Accountant- Accounts Receivable

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

Benefits offered by this job

Three weeks vacation to start

14 paid holidays

18 sick days per year

Pension plan (VMERS C) or VMERS DC

Health insurance 94% premium

Opt-out health premium option

Dental and vision 100% paid by city

Short-term disability and life insured

Hybrid work available

Flexible schedule

Public Service Loan Program

Job summary

City of Essex Junction is hiring an Accountant- Accounts Receivable to manage utility and tax billing, process payments, and maintain AR records. The role requires accuracy, strong Excel skills, and the ability to work independently within a team.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to contribute to policy updates and system improvements.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Proficient in grammar, spelling, and mathematical skills.
• Strong experience with Microsoft programs (especially Excel) and Acrobat Pro.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Handle utility billing and direct debit records, assess penalties, and process direct debits.
• Maintain utility and tax billing systems and related records.
• Produce final utility bills, coordinate meter reads, and interact with customers to resolve issues.
• Assist Finance Director with annual utility rate setting and miscellaneous AR billings.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Independent work

2-3 years experience

Education

Associate's Degree

Tools

Excel

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.

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 a pension 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 94% 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
• Eligibility for 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

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.