Find & Apply For Accountant Jobs in Arroyo Grande, California

Under direction, to perform complex clerical accounting work in accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue reconciliation/processing and general ledger clerical work in keeping, maintaining, and verification of accounting; to process customer applications in utility billing and business licensing; to provide information and assistance to the general public; and to perform a variety of clerical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Accounting Clerk series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series and have responsibility for processing the City's accounts payable invoices. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in each of the accounting areas and able to provide support as needed to ensure deadlines are met.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Finance Manager. Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Respond to inquiries, provide information within the area of assignment and resolve complaints in a courteous, professional and timely manner. Perform data entry, audit scanned documents, and maintain digitized procedures Prepare a variety of correspondence, documentation and financial reports. Respond and perform assigned duties in the event of a City declared emergency. Maintain petty cash fund; verify and prepare daily bank deposits. Collect and account for monies and issue receipts. Serve as cashier for all City Hall departments; receive and input payments from customers and other departments; deliver deposits to banks as assigned. Perform receptionist duties; answer, screen and route telephone calls; respond to visitors at the front counter; open, sort and distribute mail. Perform a variety of general clerical duties including typing, maintaining files and records and maintaining supplies. Provide support to the Finance Manager as needed; assist Finance Manager in the performance of various duties including budget and spreadsheet functions. When assigned to

Accounts Payable:

Audit, Prepare, process, and generate accounts payable checks. Maintain Vendor documentation, contact information, and general files; maintaining communication with vendors concerning accounts. Monitor account coding in all areas for consistency with budget classifications; review all documentation for descriptive language and arithmetical accuracy. Prepare 1099's, 1098's, State Use Tax and all other annual reporting as needed. Respond to business licensing inquiries and provide information to customers over the phone and at the front counter. Maintain business license databases, including processing of new business applications and annual renewals. When assigned to

Payroll:

Perform complex clerical accounting functions including processing the City's payroll; review timecards submitted; record hours worked and verify computer payroll file data for current payroll period; generate payroll checks. Prepare payroll tax returns and other reporting documentation including insurance billings, disability, wage garnishments, deferred compensation and retirement; generate payment checks of withheld amounts to various agencies and institutions. Audit and reconcile payroll invoices payments, and taxes to ensure accurate record keeping. Maintain personnel records related to payroll; maintain confidentiality in all work areas including personnel, payroll, and budget preparation Maintain employee benefit data bases, including changes to employee coverage options. Provide information to employees concerning payroll matters; correspond with employees as required in a timely manner Manage cash receipting for payroll, business licenses and accounts receivable. When assigned to

Cashiering and Utility Billing:

Provide information to the general public person or by phone concerning utility billing issues and business license inquiries; prepare correspondence in compliance with established procedures. Prepare and process Utility Bills monthly. Maintain utility customer files, initiate new services, and interpret monthly water consumption records to determine accuracy of readings. Process retiree medical billings monthly and notify Human Resources of delinquencies. Prepare work orders as necessary for all utility matters as the public requests them.

Knowledge of:

Operations, services and activities of a municipal accounting program. Principles and requirements of payroll processing, record keeping and reporting. Principles and practices of business license processing including issuance and renewal. Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting. Modern office procedures, methods and equipment. Applicable computer software applications. Basic mathematical principles. Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.

Ability to:

Independently perform the most difficult clerical accounting activities. Perform the full scope of payroll processing, business licensing and utility billing activities. Interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures. Apply bookkeeping and basic financial record-keeping principles to the maintenance of financial and accounting records. Maintain accurate records and files. Prepare clear and concise reports. Maintain confidentiality in all work areas. Respond to requests and inquiries from others in a courteous, professional and timely manner. Operate office equipment and software. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain and foster positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, writing and operating assigned equipment. Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible clerical accounting experience.

Training:

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

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:

Office environment; exposure to computer screens and general office equipment, moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, dust and extensive contact with the public in a customer service environment. May interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Physical Conditions:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, copier, ten key calculator and telephone. Visual acuity to read written materials, a computer screen and prepare financial records; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; finger dexterity to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard and to operate standard office equipment. Must possess the ability to be in a stationary position or move for extended periods of time; occasionally traverse slippery or uneven surfaces or slopes; bend, stoop, kneel, reach, as well as lift, carry, push, pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.