Accountant III - AR Access Rules

Location: Austin, TX

About the role

This position is in the Chief Financial Office’s Accounting Department. If you have experience in research, customer service, reconciliation, accounting, bookkeeping, or cash-handling, this job opportunity is for you.

• Receive and prepare refund requests, fund moves, claim setups, and additional requests sent in via email and USPS.
• Process and keep all client information remitted to the agency confidential.
• Research, analyze, sort, and process financial data utilizing multiple client-based accounting systems.
• Backup additional tasks and areas of Accounts Receivable (AR) as assigned by management.
• All tasks are performed in accordance with Federal and State guidelines managed by Senate Bill 245. Funds must be deposited within 72 hours of receipt.

Responsibilities

• Performs moderately complex (journey-level) accounting work under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Billing, collections, reconciliation, and late fee assessments for Access Rules (50%).
• Communicate with internal and external accounting teams via phone, email, and MS Team meetings to prepare and process fund move requests, claim setups, refunds, and any additional incoming tasks.
• Answer incoming client calls and make outbound phone calls regarding client account information.
• Verify the accuracy of client account information and request workflow logs to address discrepancies.
• Monitor the progress of workflow log requests from clients in the Accounts Receivable Tracking System (ARTS).
• Prepare refund requests, SARS, and fund moves sent to the ARTS Corrections inbox (Essential Job Function).
• Complete Provider Claim setups sent to ARTS Claims inbox (5%).
• Assist with State Reviews, one-time debit requests from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other requests sent to ARTS Projects inbox (15%).
• Process returned mail and requests from clients including address changes, deceased client updates, complete client case/payment history requests, Fair Hearing Appeal requests, disputes of liability, documentation, retrieve after-hours voicemails, and return client calls as needed.
• Process Treasury Offset Program (TOP) and Inspector General (IG) repayment agreements (10%).
• Backup to the following tasks:
  • Answer incoming calls determined by management to meet business needs.
  • Take inbound collection calls and respond to inquiries from clients who were overpaid by SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
  • Provide account information to clients using various databases.
  • Create, work, and monitor the progress of client workflow logs via ARTS for claim changes, reviews, and refund requests.
  • Make outbound return calls to clients to provide account details and answer inquiries received via voicemail.
  • Verify client account accuracy and update information as requested or needed.
  • Assist with New ARTS user setups, ARTS password resets, and TOP file uploads/downloads and Pending Top Collection lists (10%).
• Cross train in other areas of the Accounts Receivable Department to aid as a backup as needed and assigned by management (5%).
• Work on special assignments as determined by management to accommodate business needs and deadlines (5%).

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of billing, collections, financial research, accounting, finance, or cash-handling experience in a related field. State or governmental accounting preferred.
• Graduated from High School or equivalent.
• Demonstrate professionalism, consideration, and respect for others in the workplace.
• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift, and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy.

Skills

• Knowledge in billing, collections, research, customer service, reconciliation, cash handling, or fund processing, and knowledge of policies and procedures for handling funds including reconciliation.
• Skill in the use of office equipment, computers, and various software applications.
• Skill in problem identification and resolution.
• Ability to interpret and apply accounting data and work accurately with numerical detail.
• Ability to work within established deadlines and ability to prepare accurate reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with clients, providers, agency staff, and others.
• Ability to work under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Experience using automated accounting or customer database systems is preferred.
• Experience using MS Office suite or equivalent (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) is preferred.
• Excellent written communications as observed by detail and completeness of information provided on the state application.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• A defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Pay

Salary Range: $4,500.00 - $4,800.00 per month.

Schedule

• Shift: Day (First), weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Full-time, regular position.
• Travel: Up to 20%.
• Not eligible for telework.