Senior Accounting Technician (20722298)

Definition

Under general supervision, performs a variety of complex technical accounting support duties in the preparation, maintenance, and processing of accounting and financial transactions, including payroll, general accounting, and financial reporting; and performs related duties as assigned.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Assistant Finance Director.  Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

 

Class Characteristics

This is the advanced-level classification in the Accounting Technician series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series.  Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment.  Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform assigned duties in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.  Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines and methods to complete assignments.  Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.  This class is distinguished from the Assistant Finance Director in that the latter has full management and supervisory authority in planning, organizing, and directing the full scope of accounting and finance operations within the department.

 

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives, reviews, verifies, and processes time recording documents to prepare payroll for all Town employees; audits documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with rules and regulations; prepares and balances payroll reports and records.
• Processes, calculates, and maintains records of a variety of personnel transactions and payroll actions; maintains employee records for voluntary and non-voluntary deductions; sets up, analyzes, and maintains pay, deduction, and tax codes; uploads direct deposit file; prepares journal entries of payroll transactions for posting to the general ledger.
• Prepares reports and payments for various payroll tax, financial, and benefits organizations; processes and files quarterly federal and state tax reports. 
• Interprets, applies, explains, and ensures compliance with provisions of collective bargaining contracts and personnel rules as they apply to payroll.
• Reviews, verifies, posts, balances, reconciles, and records a variety of accounting and financial transactions to the general ledger in accordance with established processes and procedures; calculates and makes adjustments; records and submits journal entries for any necessary adjustments; verifies account balances and available funds; coordinates management review and approval of accounting and financial transactions
• Researches and interprets payroll, accounting, and financial information and materials for various reports and year-end auditing, reconciliation, and closing processes; compiles, reconciles, and verifies information and prepares various payroll, accounting, financial, budget, and state and federal mandated reports, schedules, statements, and analyses; generates and distributes routine monthly revenue and expenditure reports.
• Reconciles receipts from cash register report; processes bank deposits; allocates funds to correct accounts; balances and reconciles accounts; and maintains petty cash.
• Prepares, processes, and issues various bills and invoices; sets up customer accounts; sets up and maintains billing codes; monitors past due accounts and sends to collections as appropriate.
• Generates and analyzes water usage reports; identifies usage patterns, inconsistencies, and discrepancies; recommends field investigations; and recommends account adjustments.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and detailed accounting and financial records and files according to established policies and procedures.
• Drafts procedures as they relate to assigned functional area of responsibility in coordination with assigned management staff.
• Researches and stays current on applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations and implements the necessary changes into the processes.
• Researches and responds to a variety of customer, vendor, and staff questions and complaints in person and over the telephone; researches and resolves problems; makes appropriate adjustments to accounts.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Terminology and practices of financial and account document processing and record keeping, including payroll and general accounting.
• Payroll reporting and payment requirements of various state and federal agencies and benefit providers.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Mathematical principles and practices of financial and statistical techniques.
• Principles and practices of data research, analysis, and report preparation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Town staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform complex and detailed accounting and financial support work accurately and in a timely manner.
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and Town policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Review and audit payroll, accounting, and other financial documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Review, post, balance, reconcile, and maintain accurate and confidential payroll and accounting records.
• Work closely with staff to maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and complex payroll issues.
• Understand the organization and operation of the Town and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.

• Make accurate mathematical, financial, and statistical computations.

• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:   Equivalent to an associate degree in accounting or twelve (12) units of relevant accounting classes and three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in a technical area of accounting processing, such as payroll or general accounting.