Senior Accounting Technician

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Compiles invoices from internal mail and email from departments; checks invoices for proper account number, documentation, department head signature, and correct math; matches invoices with purchase orders; enters data from invoices into fields within accounting data base; works with auditors in annual review process.
• Generates accounts payable checks, alphabetizes invoices and forwards checks and related invoices to the Finance Director; maintains records of check runs; verifies that accounts are in balance; mails to vendors; maintains files on purchase orders and invoices with pay stubs.
• Establishes and updates vendor files; research discrepancies regarding invoices and payments; prepares and mails 1099s and submits electronically.
• Prepare daily deposits and ensure cash collections reports are accurate.
• Monitors Finance Department petty cash.
• Oversees inquiries concerning billing and invoices; contacts departments, employees, and vendors about problem areas; maintains vendor files; sets up new vendors.
• Serves as a back-up at the customer service desk; collects fees for utility bills, assessments, and other revenue payments through mail or from walk-in payments; and enters them into the database.
• Answers the phone when covering the customer service desk; answers questions about the city’s programs, policies, and procedures, or refers the call to the appropriate staff member.
• Prepares payroll, imports time entries, pay payroll taxes and 401k.
• Prepares and submits monthly sales tax reports.
• Draft the annual sales tax refund report (E585) for the Finance Director’s review and reconcile to the ledger.
• Verifies payroll withholding payments and balances to the ledger.
• Comparing payroll to payroll to identify differences and verify the changes are purposeful.
• Reconciles payroll postings in the ledger to calculated allocations.

• Distribute mail and sort into department boxes.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of rules, policies, and practices to follow in the accounts payable function.
• Working knowledge of paraprofessional governmental accounting principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of standard operating practices involved in modern office operations and serving the public.
• Working knowledge of applying information technology to work includes standard office technology and specialized fiscal applications.
• Skill in internal and external customer service excellence and collaborative conflict resolution.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to understand and apply policies to the maintenance of financial and accounting records and reports.
• Ability to deal with customers with tact and courtesy and maintain control in sensitive and difficult situations.
• Ability to create and maintain accurate records, reports, and files supporting a cash receipt and customer-oriented operation.
• Ability to operate calculators, computers, and related office equipment at the desired level of speed and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, vendors, supervisors, and customers.

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, reaching, walking, lifting, fingering, and repetitive motions.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging information by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, to receive detailed information through oral communications, and /or to make fine distinctions in sound. Visual acuity is required for operating a computer terminal, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating office machines, determining the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work, extensive reading, and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

• Graduation from a community college with an associate’s degree in accounting, business, or a related field and some experience in an accounting or fiscal office environment utilizing fiscal technology; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Associate’s degree in accounting or business administration.

• Ability to be bonded.
• Employees may be called upon in case of a disaster, either natural or man-made, to serve the Citizens of Clinton, and failure to serve when required may result in personnel action. Service to the Citizens during a disaster may result in the assignment of other duties, which will take precedence over duties described in this job description.