Accounting Specialist

Accounting Specialist Perform a wide variety of routine and non-routine accounting and clerical tasks to support the Finance Department. Areas of responsibility include accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, administrative support, and customer service duties. Responsible for preparing, processing, analyzing, recording, reconciling, and maintaining of financial accounts. Serve as customer service representative to the public as well as other City employees. Accomplish routine tasks independently and handle non-routine responsibilities with moderate amount of supervision/instruction. These tasks are illustrative only and may include other related duties. Full-time 40 hours per week AFSCME-represented position 12-month probationary period Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm Depending on assignment, Accounting Specialists will be responsible for processing specialized accounting and financial functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, purchasing-card (Pcard) transactions and other related functions. Processes invoices/statements, monitors receivables Citywide, maintains customers' accounts, reviews and processes charges, reconciles system and processes bankruptcy files. Turns accounts over to collections. Maintains, processes and transmits information related to property liens and assessments including System Development Charges, loans and violations. Processes payments coming into the City's financial software. Reviews sub-systems to ensure proper flow into the City Financial System. Oversees the City's daily operating cash requirements which includes processing and recording payment activity in the City's banking and investment accounts. Acts as City liaison to banking service provider. Matches purchase orders to invoices, enters invoices into the City's financial software and processes check runs according to department deadlines. Reviews requisitions and invoices for accuracy and compliance with procurement policy and departmental guidelines. Sets up new vendors, maintains vendor W-9 forms, reconciles vendor statements and researches and resolves outstanding balances on accounts. Produces 1099 forms. Trains new employees and City staff in area of assignment including accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, Pcards, internal controls, banking, and electronic payment process. Performs accounting and data entry duties for accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoices, and purchase orders. Generates operational and summary reports. Prepares journal entries and balances system detail to summary accounts. Provides backup support services to utility billing such as providing information, processing transactions, reconciling customer accounts, completing utility billing daily deposit, adjusting customer statements and resolving customer inquiries and complaints. Serves as front-line customer service representative for walk-in customers as well as answers phones, routes calls, takes messages, sends or responds to e-mail. Reviews Pcard transactions and statements, including monitoring Pcard transactions for compliance with City purchasing guidelines as well as the Pcard manual. Assists in the month-end and year-end processes including preparation of audit workfiles. Assists in annual audit by preparing assigned reports or providing documentation. Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion and judgment in dealing with sensitive or confidential information within the guidelines of the City's Identity Theft & Red Flag policy and customer service standards. Interprets and applies Federal, State and local laws, administrative rules, guidelines, policies, codes, ordinances and technical principles in a variety of circumstances. Performs duties in compliance with department policies, guidelines and internal controls. Performs routine and non-routine clerical duties such as spreadsheet/database functions including formatting, data entry, records maintenance and word processing/typing. May assist with clerical training, proofing, editing, and review of clerical work. Performs administrative support duties such as maintain calendars, schedule meetings, make travel arrangements. May purchase office supplies and equipment. Maintains files on vendors, customers and transactions in accordance with applicable reporting best practice requirements. Prepares meeting materials, public notices, and announcements. Writes and/or reviews procedures and provides input regarding changes and improvements in procedures and processes. Provides information and training to other staff and departments. Composes documents, letters, memoranda or notices from brief instructions or through own initiative. Assists other administrative staff and performs other related duties. Acts ethically and honestly; applies ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities and interactions. Builds confidence in the City through own actions. Conforms with all safety rules and performs work in a safe manner. Delivers excellent customer service to diverse audiences. Maintains composure and deal tactfully with the public. Deals calmly and effectively in confrontational situations. Maintains effective work relationships. Adheres with all City and Department policies. Arrives to work, meetings and other work-related functions on time and maintains regular job attendance. Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent and three years of related experience in office/business practices and procedures including professional billing and experience using computerized accounting systems. OR Associates degree with major coursework in computerized accounting systems, business administration, or related field and one year of related experience including using computerized accounting systems. Experience with accounts receivable, accounts payable or cash management required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Accurate clerical skills in word processing, spreadsheets, filing, record keeping systems, and operating office equipment. Fundamental knowledge of basic financial management and applications including accounts receivable billing, accounts payable, and cash management processes. Ability to use and maintain manual and computerized filing and record-keeping systems. Technical knowledge and ability to interpret and apply applicable and changing Federal, State and local laws, administrative rules, guidelines, policies, codes, ordinances and technical principles relative to area of assignment. Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple duties; ability to work accurately and quickly with multiple customers, in person and on the phone, at the same time. Ability to perform routine duties independently, work with interruptions and consistently meet required deadlines. Microsoft Excel skills and ability to create auto-calculating spreadsheets, perform basic equations, produce graphs and format for printing, sort and filter tables of data. Microsoft Word skills and ability to format, write documents, insert page breaks, create headers/footers and insert graphics. Knowledge of Business English, spelling, punctuation, grammar, basic math and basic bookkeeping terms and concepts. Ability to write and maintain position procedures and required forms and train other employees in all areas of assignment. Effective interpersonal, customer service, communication and telephone skills, and the ability to interact with a diverse population. Maintain composure and deal tactfully with the public. Deal calmly and effectively in confrontational situations. Ability to get along with coworkers and the general public, and maintain effective working relationships. Type by touch, proof read and edit. Ten-key skills by touch and the ability to use a computer for extended periods. Understanding of operational rules and general instructions. Ability to discern and apply procedures to situations as encountered within established guidelines. Special Requirements: Ability to travel among City worksites as needed. Demonstrable commitment to sustainability. Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion. The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace. Qualified applicants must submit an online application located on the City of Corvallis website (click on "Apply" above). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed online application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted/considered. Position is open until filled. First review of applications will occur after 8:00 am on June 15, 2026. *Please do not include personal or protected information in attached resumes or cover letters, this includes your birth date, age, dates of education, and graduation dates.