Accountant I Job at Government Jobs in Valencia

Accountant I

The Position

This role is responsible for comprehensive payroll processing under strict deadlines, encompassing various tasks from data entry and accuracy review of employee, time, leave, and benefit information, to calculating salary increases, tracking retirement program details, and reconciling accounts. Key duties also include ensuring compliance with contract requirements, conducting process reviews, preparing and checking journal entries, generating checks, and managing payroll closing functions. The position involves coordinating reporting processes such as CalPERS reconciliation and payments, filing IRS 941 and DE4 reports, generating and distributing tax forms (W2s), and ensuring adherence to federal and state payroll laws. The role handles insurance billing reconciliation, deduction reports, and individual coverage reviews, along with other assigned duties.

Examples of Duties

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

• Performs a variety of technical and professional accounting work supporting cash control, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, asset management, and general accounting processes; prepares financial and statistical statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards.
• Creates customized accounting and payroll reports; provides recommendations to the resolution of problems related to accounting and payroll processing.
• Updates, closes, and makes year-end changes to payroll and accounting applications; maintains and reviews payroll to ensure accuracy of payroll and accounting procedures; creates budget reports and provides assistance with payroll budgeting amounts and the distribution of salaries.
• Compiles and prepares financial statements, general and subsidiary ledgers, supporting schedules, and other financial and statistical reports; establishes and maintains complete files and records related to assigned functions.
• Assists in developing and administering enterprise resource financial system module; identifies system needs and assists information technology staff in system configuration and testing; reviews and evaluates enterprise system control flags to ensure effective operations; coordinates system changes and ensures staff training on system functionality.
• Inputs a variety of financial and statistical data into an assigned computer system; initiates queries, reviews data, develops spreadsheets, and generates a variety of computerized statements; assures accuracy data input and output.
• Coordinates negotiated changes in employee benefits, deductions, and new salaries to provide accurate employee payrolls and accounting records.
• Reviews the agency's financial records; prepares adjusting journal entries to properly reflect the agency's financial condition.
• Maintains and processes all deferred compensation and defined benefit records; interprets IRS rules and regulations for employees and accurate payroll processing.
• Conducts basic internal audits; verifies the classification of funds and accounts; verifies and checks accuracy of reports.
• Advises operating divisions on established agency accounting procedures and regulations; participates in meetings, conferences, and training.
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, agency management and staff, and the public.
• Operates a computer and assigned software including word processing, databases, financial and accounting programs.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)

Education and/or Experience

• Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for an Accountant I. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess:
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, finance, or a related field.
• One (1) year of responsible technical or professional accounting or financial support experience, preferably in a governmental agency.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Operations, services, and activities of a governmental accounting program.
• Basic methods and techniques of cost accounting.
• Financial statement preparation.
• Basic principles and practices of internal control and auditing.
• Basic principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of business data processing particularly related to the processing of accounting and financial information.
• Mathematical principles.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Methods and techniques for recordkeeping and report preparation and writing.
• Proper English, spelling, and grammar.
• Safe working practices.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Operation of a computer and assigned software.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills including tact, patience, and courtesy.

Ability to:

• Learn and apply principles and practices of internal control and auditing.
• Learn and apply principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Understand the organization and operation of the agency and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Examine and verify financial documents, reports, and transactions.
• Prepare a variety of routine financial statements, reports, and analyses.
• Analyze, post, balance, and reconcile financial data, ledgers, and accounts.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
• Read, interpret, and record data accurately.
• Organize, prioritize, and follow up on work assignments.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
• Follow written and oral directions.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Perform complicated mathematical calculations.
• Operate a computer and assigned software.
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive financial statements, reports, and written materials.
• Work as part of a team and work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Respond and perform assigned duties in the event of an agency-declared emergency.