Accounting Specialist - Palm Desert, United States - College of the Desert

Description

Position Details

Position Information

Position TitleAccounting Specialist

Job TypeStaff

DepartmentFiscal Services

Campus Introduction

About College of the DesertThe College of the Desert, Desert Community College District enrolls approximately 15,000 students each academic year with steady enrollment growth each year.

College of the Desert embraces diversity in all forms and the right of all people to have access to quality higher education in a safe learning environment.

Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), College of the Desert administers an array of student programs specifically focused on student support and helping students achieve their educational and career goals.

As a two-year college, we offer Associates Degree for Transfer, both in Art and Sciences, Associates Degrees, and Certificates across a wide range of disciplines.

College of the Desert is a district that consists of leadership, staff, and faculty who are committed to enhancing our community through supporting the academic success of all of our students including students of color, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students of all ages, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, "dreamers", and students of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression.

When you join College of the Desert you can expect to be part of a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community.

We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences, emphasizes collaboration, and engages students in and out of the classroom.

We are committed to ensuring that College of the Desert is a welcoming place for the success of all students.

Interested in learning more about College of the Desert and the Coachella Valley? Visit the links below.

The Community - Coachella ValleyCollege of the Desert

Who We Want:

College of the Desert is seeking individuals from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations.

As such, we prioritize individuals who fully demonstrate their understanding of the community we serve, the benefits of diversity in a professional and educational setting, and values creating a culture that brings people together.

A successful candidate will value working in a collegial, collaborative environment that is guided by a commitment to inclusion, student education, and equity.

An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as faculty, staff and leadership for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; andStrategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives.

Basic Function

BASIC FUNCTIONUnder the direction of the Director, Fiscal Services, perform varied and complex accounting work specializing in the maintenance of a set of accounts and financial and statistical records; audit financial records District-wide.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICSThe Accounting Specialist performs more advanced work with responsibility for a set of accounts requiring more technical expertise and internal audit responsibilities.

Positions allocated to the Accounting Technician class perform accounting work specializing in the maintenance of a set of accounts and financial and statistical records.

EMPLOYMENT STATUSClassified Bargaining UnitClassified Salary Schedule Range/Row 15Location: Palm Desert CampusSchedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location and schedule may change based on District need

Additional Position Information

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTSValid California driver's license. Must have an acceptable driving record and current vehicle insurance meeting State of California requirements. Occasional travel required.

Representative Duties

REPRESENATATIVE DUTIESThe following duties are representative of the essential functions of the position.

Perform specialized accounting work involved in one or more assigned set of complex District-wide accounts such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, general fund and special categorical projects.

Verify and code data according to prescribed procedures; review financial information to assure accuracy of information.
Gather, assemble, tabulate, proof, extend, verify, balance, summarize and post fiscal data or assigned accounts.

Review items for assigned set of accounts to assure accuracy and completeness of financial records; provide proper internal controls; audit and adjust source documents and other input data.

Prepare supporting schedules, worksheets and reports for assigned accounts; prepare statements and reports for funds as assigned for management and Board review.

Communicate with administrators, faculty, vendors, staff and others regarding assigned accounts; review budgets for assigned accounts and provide statements of forecasts and balances as requested; provide cash flows and other financial, statistical and analytical reports as requested for assigned accounts.

Prepare and present training sessions as required.
Process a variety of financial information; adjust accounts; input statistical data regarding budgets and assigned accounts.
Reconcile accounts as assigned; prepare various accounting and budget control documents.

Perform internal control procedures for receipt, deposit and expenditure of District funds; audit postings made by all District positions; perform random compliance tests to determine adequacy of internal controls; analyze reports to ensure compliance with internal audit controls.

Train personnel in use of computerized on-line financial accounting and reporting system and appropriate cash controls, cash handling, and cash management.

Monitor cash management system daily; reconcile and resolve positive pay exception notifications.

Oversee the credit card balancing system for student accounts receivable registration; process and post credit card payments; review and analyze credit card transactions; monitor telephone credit card payments with collection of sales drafts; evaluate total fees collected and assign fees to appropriate budget account codes; act as liaison between bank officials and the District.

Assist and reconcile third party collection firms with outstanding accounts receivable and debt collection including retiree health insurance benefits.
Develop and assist in the formulation and implementation of improved accounting, budget and financial record-keeping procedures. Assist departments with annual budget development and formulation.
Prepare and assist external actuary with information required for GASB 43 and 45 reporting. Maintain post retirement employee records.
Audit monthly insurance invoices and process benefit payments for employees.
Communicate in person, online and on the telephone with students, faculty, and the public regarding the collection of monies. Assist cashiers on front line counters with payments, deposits, or refunds. Open safe on a daily basis and maintain custody of District cash fund.
Assist the Director of Fiscal Services to develop policies and procedures for the Bursar Office.

Coordinate with District offices to identify and recommend resolutions to centralize all collection of money in the Bursar Office in accordance with District policy.

Serve as contact person with banking institutions in completing daily banking transactions excluding federal grant drawdowns; authorize bank wires as necessary; issue stop payment orders on checks; transfer funds between District accounts as needed; coordinate action with banks regarding forgeries, disputed bankcard charges; monitor bankcard and credit card machine transactions and verify bank charge for these services.

Audit, monitor and balance Federal and State reports and prepare periodic reports. Submit validated Federal drawdown requests for reimbursement to the Financial Analyst.
Attend a variety of meetings, trainings, and conferences.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCEAny combination equivalent to: an Associate degree in Accounting or related field and four (4) years of accounts receivable experience including two (2) years of experience receiving and accounting for cash and credit card payments.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of


Knowledge of:

Procedures, methods, practices and terminology used in bookkeeping and financial recordkeeping; modern office practices, procedures and equipment; modern accounting office machines; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; operation of computers and a variety of software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Financial Aid, District, and County administrative systems; preparation, maintenance, verification and processing of payroll records, technical aspects of field of specialty; banking regulation and laws regarding credit card banking and foreign currency banking; applicable laws, rules and regulations related to assigned activities including Payment Card Industry Security Compliance; diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students; interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

Ability to


Ability to:

Post and make arithmetic computations rapidly and accurately; use a variety of office equipment; operate office machines including a computer and applicable software; understand and follow oral and written instructions; interpret and explain policies, procedures, rules and regulations; analyze and recommend improvements to systems and procedures; align programs and services to department objectives and goals; prepare correspondence and informational materials for handout; work cooperatively with others; exhibit sensitivity and understanding of the varied racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, academic, socio-economic, and disabled populations of community college students; work confidentially with discretion; understand and work within scope of authority; work independently with little direction; communicate effectively both orally and in writing to exchange information; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; plan and organize work; set schedules and time lines; sit for extended periods of time, bend at the waist, kneel, or crouch; lift 15 pounds.

Physical Demands

Working Conditions

WORKING CONDITIONSEnvironment:
Office environment. Constant interruptions.

Full Time/Part TimeFull Time

Weekly Working Hours40

Work Schedule & HoursMonday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Tuesday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Wednesday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Thursday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Salary Schedule RangeClassified Salary Schedule Row 15: $71, $100,768.08 annually

Specific Departmental Needs

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number24-020

Number of Vacancies1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Tentative Interview Date05/23/2024

Posting Open Date04/11/2024

Posting Close Date05/01/2024

Open Until FilledNo

Special Instructions to Applicants


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Applications missing any of the required documents listed will not be considered.

The following documents are required at the time of application:


Online Application:
Please fill out your online application completely with all requested details

Resume:
Must include length of employment (month/year start & end dates) for each employer

Cover Letter:
Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess

College Transcripts :
For consideration of college coursework, transcripts must be attached. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of transcripts.

IN YOUR APPLICATIONList of

Professional References:
References should include at

three supervisors and two colleagues.

Please include name, title, email, and current phone numbers for all references in your application. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted in lieu of the required addition of Professional References.
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