Accountant 2/Utility Billing June 2025

Job Description:

Accountant 2/Utility Billing June 2025

Description

The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain service members and veterans.

General Description

The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity Employer, who provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain servicemembers and veterans.

The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for a Full-Time Accountant 2 for Utilities in our Finance Department. A pre-employment physical will be required, except for current employees who have met this requirement.

Why Join Us?
Innovative Projects:Advance projects that protect and enhance our coastal environment and the Town way of life.Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuing education, certifications, and job specific training.Community Impact: Make a difference in a community that values dependability, resilience, fiscal sustainability and excellence.Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a supportive work environment with flexible working arrangements
POSTING HIGHLIGHTS

The Town of Longboat Key is a beautiful place to live, work and visit. Join our team at the Town of Longboat Key, a premier coastal community renowned for its exceptional service and commitment to quality of life.

Accountant 2/Utility Billing - Premier Coastal Community
Hiring Range: $54,000 - $70,000
Benefits:

• Retirement: Town contributes 6% of employee’s salary, plus 50% of contribution up to 3% if employee contributes, for a maximum of 9% to retirement plan plus a 401K with a match.
• Health Insurance Cost: for employees and 88% for family coverage
• Other Benefits: Dental plan, Vision plan, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, all at good, competitive rates.
• Regular Vacation: 80 hours earned per year plus 2 personal days
• Sick Leave: 95 hours per year
• Wellness Days: Earn up to two additional days off per year

EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
Supports the organization’s mission, vision and values by exhibiting the following behaviors:
Be Service Minded
Value Teamwork
Be Professional
Have the Utmost Integrity
Demonstrates Mutual Respect
Bring a Positive Attitude to Work
Embrace Continuous Improvement

FUNCTIONS
Accountant Level 2
Accounts Receivables and Billing - Water and Sewer Department
Customer Service
Cash Receipting
Backup to Accounts Payable and Deposit Reconciliation

Under general supervision of the Accounting and Budget Managers, the purpose of the job is to perform utility billing, collection of revenue, receipting and routine accounting work in accordance with established procedures, departmental guidelines, and regulatory requirements applicable to the work. This is an in-person customer service-oriented position with high phone call volume and must be able to handle complaints and resolve problems with tact. Employees in this job classification function at comprehensive level to accomplish assigned functions according to established schedules, calendars, projects, and programs of the assigned department. Work includes preparation, auditing, reconciliation, recording, processing, balancing and distribution of Utility billing accounts and operations, e.g., online metering, billing and payments; accounts receivable and payable; accounting records and reports. Position coordinates with Public Works and other departments regarding operational and accounting functions.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Note - This list is intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES

• Performs accounting assignments for the Town’s utility operation according to established procedures, departmental guidelines, and regulatory requirements applicable to the work, in accordance with Town Code and bond covenants.
• Initiates, maintains and terminates utility customer accounts; prepares and distributes all account and operation documentation, e.g., delinquency lists, late notices, audit reports.
• Generates monthly bills for water, sewer and solid waste user fees and coordinates with third party printer/mailing service provider.
• Tracks history of rate increases, implements rate changes in the system and assists in the preparation of Resolutions for Town rate increases and Manatee County Pass-throughs.
• Assists in providing data for rate studies performed by contracted professionals.
• Responsible for coordinating with departments on all requested printed inserts, alerts, and messages on monthly utility bills.
• Performs various account receivable processes including collecting, recording and reconciling payments received from merchant services, lock box, walk-ins, mailings, and phone.
• Reconciles utility deposits, issues refunds, reviews accounts for write-offs, and performs periodic reconciliations of receivables and other subsidiary accounts to the General Ledger.
• Reconciles solid waste fee collections and remits monthly payment to the Town’s service provider.
• Generates various system reports and calculations and ensures accuracy, e.g., meter readings, consumption reports, billing data, electronic transfers, payment collection and deposits.
• Monitors and reviews Utility account records and billing activities to ensure accuracy.
• Coordinates with Public Works regarding work order operational functions, e.g., shut-off notifications, change in service, discrepancy reports, zero usage reports, demolitions, new meter installations, broken meters, rereads, consumption audits.
• Coordinates with IT Department and Financial Systems Administrator on ERP systems, software development, implementation, installation, problems or resolutions.
• Creates Standards of Procedures on repetitive tasks utilizing updated ERP systems, tested and approved by management.
• Report to work as required by the Disaster Plan Recovery guide and regular attendance during normal working schedule other than excused or job-related absences.
• Assists Finance Department team with other accounting functions and reporting when needed.
• Cross-trained with ability to perform duties of Accounts Payable/Cash Receipting functions.
• Performs related duties as deemed necessary by the Town and communicated to the employee by his/her supervisor or department head.

OTHER TASKS
Every incidental duty connected with this position cannot be specified in the job description and an employee, at the discretion of the Town, may be required to perform duties that are not included in this job description. Employees are expected to take on additional duties as assigned or modify schedules to the best of their ability for the good of the team and the department.

Knowledge, Abilities, & Qualifications

JOB PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Skill in performing mathematical computations and tabulations accurately and efficiently. Skill in performing business mathematics, including accounting, and finance functions. Ability to prepare accurate accounting reports and statements. Skilled with calculators and computers with ability to use word processing, spreadsheets and other accounting software. Able to work in a team environment. Ability to communicate professionally verbally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, employees, division and department heads, public/private sector contacts. Ability to organize work, prioritize, meet established deadlines, and follow up on assignments with minimal direction. Skill in the principles and techniques of customer service skills; ability to deal diplomatically with irate individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education.Degree in finance, accounting and/or a closely related field.Ability to communicate effectively with staff and the public, using tact and discretion, and responding to questions, comments and complaints from staff and citizens in a calm, professional manner. Ability to compose correspondence and other related materials while effectively employing principles of excellent correspondence.

Experience.1-3 years of experience in billing, accounts receivable, customer service, or related fields is required. Experience with utility billing software systems, is also highly desired.

• Skills.Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are essential. Ability to perform complex mathematical calculations with error free accuracy. Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word and Excel required.
• A valid driver’s license.

An equivalent combination of experience, education and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required for the position will also be considered. A comparable amount of training and experience in local government budgeting may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Working Conditions & Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS
General office environment; majority of time is spent at a desk or computer workstation.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town of Longboat Key provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

The Town is a Drug Free Workplace, in compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, in § 440.102, FS and Rules 59A-24 F.A.C (Florida Administrative Code). State and federal laws and regulations may subject certain employees to additional drug testing requirements. Any employee who violates the program is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our Web page at:

https://www.longboatkey.org/town-government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits

Closing Date/Time: 6/30/2025 4:00 AM Eastern

Salary:

$54,000.00 - $70,000.00 Annually