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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Income Technician

💰 $38,000 - $65,000

FinanceAccountingGovernmentSocial ServicesReal EstateAdministration

🎯 Role Definition

An Income Technician is a detail-oriented professional responsible for the critical financial process of determining, verifying, and documenting income for program eligibility, rent calculation, or financial compliance. This role serves as a cornerstone of financial integrity within an organization, whether in public housing, social services, or corporate finance. The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical skills with excellent interpersonal abilities to manage sensitive financial data, ensure adherence to complex regulations (such as HUD, LIHTC, or internal policies), and provide clear, supportive communication to clients and stakeholders. You will be the primary point of contact for financial assessments, requiring a high degree of accuracy, discretion, and problem-solving to maintain both compliance and positive client relationships.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Accounts Receivable/Payable Clerk
  • Administrative Assistant or Coordinator
  • Data Entry Specialist
  • Customer Service Representative (in a financial or regulatory environment)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Income Technician / Lead Technician
  • Compliance Specialist or Manager
  • Housing Program Manager
  • Financial Analyst

Lateral Moves:

  • Eligibility Specialist
  • Property Manager
  • Accounts Receivable Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive interviews with applicants and participants to gather detailed financial information, including income, assets, and household composition.
  • Meticulously calculate and verify all sources of income and assets in strict accordance with federal (HUD, IRS), state, and local regulations to determine program eligibility and rent/subsidy amounts.
  • Process annual and interim re-certifications of income and eligibility, ensuring all deadlines are met and documentation is complete and accurate.
  • Maintain and manage a caseload of client files, ensuring all records are up-to-date, organized, and compliant with audit standards.
  • Utilize the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system and other third-party verification tools to confirm reported income and identify potential discrepancies.
  • Prepare and issue timely, clear notifications to clients regarding eligibility status, changes in rent or subsidy amounts, and required actions.
  • Investigate and resolve complex income discrepancies by liaising with clients, employers, financial institutions, and government agencies.
  • Perform precise data entry of all financial information, calculations, and client interactions into specialized database systems (e.g., Yardi, Elite, MRI).
  • Manage accounts receivable functions related to rent or program payments, including processing payments, applying charges, and reconciling accounts.
  • Address and resolve client inquiries and disputes concerning rent calculations, payment plans, and eligibility with professionalism and empathy.
  • Ensure the absolute confidentiality and security of all sensitive client financial and personal information.
  • Prepare and maintain detailed documentation for internal and external audits, ensuring a clear and compliant record trail.
  • Calculate and process retroactive rent adjustments and repayments resulting from unreported income or changes in circumstances.
  • Stay rigorously current with all changes in housing authority policies, HUD regulations, and other relevant compliance requirements through ongoing training and professional development.
  • Provide exceptional customer service to a diverse population, explaining complex financial and regulatory information in an understandable manner.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist senior staff and management with complex case reviews, fraud investigations, and special projects.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of process improvements to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the income verification process.
  • Generate and analyze regular and ad-hoc reports on caseload status, rent delinquency, EIV discrepancies, and other key performance indicators for management.
  • Collaborate effectively with property management, case management, and other internal departments to ensure holistic and seamless client service.
  • Contribute to the training and mentoring of new team members on departmental procedures, software, and regulatory guidelines.
  • Support the finance department with month-end and year-end closing activities related to revenue and receivables.
  • Assist in updating and maintaining procedural manuals and documentation to reflect current regulations and best practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Financial Calculation: Strong mathematical aptitude for accurately calculating income, assets, rent portions, and subsidies.
  • Housing Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with industry-specific software such as Yardi, MRI, BostonPost, or Elite.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of HUD, LIHTC, Section 8, and Fair Housing regulations and compliance standards.
  • MS Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and tracking, as well as Word and Outlook for communication and documentation.
  • Data Entry & Management: High level of speed and accuracy in data entry and experience managing electronic and physical records.
  • Accounting Principles: Solid foundation in basic accounting and bookkeeping principles, particularly concerning accounts receivable.
  • EIV System: Proficiency in using the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system for income validation.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in reviewing documents, performing calculations, and maintaining records to prevent errors.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex financial situations, identify discrepancies, and determine effective and compliant solutions.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to clearly explain complex information and interact professionally with diverse individuals.
  • Interpersonal & Customer Service: Strong ability to build rapport and provide empathetic, patient, and effective service to clients, often during stressful situations.
  • Time Management & Organization: Proven ability to manage a high-volume caseload, prioritize competing tasks, and meet strict deadlines.
  • Discretion & Confidentiality: Unquestionable integrity and the ability to handle sensitive personal and financial information with the utmost confidentiality.
  • Adaptability: Ability to adapt to frequent changes in regulations, procedures, and software systems in a dynamic work environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent, supplemented by relevant work experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Business Administration
  • Public Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of progressively responsible experience in a role involving income calculation, eligibility determination, or financial record-keeping.

Preferred: Direct experience working for a public housing authority, property management company (with affordable housing), or social services agency is highly desirable. Certification in a relevant area (e.g., Certified Occupancy Specialist) is a significant plus.

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