Accountant- Accounts Receivable

City of Essex Junction; Essex (VT); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Sick days

VMERS pension

Deferred compensation (VMERS DC)

457 plan / IRA options

Health insurance

Opt-out pay

Dental & vision

Short-term disability

Hybrid work

Flexible schedule

PSLP eligibility

Job summary

City of Essex Junction seeks a detail-oriented Accountant – Accounts Receivable to manage utility, tax, and miscellaneous AR. Requires strong Microsoft Excel skills, independence, and confidentiality. Hybrid work option and comprehensive benefits are available.

The role emphasizes accurate billing, timely payments, and adherence to City policies, with opportunities to back up payroll and AP tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and good organizational skills.
• Proficient in grammar, spelling, and mathematical skills.
• Strong experience with Microsoft programs (Excel) and Acrobat Pro.
• Ability to work independently and handle confidential information.
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Perform utility billing processes and maintain direct debit records for enrolled customers.
• Coordinate water shut-off with Public Works and Clerk staff.
• Maintain and produce final utility bills and meter reads.
• Interact with customers to resolve account issues per policies.
• Assist with tax billing and accounts receivable billings for the City.
• Backup Accountant I functions including bi-weekly payroll and accounts payable.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Microsoft Excel

Education

Associate’s Degree

Tools

Acrobat Pro

Electronic filing systems

Job description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and organized individual to join our team as an Accountant‑ Accounts Receivable. This role involves handling finance functions related to utility, tax, and miscellaneous accounts receivable for the City. You will follow established procedures, policies, rules, and regulations to ensure accurate and timely billing, payment processing, and account maintenance. The ideal candidate should have strong experience with Microsoft programs, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. If you are looking for a dynamic and collaborative work environment,

Pay/Wages

The pay range is $22.90 to $26.46 based on experience.

Benefits

(this is not a comprehensive list of benefits)

• 3 weeks paid vacation to start.(vacation increases based on tenure)
• 14 paid holidays
• 18 sick days per year
• Retirement benefits include apension plan (VMERS C)or deferred compensation plan (VMERS DC) , and the ability to contribute to a 457, Traditional IRA or ROTH
• Generous health insurance benefit in which the City pays 95% of the premium for medical and the first 80% of the deductible. After that, you are only responsible for the next 20%, which is not more than $600 for single plans and no more than $1200 for all other plans for covered medical expenses.
• Generous health insurance opt-out benefit: Employees with alternative coverage may receive a monthly opt-out payment of $375.81 Individual, $751.62 Couple, $725.31 Parent/Child(ren), or $1,056.02 Family.
• 100% employer paid for dental and vision
• 100% employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Hybrid work available
• Flexible work schedule available
• Eligibilityfor the Public Service Loan Program
  

  Summary/Objective

  
  The primary objective of this position is to perform various accounting functions for utility, tax and miscellaneous accounts receivable for the City within the framework and timeline of established procedures, policies, rules and regulations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Perform all functions of the utility billing process, including creating bills, maintaining direct debit payment records for all enrolled customers, assessing interest and penalties as prescribed, and processing direct debits for all payment due dates.
• Coordinate the water shut-off process with Public Works and Clerk staff.
• Maintain utility billing system.
• Produce final utility bills and coordinate final meter reads on accounts.
• Work directly with customers to provide information and resolve account issues in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Initiate and oversee various projects related to water meter and account maintenance for all utility customers.
• Perform functions on behalf of Finance as the super-user for the water meter reading software.
• Perform all functions of the property tax billing process, including creating bills, creating revised bills, maintaining direct debit payment records for all enrolled customers, assessing interest and penalties as prescribed, and processing direct debits for all payment due dates.
• Maintain tax billing system.
• Assist the Finance Director with annual utility rate setting process.
• Prepare and issue miscellaneous accounts receivable billings for the City.
• Ability to interact with various individuals courteously and efficiently, including City officials and staff, City residents, and representatives of outside organizations.
• Maintain and keep current all related procedures for the position.
• Interpret and execute statute and local policies related to utility and tax billing.
• Suggest policy and procedure updates guided by statute and recommended best practice, and implement with staff and customers.
• Serve as the primary backup for Accountant I functions, primarily processing bi-weekly payroll and accounts payable.
• Assist other finance department staff when requested.
  

  Qualifications

• Attention to detail and good organizational skills.
• Proficient in grammar, spelling, and mathematical skills.
• Understanding of computer systems. Strong experience using Microsoft programs (especially Excel), Acrobat Pro, and electronic filing systems.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to use discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to deal courteously and efficiently with a variety of individuals including customers/residents, City officials and staff, and representatives of outside organizations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The work can be sedentary for long periods, repeating the same movements, handling control, or feeling objects, tools, or controls. The ability to understand the speech of another person, the ability to communicate clearly, so listeners understand. Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Travel Required

Occasional local travel for workshops and trainings.

Required Education and Experience

Associate’s Degree in an appropriate discipline and one year of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

Preferred Education and Experience

Two to three years of relevant experience.