Accounting Assistant

City of Dothan • Dothan, AL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs technical duties in support of assigned city financial operations. The work consists of related technical duties. Strict regulations and the need for accuracy contribute to the complexity of the position. The purpose of this position is to provide technical support for assigned city accounting operations. Successful performance ensures the efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy of those operations. Contacts are typically with coworkers, other city personnel, vendors, and the public. Contacts are typically to exchange information, resolve problems, and provide services.

Requirements

• Graduation from standard senior high school or GED, as recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• Two (2) years recent work experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or fiscal clerical experience.
• Applicants are required to successfully pass a Data Entry test, with a minimum composite score of 65.
• The Data Entry test will be administered at the time of the application.
• May require the employee be bondable.
• Employees in this position must obtain a Certified Governmental Accounting Technician (CGAT) certification within three (3) years of employment/promotion/demotion/transfer.
• An applicant for this position is subject to various background investigations up to and including a criminal, credit, past employment, and reference checks.
• Employees are required to submit to Drug and Alcohol testing in accordance with the City of Dothan policy, which includes pre-employment and random tests for the duration of employment in this position.
• Must meet the City of Dothan’s employment physical standard, which includes drug/alcohol testing.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a current Certified Governmental Accounting Technician certification (CGAT) preferred.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree or higher in Finance, Accounting, Business, or closely related field from an accredited college or university preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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 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 assign 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED