Accounting Specialist

Accounting Specialist

Charles County Government is seeking an Accounting Specialist to perform technical accounting and related work for the central accounting division. Specialist will examine accounts and account transactions for conformance to procedures and identify any variances and discrepancies. This position will reconcile subsidiary and general ledger accounts and prepares journal entries.

The hiring salary for Accounting Specialist I is $55,823.32 -$73,128.32. The hiring salary for Accounting Specialist II is $59,172.65 – $77,516.18. Please note that applications will be capped at 100 and this job posting may be removed without notice. Telework eligibility is determined by county policy and the approval of the hiring department.

Essential Job Functions

• Generates routine journal entries as needed. Performs data entry for journal entries.
• Examines account transactions and prepares journal entries to correct or revise accounting entries.
• Maintains an assigned group of accounts by posting and printing transaction listings for examination; verifying and correcting account entries as appropriate; and preparing periodic summaries, recaps, and reports.
• Verifies deposit sheets and records revenue from various operations.
• Prepares and distributes certain credit card processor payments for appropriate department action.
• Reconciles various bank statements monthly.
• Reconciles various credit card statements to appropriate general ledger accounts monthly.
• Reviews, examines, and takes appropriate action to resolve discrepancies and correct errors in accounts, transactions, entries, and other account related records.
• Prepares, verifies, and processes general billing requests as assigned, including past due tracking and bond tracking.
• Verifies and records incoming accounts receivable customer payments in mail log.
• Utilizes the County's document imaging software to store records and information as outlined in the Department's Records Retention Schedule.
• Maintains files and records. Initiates or recommends procedures to improve and facilitate accounting processes.
• Maintains fuel usage records to include compiling County fuel usage, calculating unit costs, and preparing journal entries and department usage reports.
• Compiles data from accounts and records to prepare various State reports as required by law.
• Reconciles various credit card payments daily and verifies and resolves issues with credit card statements.
• Verifies landfill credit applications and forwards for action.
• Analyzes and verifies daily bank report items to include reviewing credit card journal, researching the incoming and outgoing funds, entering data in spreadsheets, and gathering information from the State for payments.
• Verifies other Accounting Specialists journal entries before posting to the system.
• Tracks all non-sufficient fund (NSF) checks written to the County and sends out letters of notification. Prepares journal entries necessary to track NSF items and prepares monthly reconciliation of NSF check listing to general ledger accounts.
• Verifies parks inventories and deposit sheets.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.
• Performs work of other positions in the division as backup as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:

Accounting Specialist I: High school diploma or equivalent AND three (3) years of related bookkeeping/accounting work experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Accounting Specialist II: High school diploma or equivalent AND four (4) years of related bookkeeping/accounting work experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training. Applicants with an associate or bachelor's degree in accounting or similar degree need a minimum of two (2) years of related bookkeeping/accounting work experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

None.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Work is subject to frequent interruptions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices of governmental accounting as applied to the maintenance of accounts.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures including the operation of standard office equipment such as calculators, desktop computers, copiers, and printers.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Ability to enter data accurately into computerized processing system.
• Ability to establish and maintain a group of accounts.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to examine accounts, account entries, and transactions to identify errors or discrepancies and take appropriate actions to resolve.
• Ability to compile data, verify its accuracy, and prepare reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.
• Ability to carry out daily assignments, follows through on matters, and uses independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with day-to-day operations.

Additional Information

Physical Demands:

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity. Work may be performed in office surroundings as well as outside. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs; bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

Work Environment:

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department/Division: Fiscal and Administrative Services/Accounting

Pay Grade: 111-112

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: Yes

Reports to: Accounts Receivable Manager

Supervises: None