Utah Retirement Systems provides benefits for state and other Utah Public employees through the work of two divisions. The Retirement Office administers pension and retirement benefits.  PEHP Health & Benefits specializes in medical, dental, life, and other benefits.  We take pride in providing a peace of mind for thousands of Utah families.  We are committed to our public mission and maintaining a positive team environment.  We offer a competitive salary, and our benefits far exceed what most modern employers offer.

POSITION SUMMARY

Performs a variety of accounting and general management duties to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the general accounting functions of Public Employees Health Program (PEHP) and Utah Retirement Systems (URS). Directs and controls accounting procedures, processes, and staff involved in accounts receivable functions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

1. Resolves technical issues related to accounting procedures, reporting, balancing, and reconciling. Works with programming staff to develop and maintain billing programs and procedures, and to coordinate billing issues affected by other departments’ programming requests.
2. Leads and plans the billing operations including: designing, implementing, and enforcing office billing policies and procedures for all medical, dental, LTD, and Life insurance plans.
3. Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, develops team members to maximize potential, helps team members meet goals, welcomes newcomers, and promotes a team atmosphere.
4. Supervises training, sets employee goals, coaches, delegates assignments, coordinates special training, maintains quality control and setting goals and priorities in a timely and efficient manner.
5. Supervises the day-to-day operations of the Accounts Receivable team and monitors work flow to assure timely completion.
6. Assists and makes recommendations in evaluating worker performance, job retention, advancement, discipline and discharge. Participates in recruitment and selection process for new hires.
7. Audits accounts, billing programs and procedures to identify and resolve discrepancies. Prepares billing reconciliations and performs analysis.
8. Seeks continual process improvement to gain higher productivity and manages the billing and payment process.
9. Develops and documents reports as needed for both internal management and external stakeholders.
10. Runs programs to transfer accounts receivable transactions to the general ledger. Reviews error list and makes corrections before posting to the general ledger. Creates and maintains rates and rate tiers for plans for agencies, providing compatibility within and between computer systems and various other reporting processes.
11. Coordinates with other departments, legal staff, and URS to resolve issues relating to policies, plans, and procedures.
12. Interfaces with various state agencies and state finance to develop, reconcile, and process regular and special billings of state paid premiums for retired employees. Works with agencies to establish and facilitate premium billings, payment schedules, and reporting needs. Prepares and processes ACH files to the bank for electronic premium payments.
13. Receives and responds to COBRA appeals of terminated policies and advises other departments of COBRA law.
14. Prepares schedules, provides documentation, and coordinates with auditors.
15. Participates in training activities to obtain and maintain knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures, practices, laws, and statutes.
16. Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
17. Maintains strict confidentiality.
18. Performs other similar duties as required.

Education and Experience

Bachelor Degree in accounting, finance, business, business management, or a related field; and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management or accounting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position:

Required technical skills include the working knowledge and ability of:

• Microsoft Office Suite. Including intermediate Excel knowledge to record and document all expenses and payments.
• Ability to translate business needs into technical language.

Required mathematical skills include knowledge of:

• Calculating figures and amounts such as interest.
• Apply concepts of basic algebra, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Statistical measures, calculations, and terminology.

Required accounting skills include working knowledge of:

• Accounting principles related to accounts receivable processing as established by AICPA and GASB.
• Thorough knowledge of professional accounting standards and ethics.
• Internal control principles and methods of application.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to tax reporting as it relates to healthcare, specifically the ACA and COBRA.
• Budgetary principles.
• Analyze a variety of financial problems and make recommendations.

Must possess excellent communication skills:

• Read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or regulations.
• Write reports and business correspondence.
• Speak and write clearly with agency groups and individual members concerning processing of bills and accounts receivable posting.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.

Must have the ability to:

• Possess the initiative to stay abreast of laws and internal billing procedures.
• Be proactive.
• Be efficient and accurate.
• Attend to detail.
• Apply policies and procedures to work situations.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with groups, members, managers, and the public.
• Apply motivation techniques and principles of supervision.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Prioritize work.
• Perform within deadlines.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Multi-task by handling a variety of duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Follow through with assignments.
• Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.

The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of URS.

Work Environment

Incumbent performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions.