Accounting Technician

The City of Grand Forks is accepting applications for a full-time, classified Accounting Technician in the Finance department that will perform technical and paraprofessional accounting for utility billing. A qualified candidate possesses three years of increasingly responsible accounting or bookkeeping experience and the equivalent of an Associate degree in accounting or a related field.  Apply online at www.grandforksgov.com an by 5PM, Monday, April 1, 2019.   EEO Employer.

ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.  Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform technical and paraprofessional accounting activities; to prepare and maintain a variety of financial records, reports and documents; and to perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from higher level accounting staff. 

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Essential Functions:

1. Process billing and receivables; receive billing information from various departments; verify data and input into computer system; maintain and update master files; post invoices to accounts receivable and general ledger; process adjustments.

2. Prepare billing and collection statements; monitor past due accounts; arrange payment schedules as needed; receive and process payments.

3. Review, audit and reconcile accounts receivable and payables; provide necessary corrections; document changes; post purchase orders; create journal entries; perform general ledger maintenance as needed.

4. Enter data on a computer from various sources including accounting, statistical and related documents; input corrections and updates; verify data for accuracy and completeness; assist in the compilation of reports.

5. Balance check runs, prepare and process accounts payable checks, prepare, process and distribute vendor checks; Participate in a variety of record keeping activities, investigate discrepancies and prepare reports.

6. Process payroll as necessary; perform data entry and report generation.

7. Code invoices and expenses; analyze and review budget of projects; prepare and make cash deposits; perform statement reconciliation; collect payments; perform vendor file maintenance.

8. Answer questions as appropriate within assigned area of responsibility; provide fiscal information and explain procedures; resolve customer complaints in courteous manner.

9. Implement and maintain a records management system within the department.

10. Set up various financial projects and perform cash flow analysis; perform revenue and expense analysis; perform account reconciliation and journal entry maintenance.

11. Provide internal and external financial reporting as necessary. 

Marginal Functions:

1. Assist in a variety of operations and special projects as required.

2. Answer the telephone; refer callers to appropriate personnel.

3. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Knowledge: Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment; Principles and procedures of basic accounting; Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting; Basic mathematical principles; Preparation of legal documents; Business letter writing and basic report preparation techniques; Principles and procedures of record keeping; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; Methods and techniques of minute taking and preparation; Organization, procedures and operating details of assigned division or section; Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and ordinances.

Skills:  Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communication with others; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Abilities: Perform a variety of accounting activities relative to assigned area; Perform a variety of complex financial record keeping; Make arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately; Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; Independently prepare correspondence and memoranda; Take and transcribe dictation; Type at a speed necessary for successful for job performance; Maintain confidential records and reports; Work independently in the absence of supervision; Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications; Understand and follow oral and written instructions; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible accounting or bookkeeping experience.

Training: Equivalent to an Associate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or a related field.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental and Physical Conditions: Office environment; exposure to computer screens; Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for light to moderate lifting and carrying; sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting of heavy boxes, mail containers and bus receipts vaults.

Assignment Description:

In addition to the duties above when assigned to utility billing:

Will perform clerical accounting and bookkeeping work including utility billing and collection; accounts payable and purchase order processing; to receive and process all incoming City funds; and to provide administrative support to the Finance & Administrative Services Department.

1. Perform all duties related to utility billing function; audit meter books, establish new accounts and services, set-up and coordinate billing schedule and special meter readings, update billing records, investigate exceptions, communicate billing information to customers, prepare and enter adjustments to monthly billing, prepare utility bills and verify and balance various month end reports.

2. Process and maintain automatic withdrawal information for customers; process and post customer payments; prepare and send shut-off notices to delinquent customer accounts in accordance with City code and department policy; maintain files on collection efforts on delinquent accounts; determine accounts to be special assessed, written off or referred to collection agency.

3. Prepare and maintain a variety of financial reports on services, adjustments, outstanding accounts and related items.

4. Coordinate accounts payable; receive and audit all invoices for City departments; post accounts payable checks to general ledger; maintain cash disbursements journal; prepare and file Form 1099.

5. Perform a variety of clerical duties; receive, sort and distribute mail; provide assistance to customers and the general public; screen office callers and route to appropriate personnel.

In addition to the duties above when assigned to Planning and Community Development: Process payroll for Planning and Community Development employees; maintain employee records; compile information for tax liability; Perform rent collection.