Payment Control Technician (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)

This position works 37.5 hours per week. 

The position allocated to this class performs professional, comprehensive, and technical payment production functions and activities within the centralized Spokane County Auditor’s Financial Services Division.  Work is performed independently and requires decisions be made within the framework of existing policies and procedures which conform to BARS and applicable laws or County practices.  This class is distinguished from the accounting technician series by its emphasis on specialized entity wide payment production functions and activities. Incumbents are required to enforce payment rules, regulations and policies, providing a key element of internal control over the payment process.  Critical outcomes are an inherent part of the work being performed. Employees function under the supervision of the Payroll/Accounts Payable Supervisor who is consulted when unusual problems are encountered.  Work is reviewed through periodic conferences and through accuracy of the payments made as supported by source documents, reports, and accounts.

WHO MAY APPLY: This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the Master Contract submitting applications between 3/28/25 and 4/3/25. First consideration will be given to applicants working in the Auditor's office in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA); second consideration given to County-wide applicants in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; third consideration given to applicants covered by the Master Contract CBA; fourth consideration will be given to all other applicants.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: $57,412 - $80,350 annually. Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Participates in the preparation and distribution of payments and related charges to accounts for Spokane County's departments, divisions and agencies.  
• Initiates, audits and approves departmental and agency payroll worksheets and or accounts payable vouchers to ensure compliance with internal controls, local, state and federal laws, rules or regulations, using computerized payment processing systems.
• Administers PeopleSoft HRMS to update payroll, benefits, contracts, stipends, deductions, enrollments and changes.
• Administers PeopleSoft accounts payable financial purchase enrollment/changes and e-pay voucher and travel disbursements.
• Works with personnel in County Departments to train, answer technical and procedural questions, assists with resolving problems and correcting errors.
• Evaluates and updates disbursement payments and related charges for compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations, as well as County policies and union contracts. 
• Processes and pays garnishments and income withholding, including Writs; child support, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, IRS Lock-in letters, etc.
• Audits and approves purchase card, travel card and foreign card transactions.
• Troubleshoots issues to identify root cause as end-user or system error; and coordinates with appropriate personnel or technical support for issue resolution.
• Instructs departmental personnel in the correction of errors and instances of noncompliance. 
• Prepares and balances payment system reports to disbursements; assists in the reconciliation of the payment fund; and identifies problems and makes corrections.
• Reconciles and prepares monthly reports and records to facilitate reporting to outside entities like Internal Revenue Service, State Retirement Systems, State Department of revenue, etc. 
• Reconciles payroll advice and cash disbursements, prepare cash disbursements, and transmit payroll EFT.
• Prepares warrant transmittals and warrants for remittance.
• Assists in the collection, recording and processing of change data affecting the payment process. 
• Analyzes and resolves related questions and problems, special projects and data information compilation.
• Prepares and answers verification of employment for multiple different agencies and companies and on various platforms.
• Assist departments, employees, and outside agencies with document request, W-4, W-2, 1099’s, pay sheets and various other documents.
• Assists the Auditor and System Services with the development, implementation and testing of payment system changes, improvements and related procedures.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or related field, and
• Two (2) years of experience in a position which involved payment preparation and processing and/or the application of accounting practices and principles to an accounting program. 
• An equivalent combination of related education and/or experience providing the desired knowledge, skill and abilities may be considered.   
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and Certified Accounts Payable Associate (CAPA) preferred.

• Knowledge of basic accounting terminology, practices and procedure.  
• Knowledge of accounting codes, classifications and terminology pertinent to technical payroll preparation and payment of invoices for large entities
• Knowledge of computerized accounting systems.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers and departmental staff in an entity wide environment.
• Skilled in use of personal computer and software necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to read, comprehend and, with assistance, apply County accounting procedures and BARS' regulations.
• Ability to make mathematical computations with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to understand and execute oral and written instructions, and to apply available guidelines to varied situations.
• Ability to maintain established financial records and prepare payroll related reports and statements.
• Ability to interpret rules and policy, educate and instruct departmental staff, and enforce compliance at an entity wide level.

Salary : $44,854 - $62,774