Accounting Technician

DEFINITION
To perform highly responsible clerical accounting work in the recording, evaluation, and control of City financial records, grants, accounts receivable/payable, loans, leases, utility billing, revenues, expenditures, purchasing, budgets and assists with payroll.  

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Employees in this classification receive minimal supervision within a broad framework of policies and procedures; this class requires interpretive ability and judgement in the application of basic accounting principles and procedures.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Receives supervision from the Assistant Finance Officer or Accountant II.
• May direct, coordinate, and monitor the work of others in a lead capacity.

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

• Records data and maintains statistical and financial records and logs
• Prepares reconciliation of cash transactions through use of journals; prepares monthly cash report and General Ledger; prepares journal entries to correct errors found while balancing cash
• Maintains control over fixed assets inventory; accumulates input documents for data processing reports; checks input forms for accuracy and supporting information; sorts and distributes reports
• Prepares check reconciliation and General Ledger report; combines weekly status reports; prepares summary of paid checks by type; verifies paid checks to check reconciliation; identifies discrepancies; balances checks to General Ledger; prepares correcting journal entries
• Maintains control over paid checks; journalizes cancelled checks; voids and journalizes stale-dated checks; clears NSF fund
• Maintains accounting records on investments; verifies accuracy of interest received and notifies supervisor of any discrepancies; inputs investment records and checks output reports for accuracy
• Prepares daily cash balance sheet on funds and assists in balancing daily receipts to control records
• May maintain departmental payroll and personnel records; assists Payroll Technician as back-up
• May provide technical supervision over subordinate staff
• Learns and effectively performs/applies the proper account recordkeeping procedures and rules used in assigned area(s) including electronic systems
• Hears adequately to converse on the telephone and in person
• Uses a computer keyboard
• Intermittently bends and twists to reach equipment on surrounding desk
• Intermittently reaches above and below shoulder level to reach books, files and reports on shelves and in filing cabinets
• Grasps files, documents and equipment with right and left hands 
• Climbs stairs; climbs ladders to reach files and related documents

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of

• general accounting clerical methods, forms and techniques
• office procedures and practices
• basic cost and fund accounting practices
• the legal requirements and the accounting system related to a particular assignment may be required for certain positions
• bookkeeping systems
• basic computerized recordkeeping systems may be required for certain positions
• electronic spreadsheets

Ability to

• perform complex and responsible clerical accounting work requiring the exercise of interpretive ability and judgment on a regular basis
• understand and interpret the principles, laws and procedures involved in bookkeeping and auditing functions
• adapt work procedures and recordkeeping system to meet changing needs
• understand the relationships among accounting records and documents for recording and reporting purposes
• reconcile differences within the recordkeeping system using mathematical skills and understanding of the recordkeeping system and related transactions
• effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms
• work safely and abide by established safety rules and regulations
• perform a variety of technical/clerical Finance Department assignments with speed and accuracy
• apply good judgement in recognizing scope of authority and in referring problems to others
• speak English 
• speak Spanish highly desirable               
• spell correctly and use correct business English
• write neatly and legibly
• direct and monitor the work of subordinate employees may be required for certain positions
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities is: 
Three years of responsible clerical accounting experience at the journey or higher level that demonstrates application or possession of the required knowledge and abilities.  Formal education in bookkeeping or accounting may be substituted for the required experience on an hour-for-hour basisThe candidate selected will be appointed for a 9-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list which normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by Service Employees International Union Local 521 (SEIU).

Prior to appointment to the position of Accounting Technician, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.

The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.

NOTE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVISED WITHOUT NOTICE.

Salary : $62,421 - $83,637