Principal Account Clerk

Definition

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

The Principal Account Clerk is the advanced level in the Account Clerk series. Incumbents, under general supervision, perform clerical accounting duties of above‑average difficulty requiring advanced training, knowledge, and experience. Instructions given by supervisors generally do not provide all of the information needed to complete the assignment. Incumbents are expected to resolve most problems confronted through the application of judgment and precedent, referring to the supervisor only those items which involve the establishment of new procedures or policies.

• Perform the more difficult clerical financial and statistical record‑keeping work.
• Reconcile cash and accounts; receive and process business license applications and payments; determine fees from established schedules.
• Issue licenses, enter business license data to computer terminal, prepare bills, check for accuracy, and mail.
  • Serve as liaison with other departments concerning business license and permit applications.
  • Compute penalties and interest due; issue and maintain records of a variety of permits.
• Establish and maintain account receivable ledgers; prepare invoices; send follow‑up notices on overdue fees and accounts receivable; match invoices to purchase orders, verify discounts and resolve account payable problems.
• Input data to computer, balance with control figures, verify warrants, prepare envelopes, and mail accounts payable invoices; transact utility services invoices and authorizations.
• Provide information to the public regarding utility services and charges; code and maintain records of utility services and meters.
• Prepare periodic reports and statistical summaries of utility services, meters and related data.
• Sell dog licenses and transit passes; operate cash register to receive payments.
• Prepare new accounts for data entry; issue receipts for miscellaneous collections; prepare funds for deposit to bank.
• Type forms, schedules, reports, lists and general correspondence; file materials into established filing systems.
• Compile information for a variety of statistical reports, devise forms and determine proper format for finished reports; answer questions requiring a thorough understanding of policies, procedures, and laws governing the work.
• Proofread materials for clerical accuracy; operate various office equipment (calculator, computer, printer, copier, etc.); bind and bind various materials; perform related work as required.

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

• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible record‑keeping experience, preferably including experience in a municipality.

• Computer operating methods and office software.
• Applicable state laws, city ordinances, procedures, and other regulations governing the department or area of assigned responsibility.
• 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.
• 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 with…