Utility Billing Lead

JOB SUMMARY:

The Utility Billing Lead is responsible for accurately generating and managing customer invoices, tracking accounts receivable, ensuring timely payments, and resolving billing discrepancies by verifying the status of customer accounts, electric rates, and customer meter readings while adhering to current statutes, regulations, utility tariffs, and company policies. The Utility Billing Lead provides training and supports the department’s less experienced Utility Billing Specialists with tasks related to payment processing, resolving billing inquiries, and maintaining up-to-date records of financial transactions.  This position handles more complex, detailed matters and customer inquiries and is a backup to the Manager of Regulatory Affairs as needed. This role requires strong attention to detail and proficiency in billing software to maintain accurate financial records.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Invoice Generation:

• Prepare and render accurate customer invoices based on electric meter readings and billing rates, ensuring compliance with current tariffs and billing guidelines. 
• Review and verify billing data for accuracy
• Investigate and resolve billing discrepancies using two different accounting software
• Communicate with customers regarding billing inquiries
• Collaborate with other departments and utility personnel to ensure billing accuracy

Payment Processing

• Receive and record incoming payments from customers
• Verify payment details against invoices and customer accounts
• Post payments to appropriate accounts and prepare daily bank deposits

·        Reconciles bank deposits, preparing and posting adjusting entries to GL accounts when needed

• Assist with month-end billing reconciliations and closing processes

Account Management

• Process work orders for new customer accounts and the modifications or closures of existing accounts
• Send timely payment reminders and shut-off notices to customers with high, outstanding balances and supervise collection efforts if needed
• Investigate and resolve billing discrepancies
• Verify payment details against invoices and customer accounts
• Maintain accurate customer records, including billing addresses, meter locations, contact details, and payment history, updating customer account information when needed
• Generate and analyze billing reports to identify trends, potential issues, and metering abnormalities by using past consumption patterns, seasonal variations, and other pertinent factors

The additional duties that separate the Utility Billing Lead position from those of the Utility Billing Specialists include:

·        Training and coaching Utility Billing Specialists on routine, daily functions

·        Initiates and supervises collection efforts when such action is deemed necessary to recover delinquent, overdue customer payments or high outstanding balances

·        Review and approve customer account adjustments

·        Assist with the preparation of Utility Regulatory audits

·        Assist the Utility Billing Specialist with the more complex customer account questions or issues as they relate to the interpretation and application of current utility tariffs, statutes or regulations 

·        Provides information and support to utility personnel operating at the utilities’ local power generation facilities

·        Actively research, review, and recommend possible internal and external training opportunities for both the Utility Billing Lead and the Utility Billing Specialist positions.

·        Assist the Regulatory Affairs Manager with streamlining and documenting processes and procedures.

·        Performs other duties as required.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and accounting software
• A four-year college degree in accounting, finance, business economics, or other discipline related to the position's duties. (Relevant work experience may be substituted part or all of this requirement)
• 3 years of full-charge work experience in account billing, coding, or accounts payables/ receivables
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines with minimal supervision

• Previous work experience with interpreting utility tariffs, statutes, and regulations and applying them to common and uncommon utility situations

DESIRED QUALITIES:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should also possess the following qualities.

• Good interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Possess strong organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to multi-task and adapt quickly in a dynamic work environment.
• Knowledge of electric utility operations and power generation is strongly preferred.

·       Recognizes the need for confidentiality.

·       Work well under stress

·       Previous management or supervisory experience a plus

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties or skills required of a person in this position.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of TDX Power