Placer County

To plan, organize, direct and supervise the performance of accounting, financial and statistical recordkeeping work in support of assigned functional areas which may include accounts receivable, accounts payable, department payroll processing, treasury, tax billing and collections, and contract administration; to perform technical, sub-professional, accounting, finance and fiscal recordkeeping; to prepare and review financial and statistical records; and to perform a variety of specialized technical tasks relative to assigned area(s) of responsibility.

This is the full journey level technical accounting class.  Employees within this class are distinguished from the Accounting Assistant series by the performance of work that typically requires specialized college-level training in accounting and finance rather than bookkeeping, by performing a broad range of duties as assigned and typically including responsibility for a program area of accounting and/or supervision of Accounting Assistants.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.
 

This class is distinguished from the Accountant  series and Auditor series in that the latter are professional levels, requiring completion of a Bachelor's Degree in accounting or a closely related field.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

May exercise supervision over Accounting Assistant classifications or general clerical personnel.

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

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives related to assigned functional area; establish schedules and methods for clerical and technical financial, accounting and bookkeeping operations; prepare and implement clerical and technical financial and accounting policies and procedures.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of assigned staff; prepare and monitor schedules of assigned staff.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned programs or functions; recommend improvements and modifications; ensure compliance with appropriate laws and regulations.
• Perform and/or supervise the maintenance of journals and subsidiary ledgers, general ledgers, tax billing and collection, accounts receivable, accounts payable, department payroll processing and similar accounting records.
• Personally perform technical, complex accounting and financial transactions.
• Research and resolve the more complex matters with vendor and customer accounts.
• Supervise and/or participate in the review and processing of department payroll ensuring accuracy; research and correct errors; process leave requests; and respond to questions from department staff.
• Supervise and/or participate in the processing of accounts payable involving the review and coding of invoices to appropriate contracts; verify materials are received and charges are accurate; monitor contracts to ensure sufficient funds for payment.
• Assist with the collection and compilation of data for budget purposes, ensuring correct revenue and expense reporting.
• Prepare and maintain computerized financial spreadsheets for ledgers, trusts and statistical records; prepare reports from spreadsheets summarizing information and financial records.
• Review Board of Supervisor agenda and Final Summaries for the approval of new contracts; set up new suppliers; analyze and reconcile supplier contract budgets; audit payments to ensure compliance with budget spending authority.
• Analyze expenses and allocate to specific programs and activities.
• Compile and submit required documentation for grant reimbursement and annual audit.
• Process complex claims which involve gathering and reviewing large quantities of data from a variety of sources and reports; calculate, create and send invoices and track payments; balance accounts.
• Maintain County fuel cards; review and analyze reports to ensure proper controls and adherence to County policies; conduct audit of card inventory and use.
• Participate in the Auditor-Controller’s Office audit process; respond to questions and requests for documentation.
• Receive, verify, track and distribute court fines and fees to County departments and State.
• Audit annual tax roll extension to ensure property values are correct; verify tax rates to tax schedule; process changes to taxpayer assessment based on changes in the tax code.
• Receive and process business license applications; prepare correspondence requesting additional information; track, record, maintain, calculate and distribute business license fees.
• Prepare bulk transfers for the sale of businesses; research ownership and tax liabilities; prepare required documents; create refunds for overpayments.
• Create notice of intent to lien as it relates to delinquent taxes; track collection notices, liens filed, and vessel holds and releases.
• Prepare parcel splits which involves researching, verifying, calculating, estimating and preparing reports for developers and property owners.
• Classify receipts and expenditures and record them to the appropriate project, accounts, funds, trusts, etc.; reconcile ledgers and accounts.
• Balance financial information system controls; balance and post cash receipts, payments and registers; and balance various other statistical and financial transactions with source documents and controls.
• Perform tax default processing and collections.

• Compile statistical data and prepare reports or summaries for submission to other departments in the County or outside agencies.
• Interpret and apply County, State and Federal regulations concerning financial and statistical transactions and reports; prepare financial and statistical reports for submission to State and Federal agencies.
• Transfer unclaimed funds in accordance with government code and County policy. Maintain and reconcile inventory records, removing or adding items as requested; assist with inventory counts.
• Meet with the public to obtain data, interpret information and answer questions; prepare correspondence independently to answer questions, request information, or provide explanations.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Work is typically performed in an indoor office environment and controlled temperature conditions. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Positions may require traveling to and from other locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions and lifting materials and supplies of light weight.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible journey level experience performing duties similar to an Accounting Assistant – Journey with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level coursework in accounting or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required. 

Knowledge of:

• Principles and procedures of accounting and finance, and their application to governmental financial transactions.
• Principles and practices of computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets and database packages.
• Principles and practices of supervision, leadership, training, and performance management. 
• Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations affecting accounting and assigned areas of responsibility in Placer County.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• Organize, implement, and direct clerical financial and accounting operations/activities.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk and/or stand at a counter for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; run errands; lift light weight.
• Intermittently, review documents related to Department operations; observe, identify and solve problems of office operations and procedures; understand, interpret and explain Department policies and procedures; explain operations and problem solve office issues for the public and with staff.
• Supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Identify problems and recommend appropriate action.
• Perform complex and varied accounting and financial recordkeeping.
• Interpret, explain, and apply operating policy, rules, and procedures of assigned function. 
• Operate a 10-key adding machine by touch.
• Prepare complex financial reports and statements.
• Apply accounting principles to the maintenance of accounting, financial and payroll transactions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and fellow employees of the County.
• Use modern office equipment and computers.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate effectively in writing and speaking.