Accounting Technician

Accounting Technician

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027. This recruitment will be limited to the first 40 applicants. The recruitment will close upon receiving 40 applications. The current vacancy is within the Department of Employment and Social Services. The eligibility list created from this recruitment may be used to fill any current or future vacancies in ANY Butte County Department. New employees generally start at the beginning of the salary range. The salary range has 7 steps with employees typically starting at step 1 and moving to step 2 upon the completion of a successful one-year probationary period. Each year thereafter, upon completion of successful performance, employees move to subsequent next step. Each step represents a 5% increase. Note: A training and experience evaluation may be utilized to determine an applicant's ranking among qualified candidates. Based upon information provided in this application including responses to supplemental questions, an applicant's education, training and experience (full-time equivalent) may be evaluated. Applicants should provide thoughtful and thorough responses to supplemental questions as they play an important role in this recruitment process. All qualifying work experience that is described or included in responses to supplemental questions MUST also be included and detailed in the "Work Experience" section of this application. "See Resume" is not an acceptable response for any supplemental question. FLSA: Non-Exempt DEFINITION Under general supervision, performs specialized and complex technical accounting work and fiscal support duties in connection with reviewing, processing, and recording financial and accounting records and transactions; and performs related duties as assigned. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is the fully qualified journey-level classification in the Accounting Technician series. Positions at this level perform of the full range of duties as assigned, work independently, and exercise judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Incumbents may assume specialized responsibility. Duties may vary based upon the department to which assigned; however, all positions require the ability to interpret and process financial records and transactions independent of supervision and to independently solve complicated transactions and problems. This class is distinguished from the Senior Accounting Technician in that the latter performs more complex work assigned to the series and serves in a lead capacity over assigned fiscal support staff.

Essential Job Functions

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Establishes, maintains, and controls a set of complex financial and accounting records by posting transactions to journals and ledgers; adjusts accounts according to established procedures; prepares worksheets, trial balances, and financial statements.
• Maintains cost accounting records by computing, allocating, and posting of costs to various accounts; calculates and allocates charges and depreciation costs; prepares summaries and cost statements.
• Reviews, audits, and reconciles varied reports, journals, budgets, or related fiscal or statistical data.
• Maintains varied subsidiary ledgers and generates general ledger entries.
• Gathers, compiles, and evaluates financial, accounting, and related data for reports to local, state, and federal agencies, requiring thorough familiarity with policies, procedures, and various applicable laws.
• Prepares and submits reimbursement claims; audits and verifies related invoices and supporting documentation, generates claims, monitors acceptance, and reconciles reports.
• Reviews contracts, reports, forms, and other source documents for accuracy, completeness, and conformance to contract provisions, existing standards, and applicable rules and regulations; gives final authoritative review to fiscal documents prior to final disposition; reconciles departmental accounting records with those of the County Auditor-Controller and County Treasurer-Tax Collector.
• Reviews clerical accounting systems, procedures, and forms, and recommends changes to meet new needs and requirements; devises new forms and determines appropriate format of data for reports.
• Assists in the preparation and control of a departmental budget; prepares preliminary budget estimates.
• Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources for the completion of forms or the preparation of reports.
• Assists customers, departments, and employees by receiving, processing, and responding to escalated questions, complaints, and requests for information; provides information on processes and procedures; interprets and explains applicable federal, state, and local codes and regulations; coordinates resolution to problems and issues.
• Performs a variety of general office support work, such as organizing and maintaining various files; typing correspondence, reports, forms, and specialized documents; and proofreading and checking materials for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with departmental policies and regulations.
• Attends various meetings and training as required or appropriate.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of: Terminology and practices of financial and accounting document processing and recordkeeping, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, basic government accounting, and journal/ledger preparation and reconciliation. Basic principles and practices of auditing and reconciling a variety of financial and accounting records. The organization and operation of the County and departments and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Business arithmetic, including accounting, financial, and statistical calculations. Methods of preparing and processing various records, reports, forms, and other documents. Principles and practices of financial/statistical recordkeeping. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff. The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed. Ability To: Perform specialized and complex technical accounting work and fiscal support duties. Exercise judgment and technical accounting skill in performing assigned duties independently. Establish, evaluate, and modify accounting systems, procedures, records, and forms. Review, audit, and reconcile a variety of financial, accounting, and budgetary reports, documents, and records. Interpret, code, process, post, adjust, and summarize financial records and transactions. Maintain and reconcile subsidiary ledgers. Prepare basic financial and statistical reports, charts, and graphs. Review data and reports for accuracy and conformance to standards and procedures. Establish and maintain a variety of filing and recordkeeping systems. Make accurate mathematical, financial, and statistical calculations. Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed. Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments. Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines. Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 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: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by coursework in accounting, financial analysis, statistics, or a closely related field; and Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in the review, processing, and maintenance of fiscal transactions and accounts or statistical data and records. Certifications and Licenses: A position assigned to this class may require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. WORKING CONDITIONS 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. EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED Equipment utilized includes personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment. Disaster Service Worker All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return