PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT CLERK

Notice to Applicants: To be considered for this position, applicants must also register for the Principal Account Clerk Exam by submitting a separate exam application, available here. Exam applications must be received no later than close of business on November 18, 2026.

Lewis County is recruiting simultaneously for the titles of Principal Account Clerk & Senior Account Clerk. These postings represent alternative appointment options for the same vacancy, not two separate positions. The final appointment title and level will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, the duties to be assigned, and the County’s organizational needs. Any appointment is subject to the minimum qualifications and applicable Civil Service requirements for the title.

This is highly important account keeping work involving responsibility for planning and overseeing complex account keeping activities and independently performing the most important phases of such work. Supervision may be exercised over the work of lower-level account keeping or clerical workers. Exercises duties in accordance with policies and procedures established by the County Treasurer.

• Plans, assigns, and reviews the maintaining and checking of a wide variety of financial records and reports and instructs employees in the specialized details of this work;
• Oversees and assists in the classification of a complex variety of receipts and expenditures and the distribution of costs according to prescribed codes;
• Directs the audit of varied accounts, claims and records and the preparation of reports thereon;
• Has charge of the compilation, preparation and analysis of a variety of complex financial and statistical records and reports;
• Assists in the preparation of annual operating budgets and insures the maintenance of necessary financial controls;
• Is responsible for receiving and accounting for large amounts of money in payment for a variety of bills, taxes and related obligations;
• Revises, systematizes and installs account keeping methods and procedures;
• Reconciles ledgers of revenue received with bank statement;
• May supervise the preparation of purchase orders and the securing of bids from vendors;
• Conducts correspondence in connection with financial matters.

Either:
Promotion:
(A) Two years of permanent full-time competitive status as a Sr. Account Clerk.

 Open-Competitive:
A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an associate’s degree or higher in accounting, business management, or business administration and three years of experience in maintaining financial accounts and records; or
B. Graduation from high school and five years of experience in maintaining financial accounts and records; or
C. An equivalent combination of experience and training as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) above.Thorough knowledge of modern methods used in keeping and checking financial records and reports; thorough knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment; thorough knowledge of business English; ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of account keeping and clerical assistants; ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written directions; ability to make arithmetic computations rapidly and accurately; ability to prepare correspondence and reports; ability to secure the cooperation of others; ability to deal effectively with the public; ability to readily acquire familiarity with departmental organization, functions, laws, policies and regulations; good judgment in solving complex account keeping problems; a high degree of accuracy, initiative and resourcefulness; tact and courtesy; integrity; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.