Accounting Specialist

About the Department

The Cosumnes Community Services District ("District") is seeking a qualified candidate for the full-time, limited-term position of Accounting Specialist within the Office of the General Manager, Finance Division to join our team.  The selected candidate for this limited-term assignment will support the Finance Division while the District implements a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This position will backfill for existing Finance staff dedicated to the ERP project. While the full job description is outlined below, the primary responsibilities of this limited-term position will be:

• Accounts Payable (provides financial, administrative, and clerical support for payments owed to customers and vendors)
• Accounts Receivable (provides financial, administrative, and clerical support for the District. Invoices customers and tracks payments received to the District)
• Bank Reconciliations (compares, adjusts, and identifies discrepancies of internal financial records)

Position Description
Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex technical and administrative account support duties involving independent decision and judgment in the preparation, maintenance, and processing of accounting records and transactions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll in addition to balancing and maintaining manual and computerized accounting and financial records; and performs related work as required.

Salary Information
The salary range for the Accounting Specialist classification is between $30.74 - $43.25 hourly. The District typically appoints new employees at Step 1 of the salary range. Consideration for an appointment higher than Step 1 will be based on experience, education, or the need for unique skills or knowledge, and shall be no more than the midpoint of the salary range.

Position Duties

The following duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of a specific statement on duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed. Employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level as required. 
 

• Provides lead direction to staff in the area to which assigned;
• Performs complex financial, clerical, and technical duties including, but not limited to, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fiscal accounting systems, and customer service;
• May perform payroll duties that include, but are not limited to, preparing IRS and State quarterly reports;
• Ensures that the District meets State and Federal legal requirements in regard to payroll, payroll taxes and wage garnishments;
• Performs data entry, verification, reconciliation, and posting of batches for accounts payable, accounts receivable and/or payroll transactions;
• Auditing of various claims for payment including, but not limited to, those for travel, SMUD, telephone, wage garnishments, health, dental, vision, etc.;
• Prepares, maintains, and/or verifies a variety of accounting, financial and statistical records, spreadsheets, logs and files;
• Codes, verifies, and posts various financial documentation according to established accounting procedures including, but not limited to, confirming budget codes and verifying claim and/or timesheet submittals for accuracy;
• Communicates with general and governmental agencies to discuss billing transactions;
• Processes incoming mail and payments received by mail, which includes checking and copying supporting documentation, sending receipts to responsible parties and filing related reports;
• Reviews, assembles, tabulates, enters, balances, and/or adjusts information to ensure accurate reporting; research and resolves discrepancies and maintains various files and records;
• Processes or assists with the processing of files and documents such as invoices, purchase orders, forms, and other records;
• Operates automated systems to produce letters, reports, summaries, notices, checks, data, spreadsheets, and standardized forms;
• Provides courteous and professional service to CSD personnel and the public; Assists internal and external customers by phone, electronic mail, and in person with District and department specific information, and refers to appropriate staff;
• Performs a variety of general clerical duties including, but not limited to, typing, maintaining files and records, customer service, copying and answering phones.

Minimum Qualifications

Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities may be considered qualifying at the sole discretion of the District. The education or experience requirement may be modified or waived at the sole discretion of the General Manager. At least one of the education or experience requirements must be met; however, both requirements cannot be modified or waived. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be: 

Education and Training:

• High School Diploma, GED or Equivalent Certification. Completion of 30 semester units from an accredited university or college with course work in Accounting or closely related field desirable.

• Two (2) years increasing responsible experience in financial and statistical record keeping work.

• Must possess a valid California class "C" driver's license, with a satisfactory driving record as determined by the District and maintain it throughout employment.

• Methods, practices, and procedures used in payroll and financial record keeping;
• Federal and State regulations, procedures and practices as they relate to the area of assignment;
• Basic auditing and financial reconciliation procedures and techniques;
• Cash handling, balancing, and checkbook maintenance procedures;
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and computer applications related to the work, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database software;
• Basic operation of automated office machines including calculator, computer, keyboard, printers and other peripherals, copier, and fax machine;
• Business arithmetic and basic financial and statistical techniques;
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.

• Assign, review and supervise the work of other employees;
• Provide clear instruction and guidance on a day to day basis;
• Analyze problems that arise and recommend  or implement solutions;
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations with speed and accuracy;
• Transfer/post financial data accurately into automated system;
• Compare, transcribe, track and reconcile information between documents, accounts, and ledgers;
• Locate, identify, and correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications or programs;
• Prepare and maintain accurate reports and records;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing using all communications mediums;
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment with general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines;
• Understand and follow oral and written direction;
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting at desk and in meetings for long periods of time; occasionally reaching and twisting to reach equipment surrounding desk; occasional walking, standing, bending, stooping, and squatting; occasional pushing, pulling or lifting up to twenty (20) pounds;
• Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent computer use; occasional color and depth vision;
• Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding and reaching; frequent operation of office equipment and  instruments;
• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking in person and on the phone;
• Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision making and concentration, frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasionally works alone;
• Driving: ability to use fine and gross motor coordination for driving

 
Typical Working Conditions
Work is typically performed in an indoor office environment. Incumbents may be exposed to noise, moisture, dust, vibrations, heat and cold. Work may require travel to and from off-site locations throughout the District.

Other Qualifications

THE PROCESS:

Application Review (Pass/Fail): All applicants must complete and submit an application by the final filing deadline. Applications will be reviewed for possession of minimum qualifications and evaluated according to the essential functions of the job and other needs of the position.

• Supplemental Questions: The supplemental questions are considered a part of the application process. All required questions must be completed before the application can be submitted. The supplemental questions will be used to evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of the applicant's education, training, and experience. Depending on the size of the applicant pool, the supplemental questions may be used as a part of the supplemental screening.
• Supplemental Screening: The District will review the responses to the supplemental questions of all candidates meeting the minimum qualifications. The most competitive candidates in the applicant pool will be selected to continue in the selection process.

• Reference Check: Verification of work performance and employment history. 
• Background Check: A State of California, Department of Justice criminal background check.
  
  Upon successful completion of the background check, candidates must complete the following before final appointment:
  • Medical: A clear physical, drug, and/or tuberculosis screening will be required.
  • Driving Record: A State of California, DMV driving record printout will be required.
  • Work Eligibility: The District participates in E-Verify to confirm authorization to work in the US.

• Full-time employees receive generous medical, dental, life, disability, and vision benefits.
• The District participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). New members in the CalPERS system will receive a retirement formula of 2% at 62. Applicants who meet the CalPERS requirements for a "classic member" will receive a retirement formula of 2% at 55.
• All employees of the District participate in the Medicare portion of Social Security.
• Full-time employees receive generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave allowances.