application Extender, E-Time, Ucare, SCHA, Office Ally, PrimeWest, Availity, MGA, Revenue Recapture, MEC2, MECPro, Lexis, Nexis etc)
• Knowledge of department and county administrative policies and procedures.

Skilled in:

• Creating, maintaining and generating numerous statistical, database and financial reports.
• Oral and written communications.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, department heads, officials, and the public.
• Applying judgment in dealing with angry, hostile or uncooperative individuals.
• Applying billing procedures and operations to bill clients, insurance companies or other agencies for services, time or reimbursable activities or services. 
• Applying judgment in examining financial and service records to determine and identify discrepancies, billing requirements or problems with accounts.
• Recording, posting, receipting and monitoring account balances and client information.
• Performing work activities requiring attention to detail, precision and accuracy within established time requirements.
• Organizing, tracking and monitoring case activities, accounts and billings in accordance with the applicable policies, procedures, guidelines or orders.
• Learning and applying accounting procedures in a variety of financial accounting systems, portals or agency applications, (ex: PH DOC, MAXIS, SSIS, IFSpi, MN-E Connect, MMIS, MN-ITS, QuickBooks, Application Extender, E-Time, Office Suite, UCare, SCHA, Office Ally,PrimeWest, Availity, MGA, Revenue Recapture, MEC2, MECPro, Lexis Nexis, etc); in order to assist staff in capturing all revenue due and expense paid for all agency programs.