Accounting Technician

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical accounting duties involved in the preparation, review, and maintenance of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, permit processing, and/or cashiering; and preparation of schedules, reconciliations, and journal entries and other duties as assigned. 

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintain accounting records, databases, or systems such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash receipts, housing stock and other functional assignments.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of department goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for accounting related functions; implement policies and procedures.
• Post and maintain various ledgers, registers and journals according to established account classifications.
• Audit invoices, verify encumbrances, research discrepancies; approve payments and post to the proper account.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Calculate and process payroll for staff and elected officials; determine tax deposits, benefit and other deductions and related adjustments, track accruals, and process direct deposits.
• Prepare and process vendor and other checks and statements.
• Process payroll garnishments, levies, and court orders as required by law; provide W-2 and related required payroll documents and notices to employees; electronically transmit financial data; and process other miscellaneous deductions.
• Receive applications and forms from the public for permits and licenses and other applications; approve, process, and record payments; handle and reconcile cash; issue receipts; and maintain logs, ledgers or inventories as assigned.
• Perform general accounts receivable functions, receive payments and reconcile with statements or invoices for accuracy and additional charges relating to amounts due, process related paperwork, post and update account information.
• Plan and coordinate the annual housing stock billing cycle, prepare bills and notices, respond to inquiries, process checks and track payments.
• Perform general accounts payable functions, create vendor accounts, process and code invoices for payment, review for completeness and accuracy; input information; prepare and mail various checks; prepare and track annual reporting forms  post or reconcile expenditures.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts with various registers.
• Provide technical information and instruction regarding applicable procedures and methods; interpret and explain rules and regulations, answer questions and resolve problems or complaints, maintain knowledge of applicable laws, procedures and new developments.
• Prepare, compile, tabulate and maintain data, complex documents and assist with highly technical financial, statistical and operational reports, statements and records; enter data, calculate, reconcile and create or update records.
• Prepare monthly task reconciliations and associated journal entries.
• Prepare summary sheets for use of supervisor or auditors in preparing financial statements, assist with preparation of trial balances and budget documents and perform research.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to less experience accounting and general clerical staff as needed.
• Provide information on complex or sensitive issues which require interpretation of Department and city policies and regulations; provide customer and public assistance.
• Receive complaints and exercise judgment in determining proper course of action.
• Prepare, process, review and check documents, records and forms for accuracy, completeness and conformance to applicable policies, rules and regulations.  Perform follow-up procedures when compliance is not being achieved.
• Prepare and maintain procedure manuals for the functional area of assignment.
• Ensure that work is handled on a priority basis, organized, and completed in a timely manner.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

•  Generally accepted accounting principles; mathematics related to accounting processes; internal controls appropriate to accounting procedures.
•  Municipal accounting systems, procedures and requirements.
• Principles and practices of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances, City functions, policies, rules and regulations affecting assigned function.  
• Methods and techniques of cash handling.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment including computer-based accounting systems.
• English usage, grammar, punctuation and business letter writing.
• Techniques and methods of report writing.
• Principles and practices of working safely.
• Public relations/customer contact skills.

 Ability to:

• Organize, plan, schedule and implement administrative and accounting clerical operations and related special projects.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; research, identify and interpret technical and numerical information, observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• Interpret, input, retrieve and transmit statistics and other complex communications to and from the public or computer; analyze data and draw sound conclusions.
• Process accounts payable and accounts receivable, prepare checks, process invoices, create and maintain accounts, manage and reconcile cash, maintain inventories, logs, and ledgers.
• Perform job tasks with minimal supervision.
• Accurately and quickly input detailed data, perform mathematics computations, use specialized software, word processing, spreadsheets, database and 10 key adding machines; fully operate a computer terminal for data entry, inquiry and report generation.
• Prepare and use computerized spreadsheets for analytical purposes.
• Perform mathematical calculations, postings and comparisons rapidly and accurately.
• Interpret and apply administrative and departmental policies, law and rules; analyze situations carefully and adopt an appropriate, effective course of action; understand and communicate to ensure adherence to the administrative and departmental principles, rules, regulations and procedures involved in the area of assignment.
•  Maintain composure and exercise good judgment when answering demanding questions.
• Identify and troubleshoot problems with minimum supervision.
• Provide high quality, economical services to the Citrus Heights community, placing emphasis on responsive customer service.
• Demonstrate a civic entrepreneurial spirit by generating new, innovative ideas and development of better methods to accomplish tasks and complete projects.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation and communication.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
•  Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Use principles of effective office safety including use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintenance of safe housekeeping in personal and common work spaces.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate a personal computer with proficiency and familiarity.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two years of increasingly responsible technical level experience in accounting or finance. Associates or Bachelor’s degree maybe substituted for work experience.

Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.  College course work in accounting or related field is desirable.

License or Certificate:

May need to possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance as required by the position.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

On a continuous basis, sit at desk and/or stand for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach office equipment; and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone; run errands; lift or carry weight of 20 pounds of less.