Principal Account Clerk

Definition

Under general supervision, perform difficult and specialized work in the preparation of financial and statistical records; establish and maintain complex accounts; and perform related work as required.

The Principal Account Clerk is the advanced level in the Account Clerk series. Under general supervision, incumbents perform clerical accounting duties of above‑average difficulty requiring advanced training, knowledge, and experience. Instructions from supervisors typically provide only partial guidance; incumbents must use judgment and precedent to resolve most problems, referring only to the supervisor for the establishment of new procedures or policies.

• Perform difficult clerical financial and statistical record‑keeping work.
• Reconcile cash and accounts, receive applications for business licenses, determine fees, receive payments, and issue licenses.
• Enter business license data into computer terminals, prepare bills, verify accuracy, and mail them.
• Liaise with other departments concerning business license and permit applications.
• Compute penalties and interest, issue and maintain records of various permits, and manage accounts receivable ledgers.
• Prepare invoices, maintain records of receipts and delinquencies, send follow‑up notices on overdue fees, match invoices to purchase orders, and resolve accounts payable problems.
• Input and balance data, verify warrants, process utility service invoices, handle turn‑on and turn‑off authorizations, and provide public information on utility services.
• Prepare periodic reports, statistical summaries, sell dog licenses and transit passes, operate cash registers, and process miscellaneous collections.
• Compile information for statistical reports, devise forms, and maintain records of utility services and meters.
• Proofread materials for clerical accuracy, operate office equipment such as calculators and printers, and maintain high data accuracy.

Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

• Typical education: completion of twelfth grade.
• Typical experience: at least three (3) years of progressively responsible record‑keeping experience, preferably in a municipality.

• Computer operating methods and office software.
• Applicable state laws, city ordinances, procedures and regulations governing the department.
• City revenue account codes and accounts receivable processes.
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Methods, practices and terminology used in financial clerical work.
• Modern office equipment and procedures, including the preparation of business correspondence and reports.
• Advanced and accurate record‑keeping methods.
• Business math and effective leadership methods.

• Work as a team to ensure timely and accurate accounting and posting of revenues, accounts payable invoices, utility billings, business license billings, and adjustments.
• Operate a computer accurately and efficiently.
• Interpret and apply difficult regulations and procedures to a wide variety of situations.
• Maintain accurate interrelated financial records and prepare comprehensive, accurate reports.
• Devise and adapt work processes and record‑keeping systems to meet changing organizational or specialized needs.
• Work independently with considerable accuracy and ensure work correctness.
• Receive and give information over the telephone or in public in a courteous manner.
• Analyze situations and use judgment to develop effective courses of action.
• Accurately code incoming receipts and perform arithmetical calculations rapidly and accurately.
• Type at a corrected rate of 45 words per minute and proofread to detect and reconcile errors.
• Operate a calculator by touch and understand electronic data processing methods and procedures.
• Follow oral and written instructions and establish effective relationships with stakeholders.

• Strength: light lifting, carrying, and/or pushing up to 25 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Work is primarily sedentary.

The City of Clovis is an Equal Opportunity Employer.