Accounting Specialist

Salary: $25.53/hr. - $31.91/hr.
This is a non-exempt (hourly) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity

The success of Mecklenburg County rests on strong, competent talent at all levels of the organization. The Finance Department is a team of professionals that are tasked with functions including capital and debt planning, investments, accounting, payroll, procurement, grant management and payables along with providing additional fiscal support to departments across the County. If you enjoy working with the public and are looking for a career where your work is important to the community, come be a part of Mecklenburg County Government and help us provide a community of pride and choice for people to live, learn, work, and recreate.

POSITION SUMMARY
Perform various accounting functions involving the preparation and/or maintenance of complex financial or related records. This position, under general supervision, is responsible for journal entries, collection of revenue for the sale of product, cash reports and related detailed information concerning financial, budgetary and related accounting matters. This position is in the Finance Department-Department Financial Services Division, Revenue & Grants Management team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Enter, update, organize, review, analyze and/or verify system or other data, statements, and forms; performs audits of procedures, transactions, document and/or data
• Research information and document discrepancies; reconciles payments, accounts, transactions and/or financial information; processes exceptions, makes corrections and resolves errors
• Assists in interpreting and applying policies, procedures, laws, regulations and ordinances.
• Provide internal and external customer support; responds to inquiries; provides information and instruction related to accounts, policies, procedures and/or processes in assigned area of responsibility
• Prepare and/or maintains files, records, reports, spreadsheets, accounts and/or documents; maintains aging or status reports; sends related correspondence and/or notifications
• Enter transactions or post data into automated systems, collect fees, prepares journal entries and balances transactions
• Research and compile information on a variety of financial transactions which could include real estate, taxable property, grant disbursements and regular fund reimbursements
• Develop regular reporting tools on items such as transactions, collections, delinquent accounts, accounts payable and receivable, fund transfers, purchases and related financial activities
• Coordinate with staff to assess current and future budgetary needs and special requests
• Reconciles current and year-end transactions

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Minimum of four years of accounting or administrative work in finance or accounting department
Education: Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted: Yes

Licenses and Certifications • May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
• May require County Driving Privileges


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Cash handling, bank deposits, recording cash receipts, and bank reconciliation.
• Experience with accounts receivable and accounts payable.
• Experience with preparing financial reports.
• Financial systems; AMS Advantage, BOA CashPro, and OnBase systems are a plus.
• Experience with web-based systems such as NCTRACKS.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Intermediate to advanced level MS Excel skills, including Excel data mining.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of
• Budgetary and accounting principles
• Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations
• Governmental accounting procedures and generally accepted accounting principles
• Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
• The structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Principles and processes for providing customer service

Skills
• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting
• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
• Talking to others to convey information effectively
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Using mathematics to solve problems
• Ability to meet hard deadlines.

Abilities
• Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problem and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probably consequences
• Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence


COMPUTER SKILLS
Intermediate in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


DISCLAIMER STATEMENT This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor's request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.