Accountant I

Position Purpose:

The Accountant I role is responsible for providing accounting, analytical, and financial support for BEMC's Billing function while also performing general accounting and financial responsibilities.

This position will play an important role in ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of BEMC's billing and revenue processes.

Essential Functions:

1. Analyze billing data and activity to identify unusual transactions, trends, discrepancies, and potential billing errors.
2. Support the monthly billing process by reviewing billing information for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
3. Analyze the application of approved rates, charges, adjustments, taxes, fees, and other billing components.
4. Research and assist in resolving billing discrepancies, system errors, failed billing processes, and other issues affecting member accounts.
5. Support analysis associated with BEMC's time-based rate structure and other rate-related initiatives.
6. Analyze large volumes of billing and meter data to identify trends, exceptions, errors, and opportunities for improvement.
7. Prepare billing and revenue reports and analysis for management.
8. Assist with testing, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of billing system changes, upgrades, and new processes.
9. Work with Billing and other departments to identify recurring issues and develop solutions that improve billing accuracy and reliability.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze large volumes of financial, billing, and operational data; identify trends and discrepancies; and determine appropriate corrective action.
• Problem Solving: Ability to investigate complex billing and accounting issues, identify root causes, and develop practical solutions.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy while working with large amounts of financial and billing information.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, particularly Word and Excel, and the ability to learn and effectively use financial and billing systems.
• Organization: Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet established deadlines, and work effectively in a deadline-driven environment.
• Communication: Demonstrated listening, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to explain financial and billing information clearly to both accounting and non-accounting personnel.
• Confidentiality: Ability to exercise discretion in handling sensitive member, financial, and cooperative information.
• Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with Accounting, Billing, Member Service, Metering, Operations, and other departments.
• Adaptability: Willingness and ability to learn new technologies, billing processes, rate structures, and procedures.
• Continuous Improvement: Interest in identifying opportunities to improve processes, increase efficiency, reduce errors, and strengthen internal controls.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance; or
2. Associate's Degree in a business-related field and at least five (5) years of accounting work experience.
3. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred Requirements:

1. Electric cooperative experience.
2. Five (5) or more years of accounting or finance experience.
3. Experience with utility billing, revenue analysis, or customer account systems.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities