Accounting Clerk

City of Cape Girardeau•Cape Girardeau, MO

2d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

General Definition of Work Performs work supporting the Finance Department by performing responsible clerical and technical accounting work related to municipal revenue collection, accounts receivable and business licensing administration. This position will also be responsible for processing, recording, updating and reconciling financial data; posting payments; preparing deposits; and assisting with periodic financial reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), municipal code, state status and established internal controls. This position will also be responsible for administering the City’s licensing programs, including business, trade, liquor and other regulatory licenses. Responsibilities include processing applications and renewals, calculating fees, maintaining accurate licensing records, ensuring compliance with municipal codes and state regulations and coordinating with internal departments and external agencies to support lawful business operations within the City. In addition, this position will serve as a receptionist and primary public contact at City Hall providing customer service by greeting visitors, processing payments and providing information on municipal services.

Requirements

Two (2) years of clerical accounting, bookkeeping, or governmental licensing experience preferred. Experience in municipal finance or revenue collection is highly desirable.
Experience with customer service and public-facing administrative work.
Strong knowledge of computerized financial systems and Microsoft Office products.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Experience in municipal governments.

Responsibilities

Validates and processes application materials for license approvals while ensuring program compliance, accuracy of data, coordination with impacted workgroups, analysis of compliance with related municipal codes and timely follow-up communication with customers.
Proactively researches and resolves customer’s questions and concerns. Identifies common pain points to improve education, navigation, access and the overall customer experience.
Provides excellent service to internal and external customers. Demonstrates compassionate communication skills; evaluates issues and potential solutions; helps resolve problems when appropriate; works with managers to address systemic issues; and ensures that others in the city organization receive the necessary licensing-related training and tools to perform their duties effectively.
Maintains accurate financial records and files, ensuring compliance with legal and administrative requirements. Maintains business license database; monitors business license status. Issues renewal notices and keeps accounts of payment and business license taxes.
Serves as receptionist and primary public contact at City Hall by greeting and directing visitors and providing accurate information regarding City business license requirements, applications and procedures.
Performs internal audits and investigations of businesses to ensure compliance and correct payment of taxes. Investigates business license compliance through investigation procedures to include research of fictitious business name filings, telephone directories, newspaper advertisements, sales tax monitoring, and etc.
Reconciles licensing revenue to the general ledger and preforms other month-end closing tasks as instructed.
Prepares daily deposits, balances the Finance cash drawer and verifies deposits from other departments. Reconciles cash, checks and credit card transactions with systems reports. Maintains ledgers, registers, journal/posts and financial data in proper accounts.
Back-up support for Accounts Payable and other finance staff.
Assists the Accounting Manager with annual audit and additional tasks and projects as assigned.

Benefits

Salary per hour $19.52, plus a generous benefit package.
Bi-weekly pay periods.
Thirteen paid holidays per year.
96 hours of vacation – accrued throughout the year.
96 hours of sick leave – accrued throughout the year.
2 days of personal leave per fiscal year. Must be employed on July 1 of the fiscal year to receive.
City paid monthly premiums for health and dental insurance – Employee only.
City paid monthly life insurance for employee only (1 times annual salary up to $50,000).
Optional group term life insurance purchased at employee’s expense.
Optional vision insurance purchased at employee’s expense.
Voluntary deferred compensation plan – not matched by the City.
Retirement (LAGERS) paid by the City.
Missouri LAGERS – A Secure Retirement for All (molagers.org).
Total compensation value (Hourly starting rate plus benefits value) for this position is $29.19 hourly/$60,706 yearly.