ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under direction, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and technical accounting and financial record keeping duties in support of the Finance Department. Responsibilities include processing accounts payable and receivable transactions, maintaining financial records, reconciling accounts, assisting in preparation of financial reports, and providing customer services to internal departments and the public. The Accounting Technician provides technical support to professional accounting staff and assists in ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with City policies and applicable regulations. This is a broad classification with individual positions assigned to specific functional areas; duties and assignments may overlap depending on the operational needs of the department and staffing levels.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey level class in the Account Clerk series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including responsibility for leading and performing the full range of accounting and analyzing financial records, coordinate with other departments to ensure proper documentation and processing of financial transactions, Receive, record, and reconcile accounts receivable and other City revenues, prepare and post journal entries and maintain supporting documentation, maintain financial records and enter and maintain accounting data in the City’s financial management system.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. 1. May provide technical guidance or training to clerical staff. This classification does not typically exercise formal supervisory authority. 2. Oversee and participate in preparing, maintaining, and/or verifying a variety of accounting, financial, and statistical records, ledgers, logs, and files; gather, assemble, tabulate, enter, check, verify, balance, adjust, record, and file financial data; codes data according to prescribed accounting procedures; reviews information to ensure accurate reporting; resolve discrepancies; establish and maintain various files and records. 3. Oversee and participate in performing data entry; post receipts and other information to various city accounts and funds. 4. Prepare financial, accounting, and statistical statements, analyses, documents, and reports; assist other accounting staff and departmental management in the preparation of reports; gather and organize data. 5. Process accounts payable transactions including reviewing invoices, verifying account coding, and preparing payments. 6. Receive, record, and reconcile accounts receivable and other City revenues. 7. Compile financial and statistical data for departmental reports, audits, and budget preparation. 8. Research discrepancies in financial records and resolve issues through review of source documents and coordination with departments. 9. Prepare worksheets, schedules, and summaries to support financial statements and audit requirements. 10. Respond to inquiries from City departments, vendors, and the public regarding financial transactions and account status. 11. Provide information regarding City financial procedures, payment processes, and applicable policies. 12. Coordinate with other departments to ensure proper documentation and processing of financial transactions. 13. Enter and maintain accounting data in the City’s financial management system. 14. Maintain organized electronic and physical records of financial transactions and supporting documentation. 15. Assist in the implementation and improvement of accounting procedures and internal controls. 16. Perform a full range of customer service duties related to area of assignment; respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information to the public and City staff requiring the use of judgment and the interpretation of policies, rules, and procedures; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner. 17. Perform a variety of general office support functions including typing, record keeping, proofreading, and forms and report generation. 18. Assist in department operations evaluations and make recommendations on improved office procedures. 19. Perform special projects, studies and collect and compile statistical and financial data for special reports, as directed. 20. Perform related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Knowledge of: • Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting. • Advanced methods and techniques of coding, verifying, balancing, and reconciling accounting records. • Mathematical principles. • Basic principles and practices of accounting and bookkeeping. • Governmental accounting practices and financial recordkeeping. • Customer service techniques, practices, and principles. • Methods and techniques of proper phone etiquette. • Methods and techniques for basic report preparation and writing. • English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. • Business letter writing and basic report preparation. • Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers. • Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications as well as financial and statistical software. • Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Ability to: • Independently perform advanced journey level accounting clerical work in assigned area. • Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures. • Perform a variety of accounting, fiscal, and statistical record keeping duties including to prepare, maintain, and reconcile a variety of records and files. • Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately including to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals. • Perform detailed accounting and financial record-keeping work with accuracy. • Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. • Understand and apply pertinent laws, codes, and regulations as well as organization and unit rules, policies, and procedures with good judgment. • Implement and maintain filing systems. • Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person. • Compile a variety of information and records and exercise good judgment in maintaining information, records, and reports. • Participate in the preparation of a variety of administrative and financial reports. • Read, understand, and review documents for accuracy and relevant information. • Deal successfully with the public, in person and over the telephone; respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and courteously to issues, concerns, and needs. • Operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages. • Use applicable office terminology, forms, documents, and procedures in the course of the work. • Type and enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance. • Understand and follow oral and written instructions. • Maintain composure and exercise good judgment when answering demanding questions. • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Additional college level course work in accounting, finance, or related field is preferred.
Experience:
Two years of responsible accounting experience comparable to that of a Senior Account Clerk with the City of Ceres.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with extensive public contact and constant interruptions.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Bargaining Group: Miscellaneous FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
