EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Seaside provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Seaside does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex technical and administrative account support duties in the preparation, maintenance, and processing of accounting records and transactions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable such as utility billing and transient occupancy tax, in addition to balancing and maintaining manual and computerized accounting and financial records; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct or general supervision from the Finance Director. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to less experienced staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey-level class in the Accounting Technician series. Incumbents perform a wide variety of record-keeping, reconciliation, and account support activities. Positions are distinguished by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently and exercising judgment and initiative.

When performing the accounts receivable assignment:

Creates and processes periodic invoice requests; creates and maintains new accounts.
Receives and balances cash receipts and general ledger debits; allocates revenue to proper cost accounts; posts revenue; prepares bank deposits and related reports.
Receives mail and direct payments from the public and from other City departments, balances monies received, and prepares receipts.
Processes City-wide returned checks and contacts customers as appropriate; prepares delinquent item reports, initiates and monitors delinquent processing for collection; prepares and processes year-end write-offs for un-collectable accounts.

When performing the utility billing assignment:

Processes, prints, and mails utility and other billings; receives, processes, and posts payments and issues receipts; handles and balances cash and credit card payments; sends out late and final notices, collection notices, and performs necessary collections and delinquency processing; reconciles reports; researches problems and makes adjustments; participates in implementing new utility rates.
Processes automatic customer account debits through electronic bank transfers; balances payments and posts transactions in the accounting system daily.
Sets up new accounts, edits current accounts, or closes out terminated accounts; calculates and processes billing adjustments.
Sends out late and final notices, collection notices, and performs necessary collections and delinquency processing.
Maintains accurate billing information through data entry, calculations, and verifications.

When performing the accounts payable assignment:

Audits, verifies, codes, and batches accounts payable transactions; matches purchase orders, packing slips, and invoices; researches discrepancies and unauthorized purchases; checks allocations against department budget appropriations; prepares payment requests; balances and maintains retention accounts; liquidates purchase orders; processes purchasing requisitions for the assigned department.
Sets up new vendor accounts; obtains necessary information and paperwork from vendors; prepares vendor invoice tracking; inputs vendor invoices and prints checks; totals and balances accounts.
Maintains credit card accounts; processes receipts and reconciles to credit card statements.
Reviews source documents for accuracy, receipt of necessary information, and compliance with rules, regulations, and procedures; determines proper handling for compliance.
Receives vendor inquiries via telephone, fax, or mail; resolves any issues, problems, or requests using established procedures.
Maintain and update IRS W-9 information of vendors for IRS 1099 year-end tax reporting and processing.

When performing all assignments:

Performs a variety of routine to complex administrative and technical account support duties related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, utility billing, and/or department-specific technical account duties, including posting, balancing, adjusting, and maintaining manual and computerized account and financial records according to established policies and procedures.
Verifies, posts and records a variety of financial transactions; prepares and maintains databases, records, and a variety of periodic and special financial, accounting and statistical reports; generates reports by computer and balances them appropriately.
Enters and retrieves information and data using standard word processing and spreadsheet software, as well as accounting, financial, and other related electronic information systems specific to the department to which assigned.
Maintains a variety of ledgers, registers, and journals according to established account policies and procedures; reconciles transactions and data as directed; records changes and resolves differences; maintains the accuracy of accounting and financial records.
Generates and assists in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial, summary and technical reports.
Assists customers, departments, and employees by providing answers and information regarding specific account information, discrepancies, general accounting procedures, and/or department specific issues and problems; researches issues regarding specific transactions; and updates related files and departments on action items; may dispatch maintenance crews to assist with emergencies.
Assists with the year-end closing process.
Assists supervisor(s) with special projects as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by college level coursework in financial/accounting record-keeping and two (2) years of responsible accounting support experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid California Drivers’ License

Knowledge of:

Terminology and practices of financial and account document processing and record-keeping, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, utility billing, and business licensing.
Business arithmetic and basic financial and statistical techniques.
Record-keeping principles and procedures.
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software.
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

Perform detailed account and financial office support work accurately and in a timely manner.
Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls and other requests for service.
Interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures.
Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS: All City of Seaside employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

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City of Seaside jobs

Accounting Technician