Accounting Technician

Accounting Technician

Under general direction, incumbents perform a variety of moderately complex or specialized fiscal, financial, statistical and accounting department functions in support of CCCERA. The responsibilities of an Accounting Technician may include data entry and maintenance of retirement system databases, reconciliation of investment accounts, ledgers and cash accounts; assisting with the preparation of various governmental agency financial and statistical reports; and other related work as required. Receives general supervision from the Accounting Supervisor. Exercises no supervision over staff. This classification is responsible for independently processing financial records and transactions within CCCERA's Accounting Department with minimal supervision and is distinguished from the Accounting Specialist classification in that the latter is responsible for more complex and higher-level technical accounting work, requiring an increased-level of discretion and independent decision-making, and provides technical assistance and/or functional direction to lower-level accounting support staff.

Performs a variety of moderately complex accounting duties in support of CCCERA's fiscal transactional operations. Processes account payables to ensure that all charges are in compliance with policies and procedures; compares invoices, supporting documentation, and signatures to confirm paperwork is accurate; resolves invoice discrepancies. Processes invoices for periodic check runs; runs reports within the financial management system and compares to transaction worksheets to confirm they match and are accurate; submits to higher level accounting staff for review prior to final processing. Processes refunds from the Member Services Department; sets up member information within the financial management system; codes and enters all accounts for payment processing. Reviews and checks payroll deductions from the Retiree Payroll for accuracy prior to formatting, printing, and preparing the monthly Retiree Payroll check run; codes all payroll deductions for correct payer source; requests Payroll Deduction Report from Retirement Services Department and prints backup documentation and mailing labels. Maintains the petty cash fund; handles disbursements and balancing of the fund; reconciles and replenishes the fund. Performs duties in support of the purchasing function; sets up and maintains database for new vendors; reviews quotes for services to identify and resolve discrepancies; verifies changes with management; communicates with vendors regarding statements and invoices; creates purchase orders; scans and files all supporting documentation. Checks, indexes, and files paid invoices, purchase orders, claims, and other financial papers. Creates, maintains, and records financial transactions and data on accounting software, spreadsheets, and databases; monitors expenditure codes and, within established guidelines, adjusts as needed. Performs arithmetic calculations and verifies totals and extensions using Excel and 10-key calculators. Supports record retention, record keeping, and maintenance of office supplies inventory. Assists in a variety of general office support work such as gathering, organizing and maintaining various files, preparing reports, forms, and specialized documents. Assists in preparation of year-end documentation, including providing workpapers that support financial statement balances, checking and proof-reading certain general ledger accounts for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal and external policies. Assists in compiling expenditure data from professional services consultants and investment managers on Excel spreadsheets and reconciles to the general ledger on an ad hoc basis. Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of an accounting department. General understanding of accounting policies and procedures relevant to work performed (GASB and GAAP). Operational characteristics of financial management software relevant to work performed. Basic mathematical skills. Methods and techniques of reviewing and comparing fiscal documents for adherence to CCCERA policies. Principles and practices of accounts payable processing. Clerical procedures and practices, including filing, indexing, and cross-referencing. Principles and practices of customer service. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work performed. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

Ability to: Learn operations and services of a public retirement system. Perform a variety of fiscal transaction processing tasks. Generate routing reports within a financial management system. Make rapid and accurate arithmetical computations. Create and maintain fiscal records and files. Operate modern office equipment, including computers and specialized software applications relevant to work performed. Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Follow oral and written directions. Maintain confidentiality. Effectively communicate orally and in writing. Communicate information in a format that is easily understood. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Demonstrate strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations at all times.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in financial/accounting support and recordkeeping and 9 semester or 13.5 quarter units from among the following listed accounting courses: Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Advanced Accounting, General Accounting, Governmental Accounting, Fund Accounting, Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting or Auditing, which must be transferable to an accredited college or university system for credit.

Licenses and Certifications: None.

Physical Demands: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Elements: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Disaster Service Worker: All Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association (CCCERA) employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with CCCERA requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency, therefore, employees must be residing within 200 miles of Concord, CA on scheduled work days.

Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of CCCERA to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Preference will be granted to applicants with experience in the County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL or 1937 Act). This position has 6 steps in the salary range. CCCERA generally starts new hires at step 1, or step 2 based on qualifications. The salary increase from step 1 to step 2 is assessed at 6 months and annually thereafter. After an initial training period, CCCERA allows employees to request to work remotely up to 2 days per week. Everyone is required to work in the office on Tuesdays.