Finance Specialist – Utility Billing/Business Tax & Licensing (B&O)

City of Lake Forest Park • Full-time • Lake Forest Park, WA • $30 - $40 / hour • 3w ago

Under the direction of the Accounting Supervisor, the Finance Specialist is responsible for administering the City’s sewer billing and payment processing program including billing, receipting, and maintaining account and customer information in utility/business tax and licensing system; reconciles, audits and enters various data into financial tracking system; processes business licenses and tax receipts and renewals including maintaining, reconciling and record maintenance; provides accounting, clerical research and confidential administrative support to Administrative and other City staff; prepares and maintains accounting records for utility billing, business tax and licensing, and other financial data; applies accurate fiscal management policies, procedures and internal controls for the City in accordance with City policy, State and Federal regulations; provides timely and accurate payments to vendors and State and Federal agencies; compiles, monitors, verifies and reconciles all financial data in the City’s general ledger and utility systems; provides finance-related customer service and information to staff, external customers, and vendors; assists in the auditing of Finance as directed. Serves as backup support for duties related to processing accounts payable including maintaining, reconciling and record maintenance for all City payables.

Duties require strong customer services skills and considerable attention to detail, adaptability, and ability to meet rigid deadlines. Responsibilities have a significant impact on the department's operations, budget, accounting, record keeping, legal filings and customer satisfaction.

This position is not eligible for a remote/hybrid work schedule. I. Utility Billing:

Process bi-monthly sewer bills to include processing and posting sewer receipts to the utility billing system daily.
Update accounts for new hook-ups and change of ownership/occupancy, and pro-rate billings in partnership with the Community Development Department.
Print and process bills for mailing bi-monthly.
Monitor account collections.
Estimate and process escrow requests in a timely manner.
Generate letters of delinquent accounts, process and if necessary, forward them to the county for property liens.
Complete quarterly and annual utility reports meeting the assigned deadline.
Continually monitor and audit internal billing system for accuracy.
Assist with rate and revenue projections during the regular and mid-biennial budget process.

II. Business Tax and Licensing (B&O):

Process business license applications and annual renewals promptly to maintain accurate records in the City’s financial system
Cash receipt business tax and licensing daily, processing electronic payments.
Print, mail, and process business tax returns on a quarterly or annual basis.
Contact unlicensed businesses and businesses with expired licenses for proper compliance with licensing ordinance by phone and through correspondence; prepare and issue notices for delinquent, unlicensed businesses and renewal licenses for businesses, following through with necessary collection procedures.
Provide customer service and assist taxpayers with general information and account maintenance to ensure compliance with the tax and business license codes.
Review customer accounts and tax filings for accuracy and compliance with code. Includes detailed taxpayer account reconciliations, identification of refunds, reviewing transactions and business licenses, and identification of unregistered businesses.
Collaborate with Municipal Services and other City departments regarding annual business licensing processes and user fees.
Conduct petty cash audits semiannually to ensure correct records and accounting.
Assist with annual audits by the State Auditor. Includes researching, analyzing and preparing requested documentation for the audit liaison.
Provide assistance with annual report filing support related to business tax and licensing duties.
Maintain current, accurate financial records in the City’s business tax and licensing financial system.
Respond to requests for information, internal and external.
Assist the Finance Department in developing improved accounting and financial management procedures for the City.

III. Departmental & Accounts Payable Backup Support:

Provide back-up support for accounts payable duties. Includes: Processing and reviewing invoices for accounts payable and processes; printing claims checks and entering accounts payables in financial tracking system; Receives new vendors information, ensures vendor packet is complete, and submits for entry; Assists departments with inquiries related to invoices and provides appropriate account coding and monitor budget allocations to actual expenditures; Process all accounts payable; record receipts or expenditures and maintain computer records of transactions; Prepare accounts receivable invoices as needed; Prepare and send 1099’s to appropriate vendors annually.
Assist with the annual audits by the State Auditor’s Office including preparing and reviewing documentation requested by the auditor and providing requested documentation to the audit liaison for submission.
Maintain accounts payable, accounts receivable and other financial records; assists Records Officer in archiving financial records as needed according to the records retention schedule and maintaining compliance and accuracy in all record retention procedures.
Conduct financial research and analysis as needed under the direction of the Finance Director or Accounting Supervisor.

Education and Experience

Required:

Two (2) years of college level course work in accounting, finance, or related field AND at least three (3) years of financial or accounting experience involving the use of asset management systems and bookkeeping principles OR equivalent education/experience.

Preferred:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field.
Working knowledge in accounting and utility/ business tax and licensing programs similar to those used by the City (Springbrook, File Local).
Prior experience in utility billing, business tax and licensing and/or accounts payable.
Prior experience with the State Budgeting Accounting & Reporting System (BARS) for public sector financial management.

For more information about the role, visit the job description: https://cityoflfp.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11944/Finance-Specialist---Utility-BillingBusiness-Tax--Licensing

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee

encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The position works in a standard office environment with moderate noise levels.