Senior Accounting Specialist

Salary : $75,162.52 - $103,612.36 Annually

Location : Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Job Type : Full-Time Represented

Job Number : 2024-50

Department : Finance

Division : Accounting AP Team

Opening Date : 12 / 13 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

Job Description

Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD), one of California's leading water and wastewater agencies, is seeking an experienced accounting professional for its Senior Accounting Specialist position.

Reporting to the Accounting Supervisor, the Senior Accounting Specialist role manages the accounts payable function in the District's Finance Department. The role includes engagement with senior management in all departments of the District, the District's vendors, as well working closely the with the purchasing and contract administration functions.

At Santa Margarita Water District, we are dedicated to delivering reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services to our community. By joining our team, you'll play a crucial role in safeguarding our financial health and supporting innovative projects that make a lasting impact on the environment and the people we serve.

Definition

Under general supervision, provides a variety of routine to difficult financial and accounting office support for assigned accounting functions; performs related work as assigned.

Class Characteristics

Accounting Specialist is the working class level of this accounting clerical series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn office and District procedures. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action within established guidelines and incumbents are expected to be fully competent to perform a variety of financial and accounting office support duties. All positions are characterized by the presence of fairly clear guidelines from which to make decisions and the availability of supervision in non-routine circumstances This class is alternately staffed with Senior Accounting Specialists and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher level class.

Senior Accounting Specialist is the lead level class of this series. This class is distinguished from Accounting Specialist which performs the more difficult accounting and payroll functions, and assists in training less experienced staff.

Essential Functions

The following is a non-exclusive list of essential functions. These functions may not be present in all positions in multiple position classes. When a position is to be filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability.

• Performs responsible accounting or financial office support work in such areas as accounts receivable and payable, payroll and customer billing; reviews invoices and related documentation; extends figures and verifies authorizations; prepares accounts payable for payment; prepares customer bills; receives customer payments and other District monies and issues receipts; and processess payments received by mail.

Reviews and reconciles varied reports, computer output and related data; maintains varied subsidiary ledgers, auditing and reconciling reports and information and posting data as required; may generate general ledger entries.

Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources for the completion of forms or the preparation of reports.

Provides information to the public or to District staff that requires the use of judgment and the interpretation of policies, rules or procedures.

Balances cash receipts and prepares bank deposits.

Performs a variety of general office support work such as organizing and maintaining various files, typing correspondence, reports, forms, and specialized documents, and proofreading and checking materials for accuracy, completeness and compliance with District policies and regulations.

May supervise and review the work of clerical personnel in making entries, reconciliations and other recordkeeping; trains employees.

Requisite Abilities / Qualifications & Guidelines

Write reports and keep accurate records.

Analyze data and draw logical conclusions.

Accurately count, record and balance cash transactions and other monies received.

Deal tactfully and courteously with the public, often in difficult or strained circumstances and establish and maintain effective relationships with the community at large.

Explain and apply policies and procedures.

Understand and follow verbal and written directions.

Enter data for computer processing with speed and accuracy and typing correspondence and forms.

Work independently and safely.

Perform mathematical computations.

Operate a computer and use a variety of computer software and typewriter, cash register, calculator and other common office machines.

Perform clerical accounting work skillfully and accurately.

Resolve customer service problems effectively and tactfully.

Meet the physical requirements established by the District.

Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.

Additional Information

Education and / or Experience

Any combination of education and / or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for acceptable job performance. Example combinations include equivalent to graduation from high school and

Accounting Specialist : two years of bookkeeping, payroll, accounting or financial clerical or office assistant experience.

Senior Accounting Specialist : two years of experience in the Accounting Specialist class demonstrating apppropriate leadership qualities.

Knowledge and Skill Levels

Accounting Specialist : Working knowledge of financial record keeping, bookkeeping and basic governmental accounting principles and practices; basic auditing principles and practices; office management practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment; business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals; correct business English usage and the standard format for typed materials; policies and procedures related to the division to which assigned; basic business data processing principles and the use of word processing equipment; techniques of dealing with the public, in person and on the telephone.

Senior Accounting Specialist : Considerable knowledge of financial record keeping, bookkeeping and basic governmental accounting principles and practices; basic auditing principles and practices; office management practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment; business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals; correct business English usage and the standard format for typed materials; policies and procedures related to the division to which assigned; basic business data processing principles and the use of word processing equipment; techniques of dealing with the public, in person and on the telephone.

Physical Requirements

Employees must meet the following requirements which are necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this class : communicate in person, in writing, and / or by telephone with management, co-workers, and the public in face-to-face, one-to-one, and group settings; use office equipment such as computer terminals; sit for extended periods of time; have hearing and vision within normal ranges; carry, push, reach and lift up to 30 pounds; occasionally stoop, kneel or crouch; sufficient manual dexterity to operate equipment.

Special Requirements

Possession of or ability to obtain a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record, may be required for some assignments.

Santa Margarita Water District offers a comprehensive benefit package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following : retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; and a variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM : As a public agency, the Santa Margarita Water District has enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) for retirement benefits. The retirement formula and required employee contribution may vary based on employment status.

HEALTH INSURANCE : The District contracts with the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from PPO or HMO plans. Medical premiums for plans in an amount up to or equal to the highest HMO are paid for by the District for all full-time employees. The District shares the cost of medical insurance for dependents with the employee. Coverage is effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment with full-time status.

DENTAL INSURANCE : The District provides dental insurance for all full-time regular employees. Optional dependent dental coverage is available at the District's rates. Coverage is effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment with full-time status.

VISION INSURANCE : The District provides each full-time employee and their eligible dependents with vision insurance through Vision Service Plan (VSP). Coverage is effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment with full-time status.

LIFE INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT : The District provides term-life insurance for all full-time employees through Lincoln Financial with Employee benefits equaling 2 1 / 2 times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $200,000. Adjustments are made based on the employee's salary. Coverage is effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment with full-time status.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) : The District provides all employees and their dependents with an EAP that provides confidential, professional assistance with a variety of services such as legal / financial concerns, ID recovery, mental health, and more.

GENERAL LEAVE ACCRUAL : General leave is a multi-purpose leave providing for vacations, personal affairs, and non-job related illness / injuries.

Sixth through ten-year anniversary date of continuous employment : 16 hours per calendar month (192 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 350 hours.

Eleventh through fifteen-year anniversary date of continuous employment : 19.33 hours per calendar month (232 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 350 hours.

Sixteenth year and beyond of continuous employment : 22.67 hours per calendar month (272 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 380 hours.

While accrual begins from the date of hire, for the most part, general leave may not be taken until completion of the employee's six-month probationary period.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION : Regular full and part-time employees are eligible to participate in the District's deferred compensation program. The District shall match an employee's contribution into the deferred compensation plan up to a maximum of $2,400 per employee per year, or $100 per pay-period. The contributions occur each pay period except the third pay period in those months with three pay dates.

HOLIDAYS : The District provides 11½ holidays (92 hours) per year for full-time employees.

FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNT : Through the District's Flexible Spending Account (FSA), employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible "out-of-pocket" (unreimbursed) medical expenses, child or dependent care.

LIFESTYLE SPENDING ACCOUNT : A benefit in which your employer sets money aside for you to use on eligible expenses related to physical, financial and emotional

well-being.

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT : All full-time employees are eligible for reimbursement for educational training or certification training taken from any college, university, or accredited institution, up to the IRS annual limit with Department Head approval.

The aforementioned information is only a summary of the District's benefits. Detailed information may be found in the Personnel Rules and Regulations and / or the Memorandum of Understanding between the SMWDEA and the Santa Margarita Water District.

Do you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent?

Describe your motivation for applying for this position.

Describe your experience working in accounts payable or similar accounting functions.

Describe the workflow enhancements or efficiencies you have implemented or recommended in your current role.

Required Question

Salary : $75,163 - $103,612