Fiscal Specialist 1 - Accounts Receivable & Collections

The Opportunity: Skagit Valley College (SVC) is accepting applications for a  Fiscal Specialist 1, Accounts Receivable & Collections Accountant in the Business Office. The position provides financial and clerical services in the area of Accounts Receivable. The successful candidate will demonstrate efficiency, timeliness and accuracy. The Fiscal Specialist will work under the general supervision of the Director of Business Services, providing support in the area of Accounts Receivable.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible, classified position working 12 months a year at the Skagit Valley College Business Office in Mount Vernon, Washington.

The Location:Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People's, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

Guiding Principles: Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration,

 and Compassion.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor's degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC's Vision statement; "Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities."

SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all.

SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services.  Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply. Skagit Valley College offers:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.
• Use the college Financial Management System to maintain receivables on student accounts from state and federal agencies, school districts, college departments and businesses; 
• Print, distribute and track payments on all invoices and other receivables for the Business Office and Bookstore; 
• Check all invoices for accuracy and send to agencies, complying with the specific needs and requirements of each; 
• Send past due notices on unpaid invoices as appropriate; 
• Match receipts for payments to invoices and consult with agencies to resolve unpaid or billing discrepancies; 
• Maintain all files on college receivables by storing invoices and bad debts in a filing system and following up on outstanding receivables in a timely manner; 
• Prepare Running Start invoices to school districts and providing administration with monthly fiscal reports related to Running Start billings/payments; 
• Provide customer service to students, parents, agencies and college staff in relation to student accounts; 
• Maintain records regarding non-sufficient funds (NSF) checks.  Work with third party vendor for collection on NSF checks; 
• Track delinquent student accounts and submit to third party vendor for collections; 
• Send bad debt invoices for Financial Aid department and submit to collections; 
• Work with students that have outstanding debts owed to the college to establish payment plans; 
• Work closely with cashiers to maintain accurate student accounts and agency records;
• Provide support to other college departments, including Financial Aid, Veterans Office, and Enrollment Services, related to accounts receivable; 
• Provide support to cashiers in problem solving various transactions; 
• Verify accuracy and authorize tuition/fees refund requests for students; 
• Process student web credit card refunds and check refund requests; 
• Responsible for the safe/cash drawer in the business office. Make change for cashiers and other college departments, request change from bank as needed, and verify the change funds by daily audit; 
• Prepare cash bags/change funds for college events as requested by staff and student body clubs. Reconcile and process cash records after the event; 
• Perform backup cashiering duties as needed. Cover lunch hours, vacation and sick leave as necessary; 
• Determine accounts receivable that are uncollectible to be written off the accounting system on an annual basis; 
• Perform accounting activities to ensure the delivery of accurate, timely accounting services to SVC staff and students and to external governmental and private parties; 
• Back up other business office functions and be cross trained to provide back up in areas, such as accounts payable and revenue accounting, during times of need; 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge or understanding of:

• Skagit Valley College policies and procedures; 
• State and Federal laws affecting Skagit Valley College; 
• Accounting principles to maintain accounts receivable.

Skills:

• Use Microsoft Office Suite (Excel), e-mail, internet and search engines; 
• Communicate orally and in writing in English; 
• Time management skills. Plan and manage time efficiently.  Successfully meet deadlines to ensure continued delivery of services. 

Ability to:

• Respect and maintain confidentiality; 
• Act as an effective communication link and reliable source of information to others; 
• Responsibly and accurately handle the public's money when processing financial transactions and consistently follow applicable fiscal guidelines, regulations, principles and standards; 
• Apply practical accounting techniques; 
• Recognize when mathematical calculations are incorrect and correct errors; 
• Use critical thinking, reasoning and experience to make sound decisions; 
• Accept personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Produce accurate results with little need for oversight; 
• Adapt easily to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities; 
• Work in a team environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School graduation or equivalent;
• Fifteen (15) quarter hours or ten (10) semester hours of college-level accounting or bookkeeping; 
• Three (3) years of fiscal record keeping experience. 

OR 

• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in Washington State Higher Education; 
• Education and/or experience in governmental or non-profit accounting; 
• Knowledge of Washington State Technical and Community College's accounting systems and procedures.
• Salary is based on Range 40 Step A, $3,477 per month with periodic increments to $4,517 per month. Salary placement is typically made at the starting salary for the range. Placement higher in the range may be considered for qualifications and experience. Salary and benefits are subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements.
• This position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• This is a union-represented position subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
• Retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

Conditions of Employment:

• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant's current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe, and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students. 
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.  
• This classification is included in the classified staff bargaining unit, represented by the Washington Public Employees Association, WPEA.

Application Procedure:

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications and;
• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
• The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
• A current resume; (Attachment: Resume)
• A cover letter addressing how your education and experience relate to the duties and responsibilities of the position (Attachment: Cover Letter).

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Application Deadline: Priority screening will begin after August 9, 2024. Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date may be considered until the position is filled.

Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted. 

Application Assistance: If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation, you may contact Human Resources at (360) 416-7794, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.  SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at (360) 416-7718 by the application closing date.  Information on SVC's Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at OPPM 3040.

For questions regarding the online application system, you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at (855) 524-5627 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. For best results, apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and later versions of Internet Explorer.

SVC Annual Security Report: The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies, procedures, and statistics on certain crimes, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.  We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report, which is updated annually each October.  All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling (360) 416-7794 or by accessing the Report at: https://www.skagit.edu/about/safety-security-parking/

Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices. 

Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, age, marital status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact Carolyn Tucker, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO, 360.416.7794 or carolyn.tucker@skagit.edu. For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 or sandy.jordan@skagit.edu. Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.