Accounting Assistant

This position performs technical duties in support of assigned city financial operations.

• Processes and approves accounts payable invoices for payment; reviews vendor statements monthly to ensure proper processing by departments.
• Completes vendor credit applications as requested by departments to establish payment terms; assists in maintaining the financial system for vendor set-up; enters new and updates existing vendor information.
• Processes and approves purchasing card transactions.
• Posts monthly interest and fees generated by bank accounts to the general ledger; balances bank statements.
• Balances daily reports to copies of deposit slips received from department as assigned.
• Enters monthly appropriations designated by the City Commission to fund agency requests as assigned.
• Coordinates with buyers of auctioned items to provide receipts, etc. as assigned.
• Maintains record of vehicle titles as assigned; ensures titles are filed under correct departments; returns disposed of vehicle titles to Fleet Division for sale by auction.
• Generates and maintains accounts payable group to balance various reports/invoices for Municipal Court as assigned.
• Assists in the management of fixed assets as assigned; compares items delivered to invoices; documents serial numbers, dates purchased and received, location, etc. and assigns city identification number; completes related reports and maintains records.
• Maintains travel expense reports as assigned; collects data on cash expenditures for 1099 reports; scans and maintains related files.
• Researches business tax payment activity to ensure compliance.
• Processes utility bills and work orders and reconciles prepay accounts.
• Researches billing errors and performs analysis of utility accounts.
• Exchanges information with other departments to resolve discrepancies in utility accounts.
• Performs adjustments to utility accounts related to water leaks, pool fills, debt collection, garbage exemption, and returned items.
• Researches and collects delinquent utility accounts, including submission of debt to third‑party collection agencies.
• Procures warrants as deemed necessary for theft of utility services and collection of returned items.
• Manages and tracks bankruptcy accounts to ensure applicable laws are followed.
• Performs nightly payment balancing to submit end‑of‑day processing and reporting.
• Performs the setup of new City of Dothan utility accounts for interdepartmental billing by assigning the correct department, receivable codes, expense account, and payable account. Processes interdepartmental bills twice monthly ensuring accounts are charged timely and correctly.
• Coordinates with external utility assistance agencies to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Assists Customer Service Representatives with daily utility workflow and aids in resolving escalated customer inquiries.
• Performs related duties.

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines.
• Knowledge of accounts payable and receivable principles.
• Knowledge of general ledger accounting principles.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, city policies, and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of computers and job‑related software programs.
• Knowledge of collection and bankruptcy best practices.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Skill in prioritizing and planning.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

The Accounting Manager and Utility Collections Manager assign work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot‑checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the results.

Guidelines include GAAP, GASB guidelines, internal control procedures, relevant state and federal laws, purchasing procedures, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

• The work consists of related technical duties. Strict…