A revenue clerk performs clerical duties related to financial transactions at utilities, transit agencies, and other service providers. This includes issuing bills, collecting payments, recording account information, and handling overdue accounts. Preparation of financial statements can also be part of the job for a revenue clerk. Some offices provide administrative support because of the high volume of payments handled, while in other cases people work on their own and report to a finance director or similar official.
Information on services provided must be submitted to the revenue clerk, who prepares statements for customers. Automated software may facilitate this process by printing statements on request and performing necessary calculations for taxes, fees, and other expenses. These bills can be sent out with payment envelopes and information about other payment options. Some revenue clerks work with online payment systems, which allow customers to submit payments electronically and may interface with the computer system to automatically record data and create reports for the clerk's use.
As payments arrive, the revenue clerk matches them with accounts and records them. In the event there is still a balance due, another bill may be issued, or notes may be made about a payment plan if one has been established. Accurate recordkeeping is important to avoid doublebilling or sending customers to collections when they are in good standing. Changes to accounts, like updating addresses or service details, can also be made by a revenue clerk to make sure clients are billed accurately and appropriately.
Periodic financial reports can provide information about payments collected and outstanding. The revenue clerk sends these to other members of the office so they know how much money the company or agency is bringing in. This can also provide information about the volume of services being used, which assists with planning. For example, a water utility might have to plan to truck water in to meet needs in the dry season.
Software can also generate lists of overdue accounts. The revenue clerk may send out demands for payment and make follow-up calls to customers if they don't respond. In some cases, failing to pay may result in being sent to a third party collections agency after a set period of time. This involves packaging up accounts with all available information so collections representatives can work with the customer to collect the money, set up an installment plan, or take legal action to recover unpaid funds.