Accounting Technician

Applicants: If you are using education to qualify, please remember to include copies of your transcripts, degree(s), and/or certifications. Foreign degrees must have a U.S. Equivalency Report. Failure to submit, may result in your application being disqualified.

Under limited supervision, the Accounting Technician performs the more difficult and technical sub-professional accounting work required in the maintenance of fiscal and statistical records; prepares and assists in the preparation of financial statements, documents, analysis, and reports; maintains accounting records, reports, and manual or computer-based accounting systems; and performs related work as required.

The Accounting Technician is a single level specialized class with responsibility for maintaining a variety of complex departmental fiscal records, computer-based accounting systems, or broad accounting functions. The Accounting Technician differs from the Account Clerk III in that the former requires sustained use of a high degree of independent judgment and interpretive ability. The Accounting Technician differs from the higher class of Accountant I in that the latter is the entry level into the professional accountant series, performing professional accounting work.

• Maintains journals and general ledgers of financial transactions and prepares analytical reports on revenues and expenditures. Independently performs complex and technical audits based on analysis and interpretation of financial information.
• Prepares calculations for billing for services provided by the county.
• Appropriately distributes funds in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Maintains ancillary, general, statistical, and cost records. Examines and reviews account records, adjusting balances and reconciling accounts.
• Prepares and processes materials that require the analysis of source material and a thorough familiarity with policies, procedures, terminology, and various applicable laws in order to obtain the necessary data.
• Compiles a variety of narrative and statistical reports, locates sources of information, devises forms to secure data, and determines proper format for finished reports.
• Answers questions that involve searching for and abstracting technical data and detailed explanations of laws, policies, or procedures, referring only matters requiring policy decisions to the supervisor.
• May operate automated systems and trouble-shoot problems related to the production of fiscal and statistical reports and related documents.
• May be responsible for a billing and statistical record keeping operation.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Basic budget preparation procedures.
• Grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and composition.
• Methods, practices, and automated systems 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.
• Computer terminology and computer keyboard arrangement.

• Demonstrate mathematical aptitude.
• Enter data accurately into automated system.
• Prepare financial reports and maintain ledgers and journals.
• Independently perform varied and responsible technical accounting assignments.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Follow written and oral directions and instructions.
• Analyze data and draw logical conclusions.
• Common spreadsheet and database software packages.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality.

Applicants: If you are using education to qualify, please remember to include copies of your transcripts, degree(s), and/or certifications. Foreign degrees must have a U.S. Equivalency Report. Failure to submit, may result in your application being disqualified.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

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. Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after submission of your application.  

ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Imperial. 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and employees may also be required to drive their own car, provide proof of car insurance. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  
• This position may require pre-employment drug testing, a physical examination, and fingerprinting for a background investigation.  
• Government agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. 
• Employees in this position will be required to drive in and out of the county to conduct business. 
• Employees may be required to work with clients of various age groups and clients with mental health issues, physical health issues, substance abuse issues, victims of abuse and/or domestic violence, at risk of abuse, and financial instability.
• Employees may encounter hostile and emotionally troubled clients, including children and parents under the influence of controlled substances and alcohol.
• Employees will be required to represent the County in administrative appeals and fair hearings.
• The ability to speak, read, and write Spanish in addition to English would be an asset in this position but is not required. Applicants for English/Spanish bilingual designated positions must take and pass the bilingual proficiency examination administered by the California Department of Human Resources, Merit System Services.  
• Employees in this position must be able to provide- support and directions to staff after hours.

• Please note: Effective February 11, 2020, Extra-Help employees are eligible to apply for this position. Please refer to the Extra-Help Pilot Program available  online through the Human Resources website https://hr.imperialcounty.org/ for eligibility criteria. Extra-Help employees certified by Human Resources will be eligible to apply for inter/intra departmental recruitments. To become certified, the extra-help employee must meet one of the following criteria: (1) have worked for the County for one (1) consecutive year at the time the recruitment is officially opened; or (2) have been hired for formal recruitment.

• All Imperial County employees are considered Disaster Service Workers and might be required to take the associated FEMA training.

Salary : $3,258 - $3,967