Accounting Technician

Under general supervision, performs a variety of responsible, technical accounting duties in connection with the preparation, review, and maintenance of financial and statistical records; and performs a variety of technical and clerical tasks relative to the assigned area of responsibility.

Performs a variety of responsible technical accounting and financial office support duties in support of assigned accounting system, function, or program area.

Audits claims, warrants, computer source documents and other accounts and records for proper accuracy, authorizations, certifications and distribution of charges.

Prepares, maintains, reviews and verifies a variety of accounting, financial, and statistical records, ledgers, logs, and files; gathers, assembles, tabulates, enters, checks, verifies, balances, adjusts, records, and files financial data; codes data according to prescribed accounting procedures; reviews information to ensure accurate reporting; resolves discrepancies; establishes and maintains various files and records.

Posts, adjusts, reconciles internal accounts and balances to centralized accounting records.

Utilizes various computer programs; enters and maintains data; posts information to ledgers, journals, logs, and reports; generates reports from a database or in-house system; creates spreadsheets and generates reports using spreadsheet software; creates documents using word processing software.

Performs duties in support of the City's accounts payable function; receives incoming invoices for payment and reviews accuracy, proper authorizations, and account coding; researches discrepancies; prepares batches for data entry; ensures that payments are included and processed in a timely manner.

Processes and inputs daily cash receipts; ensures all cash receipts post to the general ledger; resolves discrepancies; prepares necessary reports.

Performs a full range of customer service duties related to area of assignment; provides information to the public, other government agencies, and City staff within the area assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

Prepares reports of findings and recommendations.

Conducts special investigations/projects as assigned.

Prepares year end accruals, reconciliations, and supporting schedules for the annual audit process.

Reviews and performs various reconciliations.

Records internal service vehicle allocations.

Monitors and records UUT and TOT including mailing of late notices.

Performs a variety of general office support functions including typing, record keeping, proofreading, and forms and report generation; sorts and distributes department mail; creates and maintains filing systems.

Prepares check warrants, invoices, requisitions, purchase orders and other similar documents.

Prepares a variety of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports.

Performs related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge of:

Operations, services, and activities of assigned accounting system, function, or program area. Governmental accounting and its application to municipal accounting. Principles of financial administration, including budgeting and reporting Informational systems used in accounting and the internal controls required. Responsible technical accounting principles and practices used in financial record keeping, bookkeeping, and governmental and fund accounting. Methods and techniques of coding, verifying, balancing, and reconciling accounting records. Basic principles and practices of auditing. Mathematical principles. Principles and practices of financial record keeping. Principles and practices of customer service. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

Perform technical accounting duties supporting the processing of payroll, utility billing, and business licensing. Reconcile various financial statements and balance as necessary. Perform a variety of accounting, fiscal, and statistical record keeping duties including to prepare, maintain, and reconcile a variety of records and files. Participate in the preparation of a variety of administrative and financial reports. Review financial records, reports, and related documents, identify discrepancies, and resolve problems related to assigned area of responsibility. Research, compile, and interpret a variety of information and make appropriate recommendations. Work independently in the absence of supervision. Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines. Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately including to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals. Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Understand and apply pertinent laws, codes, and regulations as well as organization and unit rules, policies, and procedures with good judgment. Implement and maintain filing systems. Participate in the development and modification of accounting systems. Compile a variety of information and records and exercise good judgment in maintaining information, records, and reports. Deal successfully with the public, in person and over the telephone; respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and courteously to issues, concerns, and needs. Work cooperatively with other departments, City staff and officials, and outside agencies. Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in accounting, bookkeeping, finance, or a related field.

Experience:

Two years of increasingly responsible technical accounting experience.

License or Certificate:

Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License and maintain possession of such license during the course of employment. Must have an acceptable driving record, be insurable at standard rates by City's insurance carrier, and maintain such insurability during the course of employment.

Physical, Mental, and Environmental Requirements: The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions:

Must be found to be free from any physical, emotional or mental conditions, as determined by a qualified physician and/or psychologist, which with or without accommodation might affect the ability of the employee to perform essential job functions. The position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. Additionally, the position requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in retrieving and entering data using a computer keyboard. Near and far vision is required in order to read work related documents and use the computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The position requires lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

This classification is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may be required to perform other reasonable duties as assigned by management. The City reserves the right, with the concurrence of the department head, to revise or change classification duties and responsibilities as the need arises and as consistent with the meet and confer process.

The City of Beaumont offers a complete benefit package for full-time employees including CalPERS retirement, health care, dental coverage, vision care, life insurance, short term disability and life insurance. For more detailed information please visit our benefits page.