Under general supervision, perform the most difficult and complex financial, statistical and accounting recordkeeping work; prepare and assist in the preparation of financial statements, documents, analyses and reports; maintain accounting records, reports and systems or computer base accounting systems; perform related duties as required.
The Accounting Technician class is distinguished from the Account Clerk III in that it requires sustained use of a high degree of independent judgment and interpretive ability. The incumbents in this classification are characterized by its responsibility to maintain a variety of complex departmental fiscal records, data processing-based accounting systems or broad accounting functions, and acts in a lead capacity.
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
When working within the general County departments, the incumbent may be responsible for the following duties:
- Compiles data and interprets such data for budget preparation purposes in a large department;
- Supervises and participates in the maintenance of records in accounting systems for fund appropriations and expenditures, accounts payable and accounts receivable, purchasing and similar financial and statistical activities.
- Assists in developing forms and methods of financial record keeping, or accounting systems.
- Initiates fund transfers, interdepartmental billing and other administrative adjustments in budget appropriations.
- May prepare technically difficult statistical and/or accounting reports from a variety of sources.
- May prepare grant expenditure claims and reports.
- Reviews time cards of the employees and tracks vacation, holiday, and time off earned and taken.
When working within the Auditor/Controller Department, the incumbent may be responsible for the following duties:
- Assists in reviewing and auditing computer based accounting input documentation for accuracy, adequacy and conformity to instructions or prescribed work methods.
- Balances accounts and researches errors by checking previous entries, records and supporting documents.
- Notifies departments of errors and corrections made or to be made.
- Reviews various account balances before releasing payment where high rate of expenditures or periodic reallocation of fund exists.
- Contacts departments or divisions because of insufficient appropriations and holding warrants until budget transfers are made.
- Assists in maintaining general ledger, appropriation and revenues ledgers, encumbering funds by department and budget classification.
- Posts expenditures and appropriations charges; liquidates encumbrances; assists in verifying accuracy of multiple data entries that go into the overall computerized accounting systems.
- Interprets and applies detailed and extensive instructions.
- Functions in a specialized area such as in warrant control and processing or encumbrance/purchase order control, and solving problems related to input and output of data.
- Contacts other staff, public, and vendors regarding difficult and complex transactions and problems in the accounting or bookkeeping system.
- Explains laws and regulations and procedures, and answers inquiries from departments using independent judgment.
Acts in a lead capacity and is responsible for performing the more difficult work which may include:
- Prepares and submits periodic payroll reports.
- Audits and verifies the employee appointment and status change action.
- Computes and processes payroll deductions, and voluntary payroll deduction.
- Processes vacation accrual, sick leave and other types of time off; reviews and assists in the preparation of complex and large periodic IRS, unemployment, and similar reports required in the payroll function.
- Reviews work of lower level Account Clerks and related account payable and claims processing; trains new employees.
Knowledge of:
- Basic budget preparation procedures.
- Methods, practices and technology used in the development, maintenance and control of fiscal and accounting work.
- Basic governmental accounting principles and procedures.
- Purposes and methods of financial record keeping.
- Data processing procedures as integrated with accounting systems.
- Employee training.
Ability to:
- Prepare clear and accurate financial statements and reports and analyze accounting and budgetary data.
- Perform a wide variety of difficult sub-professional accounting clerical work without continuous supervision.
- Perform a variety of arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately.
- Interpret and apply laws, regulations and policies.
- Maintain complex records and analyze data.
- Coordinate, train and direct the work of others.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Resolve work problems related to the maintenance of county financial, accounting and personnel records.
- Read and write at a level required for successful job performance.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
- Communicate effectively with others in person, in writing and over the telephone.
- Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
- Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
- Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
- Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
- Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
- Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
- Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
- Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
- Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
- Regular attendance is an essential function.
Experience: Three (3) years of responsible technical experience in financial, accounting, or statistical record keeping activities. Formal education in basic accounting, bookkeeping may substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION – WEIGHTED 100%
The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate’s knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.
MSS is accepting applications on a continuous basis. Qualifying candidates will be notified via email with instructions for completing the examination within 30 days of the date of application.
ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Merced. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.
RETEST PERIOD
Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.
SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTS
If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.
If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.
General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT
Some positions in this classification may require possession of a California driver's license. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver's license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County. Eligibility for employment for those who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on case-by-case basis by the appointing authority.
ABOUT MERCED COUNTY
Merced County is located in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley in central California, an area earning worldwide acclaim for its rich agriculture, and spans from the coastal ranges to the foothills of Yosemite National Park. The City of Merced, the self-proclaimed Gateway to Yosemite, has a population of approximately 81,102, yet retains the charm of a small town with amenities routinely found in larger communities. Merced's revitalized downtown is emerging as the entertainment center of the area. The County is representative of the rural heartland and Gold Rush remnants underpinning the state's heritage. It is a peaceful, quiet, and friendly area with an abundance of beautiful bike paths and offers choices of higher education in UC Merced and Merced College.
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