Accounting Technician Job at City of Seal Beach (CA) in California

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, performs difficult and responsible accounting support and administrative work in either the Financial Services Department or Police Department; participates in the preparation, review and adjustment of accounting records related to accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, payroll, utility billing, insurance billing, budgeting, and other functions; and does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Accounting Technician is distinguished from accounting clerical personnel by its specialized knowledge of technical accounting methods and procedures.

The Accounting Technician is differentiated from the Senior Accounting Technician, which exercises lead direction over accounting clerical staff and has responsibility for the preparation and reconciliation of a broader range of accounting and financial reports and audit schedules. The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicates with vendors, customers, or staff regarding accounting questions.
• Batches, verifies, and totals accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing or employee expense reimbursements, timekeeping, or personnel records.
• Organizes and prepares schedules for receivables, payments, and reimbursements; prepares, transmits, and files accounting data.
• Reviews and adjusts accounting and budgeting entries; assures that proper account numbers, rates, and deductions, purchase orders, or payment information has been provided.
• Completes various special projects related to accounting data research.
• May open, adjust, and close customer accounts; assign delinquent accounts to collections agencies.
• May audit fee payments and aging reports for cash and electronic transactions.
• May process, post and prepare invoices for payments.
• May download and upload meter readings for meter reads and billing purposes and schedule meter reads, meter re-reads, and meter repairs.
• May reconcile daily cash receivables in cash statements and prepare daily bank deposit records.
• May track and project budget expenditures for specific accounts and may prepare budget variance and analysis reports.
• May conduct business research to identify entities requiring licenses, including analysis of sales records, tax returns, and other data sources.
• May update data on accounts, audit returns, calculate fees, prepare renewal notices, and issue new business licenses and renewal business licenses.
• May prepare, audit, and disseminate grant reports and monitor account balances and disbursements.
• May review timesheets and payroll records for completeness and accuracy; verify and apply premium payments, rate changes, tax withholdings, and benefit deductions in accordance with statutes and labor agreements; balance accrued time off; prepare manpower reports; prepare and reconcile tax reports.
• May maintain employee identification and security system records.
• May train other accounting and office personnel regarding accounting procedures.

KNOWLEDGE OF

Accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, and purchasing methods and procedures; payroll accounting and timekeeping procedures and labor contracts and tax withholding and filing requirements; licensing and special fee requirements; billing practices and procedures; budgeting procedures; data retention requirements; customer service practices.

ABILITY TO

• Operate computer equipment and use accounting software, and spreadsheet and word processing software applications programs; operate calculator and other standard office equipment; verify, enter, and reconcile financial data and accounting information; ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements; prepare basic accounting records and reports; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, vendors, contractors, customers, and others in the course of work.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalent is required. Two years of complex clerical and technical accounting and budgeting work is required. Completion of technical accounting training and coursework is desirable.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES; SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

None.