Utility Billing Clerk

City of Coweta; Coweta (OK); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Coweta seeks a Utility Billing/Finance Clerk to handle routine and complex clerical work in billing and collection of utility accounts, and processing payments and expenditures through the accounts payable system.

Responsibilities include data entry for bills, meter readings, preparation of bills and monthly reconciling with the general ledger, while maintaining accurate vendor and customer files and resolving billing issues for a broad customer base.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in municipal billing or accounts payable, or related work.
• Experience with Incode or other municipal utility billing software preferred.
• High school diploma or GED with coursework in general office practices such as typing, accounting, and data processing.

Responsibilities

• Enter data for processing utility bills.
• Process meter readings and prepare bills.
• Maintain customer account files and respond to inquiries.
• Process accounts payable transactions and vendor payments.
• Assist in reconciling billing activity with the general ledger.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Communication

Data entry

Accounts payable

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Incode

Job description

Description

Job Summary: The Utility Billing/Finance Clerk is responsible for routine and complex clerical, administrative and data processing work in the billing and collection of utility accounts and the processing and monitoring of payments and expenditures through the accounts payable system. Must have the ability to effectively resolve utility billing issues while dealing with a broad customer base, and process accounts payable in an effective and efficient manner to ensure vendors are paid within established time frames.

Examples of Duties

Essential Job Functions
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:

1. Enter all pertinent data for processing utility bills.
2. Process meter reading data.
3. Prepare and mails utility bills.
4. Maintain current customer account files.
5. Create bank drafts for auto payments.
6. Perform the day-to-day processing of accounts payable transactions to ensure that municipal finances are maintained in an effective, up to date and accurate manner.
7. Receive and verify invoices and requisitions for goods and services.
8. Verify that transactions comply with financial policies and procedures.
9. Prepare batches of invoices for data entry.
10. Enter invoices for payment.
11. Process reports after data entry.
12. Manage the weekly check run.
13. Prepare vendor checks for mailing.
14. Maintain updated vendor files and file numbers.
15. Assist in reconciling utility billing activity with the general ledger.
16. Maintain rate files and maintain schedules to perform billing procedures in a timely manner.
17. Prepare monthly calendar for zone billing and collections.
18. Pursue collection of delinquent utility accounts, including preparation and mailing of final notices, shut-off and turn-on orders; monitor payment schedules; prepare write-offs when necessary.
19. Process service orders for utility disconnections, re-connections, new service orders, and other public works service requests.
20. Enter all meter inventory, meter exchanges, and new installs in the system.
21. Provide customer service by receiving telephone calls and citizen visits concerning utility billings or services; handle questions and matters concerning utility accounts; respond to citizen complaints.
22. Recommend required changes needed or equitable solutions to billing problems.
23. Act as a resource person to provide billing information to various City staff; and perform research as needed.
24. Serve as a member of various employee committees as needed.
25. Perform related tasks and other duties and assignments as required.

Typical Qualifications

Experience Required:3 years of experience in municipal billing and accounts payable, or the performance of related or similar work; experience with Incode software or other municipal utility billing software preferred. Any equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
Minimum Education Requirements: Graduation from a high school or GED equivalent with course work in general office practices such as typing, accounting, use of business machines and data processing.

Supplemental Information

Essential Functions, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Employment
An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:
Knowledge

• Proper public and telephone etiquette concerning complaints.
• Modern office procedures and account posting procedures.
• Principles and practices of accounting related to revenue collection and utility billing.
• Accounts payable, accounts receivable, and maintenance of general ledgers.

Skills

• Attention to detail and ensure accuracy of work.
• Handle stress effectively without it interfering with performance.
• Ability to work under pressure and/or with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to effectively deal with angry or difficult customers.
• Ability to organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Abilities

• Analyze and interpret billing records.
• Perform arithmetic computations accurately and quickly.
• Effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions.
• Efficient operation of personal computer, calculator, central billing system terminal, telephone, typewriter, cash register, fax machine, and copy machine.
• Must be able to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships and attitudes with co-workers and the public.