Accounting Specialist - Escondido, United States - City of Escondido

Description

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido.

We have an opening for the position of Accounting Specialist in our Finance Department.

For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Under direction, performs a variety of difficult and complex technical accounting duties involved in performing responsible financial record keeping and reporting duties in support of assigned accounting system, function, or program area; answers questions and provides information and assistance to the other staff and the general public; and may provide lead direction within area of assignment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned.

Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series.

Employees at this level may be assigned specialized functions and are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

The following duties are typical for this classification.

Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Performs a variety of difficult and complex technical accounting duties in support of assigned accounting system, function, or program area.

Coordinates and processes information to ensure completion of assigned projects or duties within specified timelines; monitors compliance with laws, rules and regulations related to area of assignment and related fiscal activities.

Interprets and applies appropriate accounting rules and regulations; ensures work performed complies with established standards and principles.

Prepares, maintains, and/or verifies a variety of complex and comprehensive accounting, financial, and statistical records, ledgers, logs, and files; gathers, assembles, tabulates, enters, checks, verifies, balances, adjusts, records, and files financial data; codes data according to prescribed accounting procedures; reviews information to ensure accurate reporting; resolves discrepancies; establishes and maintains various files and records.

Prepares a variety of comprehensive financial, accounting, and statistical statements, analyses, documents, and reports; assists other staff in the preparation of reports and recommendations including to gather, organize, and analyze data; prepares difficult financial, accounting, budgetary, and statistical studies and reports.

Balances and reconciles various statements and accounts; analyzes accounts to determine accuracy of records; researches, compiles, and prepares reports for higher level staff as requested.

Utilizes various computer programs and applications; enters and maintains data; generates reports from a database or in-house system; creates spreadsheets and generates reports using spreadsheet software; creates documents using word processing software.

Answers questions and provides information and assistance to other staff and the general public in a courteous manner; interprets and explains City ordinance or administrative policies; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

Provides back up support for other accounting functions as required; provides assistance in performing other accounting related duties to meet deadlines; participates in special projects as assigned.

As assigned, trains employees in their areas of work including proper methods, procedures, and techniques; verifies the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.

Performs related duties as required.


QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of assigned accounting system, function, or program area.
Technical accounting principles and practices used in difficult and complex financial record keeping and reporting.
Procedures, policies, rules, and practices affecting the development, maintenance, and control of fiscal record keeping systems.
Governmental accounting principles and procedures and municipal accounting system requirements and procedures.
Principles and practices of budget development and administration including methods and techniques of budget preparation and control.
Principles and practices used establishing and maintaining files and information retrieval systems.
Methods and techniques of coding, verifying, balancing, and reconciling accounting records.
Account auditing principles and practices.
Mathematical principles.
Principles and practices of data collection and accounting, financial, statistical, and administrative research and report preparation.
Business letter writing.
Correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Methods and techniques of effective customer service.
Office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.


Ability to:

Perform a full range of difficult and complex technical accounting duties involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.

Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Understand, interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Understand, interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.

Perform a variety of accounting, fiscal, and statistical record keeping duties including to maintain a variety of complex records and files.

Prepare clear and concise accounting, financial, statistical, and administrative reports.
Review financial records, reports, and related documents, identify discrepancies, and resolve problems related to assigned are of responsibility.
Participate in budget development and administration.
Perform mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.


Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in accounting or a related field.

Experience:
Three years (full-time equivalent) of increasingly responsible technical accounting experience preferably related to area of assignment


NOTE:

For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site.

The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace.

All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended.

A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen.

Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process.

When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States.

Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment.

The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire.

New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department.

If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note:

Pursuant to California Civil Code section , the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion.

A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE
Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:
Served in the U.S. armed forces
Received an honorable discharge
Did not retire from military service
Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes

does not

qualify for veterans' preference.

Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed.

Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY
The is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County.

Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living.

Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities.

The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital.

Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE

The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation.

We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.
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