Accounting Assistant - Senior

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

Placer County is currently accepting applications for Accounting Assistant - Senior & Accounting Technician.  Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications.  To be eligible for more than one level in the series, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment: 

Accounting Assistant - Senior        #2024-12404-02

Accounting Technician                   #2024-12406-02

To be considered for the first priority screening deadline and referral for upcoming vacancies, please submit your application materials by November 6, 2024 at 5:00pm. 

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform the most difficult and complex clerical accounting, financial and statistical recordkeeping work in support of a specific assigned functional area that may include accounts receivable, accounts payable, department payroll processing, treasury, tax billing and collections, and contract administration; to perform work requiring specialized accounting and financial knowledge, abilities, skills and experience; and may provide technical and functional supervision of Accounting Assistants and other clerical personnel.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Accounting Assistant series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing the duties and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series requiring specialized knowledge, abilities, skills and experience and may provide technical and functional lead supervision over Accounting Assistant classes.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

Exercise technical and functional supervision over Accounting Assistant and clerical positions.

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

• Perform complex clerical accounting, financial or bookkeeping work associated with the maintenance of journals and subsidiary ledgers, payroll, treasury, tax billing and collections, general ledgers, accounts receivable, accounts payable, fiscal controls and similar financial records.
• Develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Participate in evaluating the activities of staff, recommending improvements and modifications.
• Provide and coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.
• Perform and/or coordinate the maintenance of journals and subsidiary ledgers, general ledgers, tax billing and collection, department payroll processing, accounts receivable and payable and similar accounting records, requiring specialized technical, functional or programmatic knowledge.
• Personally perform the most technical, complex clerical recordkeeping transactions and may oversee the work of other personnel.
• Track cash receipts, returned checks and undeposited cash/checks.
• 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.
• Monitor supplier holds and process liens received by state and federal entities.
• Prepare and approve wires from County departments and special districts and verify receipt.
• Prepare and maintain complex computerized financial spreadsheets for ledgers, trusts and statistical records; prepare reports from spreadsheets summarizing information and financial records.
• Assist in the interpretation of County, State and Federal regulations concerning financial and statistical transactions and reports; prepare financial and statistical reports for submission to State and Federal agencies.
• Prepare periodic statements and analyses of statistical and financial records related to area of assignment.
• Conduct accounting and statistical studies and compute cost and revenue estimates.
• Classify and post expenditures, revenues, or authorizations to the appropriate budgetary or ledger accounts; maintain records of postings; and reconcile to financial reports.
• Keep ledger accounts and collection accounts, balance accounts; review, identify and correct irregularities.
• Receive financial or statistical documents; screen for accuracy and adherence to legal and procedural requirements; carry out proper steps to ensure or authorize payments; deliver documents, post to records, check and balance totals.
• Research and resolve issues with reconciliation.
• Make computations and changes to financial and statistical data, apply standard formulas or predetermined guides; assemble financial and statistical data from a variety of sources and prepare or assist in preparing financial and statistical reports.
• Contact other governmental agencies, private agencies and County employees to obtain information for and clarify financial or statistical records and transactions.
• Prepare complex financial or statistical reports and summaries independently; recommend improvements in financial recordkeeping procedures and systems.
• Prepare budget estimates; prepare trial balances, recapitulations, balance sheets and complex statistical and financial reports.
• Meet with the public to obtain data, interpret information and answer questions; prepare correspondence 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.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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.  Additional specialized training in bookkeeping, accounting or a related field is desirable.

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 practices of advances clerical accounting, financial and bookkeeping and statistical recordkeeping.
• Principles and practices of computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets and database packages.
• Basic governmental accounting principles and practices.
  
• Arithmetic calculations related to statistical recordkeeping.
• Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations affecting accounting and assigned areas of responsibility in Placer County.
• Principles and techniques of technical and functional supervision and training.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and/or stand at 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 problem-solve 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.
• Plan, assign, review and coordinate the work of others.
• Perform complex and varied statistical and financial recordkeeping, requiring specialized technical, functional or programmatic knowledge.
• Prepare complex financial reports and statements in accordance with predetermined requirements.
• Operate a 10-key adding machine by touch.
• Review financial or statistical documents; screen for accuracy and adherence to legal and procedural requirements; carry out proper steps to ensure or authorize payments and delivery, post to records, check and balance totals.
• Apply accounting, financial and statistical recordkeeping principles to the maintenance of statistical, accounting, financial and payroll transactions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Use modern office equipment and computers.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Training & Experience Rating (30%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Online Examination (70%) - Tentatively Scheduled for the Week of November 11, 2024 and the Week of December 16, 2024. 

After the posted filing deadline, qualified candidates will receive a notification via email when the examination is available. The online examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

Note: Candidates will have approximately three (3) calendar days from the date of notification to complete the online examination. Only one attempt will be permitted.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Preciosa Ayala-Burkhardt, Administrative Technician, at payala@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4637.