Financial Associate II - Billing Specialist

St. Croix; New Richmond (WI); On-site; USD 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Croix County is seeking an experienced accounting professional to manage accounts payable, journal entries, and general ledger reconciliation within a government finance setting. The role includes reviewing invoices, processing deposits, and maintaining accurate financial records.

The ideal candidate will have an associate degree in accounting or related field and at least two years in a bookkeeping or accounting role. Knowledge of GASB/GAAP and EHR systems is a plus.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in accounting, finance, business, management or related field.
• Minimum of two years of experience in an accounting/bookkeeping position.

Responsibilities

• Receives invoices from vendors and enters charges into the EHR.
• Reconciles General Ledger accounts and prepares journal entries.
• Conducts financial interviews to determine eligibility and collects required signatures.
• Verifies insurance benefits and obtains prior authorizations as needed.
• Prepares daily appointment schedules and reviews insurance notes.
• Bills services to Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance and self pay; follows up on unpaid claims.
• Assists with deposits and journal entries for recording deposits to G/L.
• Applies payments to consumer accounts and handles rate adjustments and refunds.
• Communicates with consumers to collect payments and set up payment plans.
• Assists consumers with applications for medical assistance and family care.
• Provides Medicare Notices of Non-Coverage and assists with appeals.

Skills

Accounting principles

Budgeting

Auditing

Financial reporting

Time management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Associate degree in accounting, finance, business, management or related field

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

G/L accounting software

Job description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Receives invoices from vendors. Review for accuracy and confirm rates match contract amounts. Enters charges into Electronic Health Record (E.H.R)
• Reconciles General Ledger accounts and prepares journal entries.
• Completes financial interviews with consumers either in person or over the phone to gather insurance information, verification of assets and income to determine ability to pay. Obtain signatures on required paperwork for releases, ABN and billing.
• Verifies insurance benefits and obtains prior authorizations for services. Reviews documentation submitted by staff to ensure accurate completion before submission. Monitors use of services and obtains additional authorizations as they expire, or approved visits are consumed.
• Prepares the daily appointment schedule. Reviews insurance notes and most recent interview date and notes.
• Bills services to Medicare, Medicaid, Commercial Insurance, and Self Pay. Follows-up on unpaid claims.
• Sorts, balances, and assigns G/L account numbers to cash, checks, credit card and EFT payments received.
• Completes deposit and provides treasurer and other departments with deposit documentation. Creates journal entries for recording of deposit to G/L.
• Applies payments to consumer accounts in Electronic Health Record (E.H.R); makes rate adjustments, initiates refund for over payments, disputes incorrect claim payments or denials.
• Communicates with consumers to accept payments, provides explanations regarding account balances, and sets up payment plans on past due accounts.
• Assists consumers with applications for medical assistance and family care.
• Provides Medicare Notices of Non-Coverage to consumers. Assists with appeals and denial process.
• Other duties as assigned.

The allocation of duties for this position will be dependent upon the assignment of the position. Duties will be assigned accordingly.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, and auditing principles (including GASB rules and GAAP standards) and methods in their application to a government accounting system.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting methods, procedures, and financial practices.
• Knowledge of County programs, funding sources, and specific regulations governing expenditures and revenues.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of public administration, with particular reference to governmental budget and finance administration.
• Ability to prepare and maintain complex and accurate financial documents and reports.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to maintain accurate and legible notes.
• Knowledge of County policies, procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of local government organization and its departmental operating requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other.
• Ability to analyze and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data.
• Ability to type and key entry accurately at a reasonable rate of speed.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and perform word processing and/or data entry.
• General knowledge of current office practices and procedures.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to communicate effectively with other members of the staff, supervisor, and the public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal form.
• Must be proficient in workplace English and spelling.
• Ability to read County policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, etc.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to calculate mathematical calculations.
• Ability to comprehend complex financial records.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to respond to complaints and grievances posed by the public.
• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to develop, interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of situations.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain discretion regarding business‑related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations.
• Organizational and time management skills needed to meet deadlines.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.
• Ability to use good judgement and effectively solve problems.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work has no exposure to environmental conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is primarily in an office setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associates degree in accounting, finance, business, management or related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in an accounting/bookkeeping position.
• Equivalent combination of education, skills, knowledge, and abilities may be substituted for above listed requirements.
• Appointment will be conditional upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a nursing home, medical or mental health field.
• Medical claim submission and compliance requirements within CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).

Starting pay is determined within the expected hiring range based on qualifications, directly related experience, and internal equity. Employees may advance through the full salary range in accordance with County policy.

Full Pay Range: $24.10 - $33.59/hour

Expected Pay Range: $24.10 - $27.27/hour

FTE: 1.0

Department: Finance

St. Croix County is anequal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to an individual’s race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.