Accounting Assistant - Cashier

This position is public facing and provides front desk customer service, cash receipting, and collections for City customer financial transactions as well as information regarding City services.  Duties include answering main switchboard line and department phones, working with customers to open/close and service utility accounts; receiving, processing and balancing payments from public utility customers and other City departments; issuing and managing City licenses, tax reporting, maintaining financial records and initiating collection procedures as necessary.Work activities involve multiple skills and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following depending on area of assignment, crew needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors.

• Coordinate and perform front desk, main switchboard, and referral functions: answer and route incoming calls, provide customer information regarding City services, make referrals to appropriate City staff, issue business license, business license renewal notices and animal licenses, and sign for and secure deliveries.
• Reconcile and deposit daily receipts and prepare the necessary reports in accordance with the City’s cash handling policy.
• Provide customer service to open/close and service utility accounts, resolve problems, and respond to complaints.
• Receipt, batch and balance all City payments received daily.
• Work closely with water services coordinator to coordinate and solve customer service issues for turn-off/turn-on of delinquent active accounts. Initiate collections process for unpaid closed accounts, issue thirty (30)-day letter, determine case-by-case payment arrangements, and prepare collection packet for credit bureau as necessary.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City officials and department heads, co-workers, supervisors and the public using good judgment to handle customer complaints, respond to inquiries and resolve concerns in a positive and timely manner using tact and courtesy, sometimes under stressful situations.
• Process, record and collect checks returned from the City’s financial institution.
• Receive and maintain records on gambling, franchise and business and occupation tax collections.
• Assist in implementing utility collection procedures and in the disconnection of services.
• Record and maintain records for City Beach/Windjammer and Park Facilities, and garbage service changes.
• Maintain and update the animal and business licensing databases.
• Assist in approving and posting advertisements to Channel 10.
• Aid or back up for utility billing, payroll, and mail distribution as assigned.

Associated Functions:

• Attend various continuing education meetings and seminars, and workshops.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge of:

• English, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and mathematics.

Skill in:

• High level customer service and communicate effectively in a courteous and helpful manner in a stressful and fast-paced environment.
• Problem-solving and good judgment.
• Use of standard office equipment, and personal computers.

Ability to:

• Read, understand and apply applicable City ordinances.
• Gain a working knowledge of accounting, financial, and cash handling policies and procedures of the City.
• Receipt, process and post cash and check transactions accurately and efficiently.
• Maintain confidentiality as appropriate.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Draft, compose and proof correspondence and memoranda.
• Ability to utilize computerized cash receipts system with associated City and department-specific software.

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.
 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of cashier (cash handling) and customer service experience in a high-volume environment with some collections experience.   
• Computer proficiency and experience with Microsoft products, spreadsheets, database, customized and menu-driven programs.  
• Keyboard typing speed of at least 40 wpm.  
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and ability to provide a driver’s abstract showing a good driving record.
• Complete a comprehensive criminal background screening to include credit check to be bonded, prior to hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or training beyond high school preferred such as office skills, customer service, basic accounting, and written and verbal communication.
• Familiarity with computerized receipting systems. 

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to remain stationary and/or move for extended periods of time and access all areas of the facility including stairs. Work requires ability to constantly operate a personal computer, telephone, and other equipment; the ability to communicate information and ideas so others understand, ability to observe details at a close range, and occasionally moving items more than twenty-five (25) pounds.

Safety Statement:
We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying, and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action, emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

Salary : $21 - $29