(Internal Only) Budget & Finance Department - Accounting Specialist, Senior

County of El Paso•Tx 79901, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Accounting Specialist, Senior is responsible for the accuracy of posting documents to meet reporting responsibilities. This designation is distinguished from the entry Accounting Specialist classification by greater work complexity and a broader range of work activities. As a senior member, makes decisions and is responsible for assisting with scheduling and overseeing the daily operations of the division. This classification typically performs duties at a department or office level. Reports to: Manager. Directs: As directed may provide lead to Support Staff.

Requirements

Associates Certificate or equivalent and four (4) years of experience in bookkeeping or accounting, to include two (2) years clerical type work in an office environment with cash handling experience; with one (1) year of developmental supervisory or managerial experience.
Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
May require Deputy Clerk deputizing; may require AOP certification.
In order to access the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date.
Knowledge of: financial systems, the principles and practices of bookkeeping; related banking operations and practices; of financial record keeping methods, terminology and processes; basic accounting, money handling; the principles and practices of modern office administration ;the principles and practices of effective customer service; principles and practices of supervision and training; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.
Skill/Ability to : perform accurate mathematical calculations; interpret and apply appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations; prepare reports; to post data, balance and reconcile accounts; understand and maintain financial accounting files or other record systems; recognize and correct computational errors; accurately compare, post and transfer numbers; understand transactions in terms of accounting codes and classifications; prepare routine and special financial reports; analytical and problem solving; prepare clear and concise reports type; multitask; time management; learn office standard operating procedures; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; make decisions; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; schedule, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff; be dependable and self-motivate; to deal with the public courteously and effectively; work under stressful conditions, and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; Pass a Criminal Background Check.
Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.
Work well with others and participate fully in a team-oriented environment.
Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner.
Maintain strict confidentiality.
Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times.
Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.

Nice To Haves

This posting is for current El Paso County employees ONLY

Responsibilities

Responsible for the effectiveness of daily functions; plans and coordinates the screening operation of the section: distributes the workload in methods to expedite and meet deadlines.
As directed supervises department employees, including assigning and reviewing work, training, providing input on performance evaluations, and making recommendations on hiring, terminating, and disciplining personnel; Motivates and works with employees to correct deficiencies; Assists with managing the career development and performance of staff assigned.
Meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; Assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
Performs routine clerical and administrative accounting functions that require application of basic standard bookkeeping and accounting theories, principles and techniques, and require the appropriate skill levels including basic skill levels in computer, analytical and communication skills.
Posts accounting documents including payables, journal vouchers, electronic transfers and other documents; ensures documents are complete and have proper approval.
Processes bills for payment; verifies approvals, past due balances, costs, fluctuations, and distribution of payments; resolves payment disputes.
Prepares, updates, and maintains spreadsheets for interface; ensures accuracy of pertinent and account information.
Reconciles simple bank statements, ledger balances and other accounting transactions; maintains a filing system of canceled checks, bank statements and other documentation.
Monitors funds or line-item budget balances and expenditures to ensure budget does not exceed budgeted line items.
Prepares periodic reports reflecting receipts, disbursements, ledger balances and other accounting transactions; collects, analyzes and summarizes accounting information.
Audits and prepares reports.
Maintains purchase order and invoice filing systems; as directed maintains filing systems for contracts.
Responds to vendor and other inquiries via phone, e-mail or in-person.
Reviews, researches, and reconciles vendor statements to determine account status; processes payments as needed.
Performs special projects; responds to open records requests.
Maintains a log for checks returned by mail; corrects files accordingly.
Re-verifies data entry postings for accuracy.
Researches accounts for discrepancies.
May assist in the development and improvement of department procedures.
Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions.
Accepts receipts and cash delivered by armored car from satellite offices; provides distribution to appropriate personnel; Verifies the balancing of daily receipts to cash; verifies credit card receipts to credit card batch summary totals; compiles daily receipts for all County offices and contracted offices; reconciles daily receipts and total cash to a summary report; Prepares daily deposits for satellite and contracted offices; records data on log sheets.
As needed verifies cash advances to offices; may provide sales tax payments to the state Comptroller’s Office; Prepares reports regarding fees collected; posts fees; issues refund checks; posts information regarding returned checks and returned check fees.
Ensures compliance is met on grant funds.
May specialize in collection of delinquent court fines and fees, including receiving payments, determining appropriate accounts to apply payment, posting monies to accounts and tracking in automated system, communicating basic information to clients, preparing and sending collections correspondence, and compiling daily collections reports for supervisory review.
Executes wire transfer slips or prepares and submits deposits; verifies completion of funds transactions to appropriate entity.
May prepare purchase order or check to vendor, call vendors for quotes, enter requisitions, and receive items into the financial system.
May also include interviewing and communicating with defendants regarding financial status, calculating fees and investigating, evaluating and verifying applications for extension of time for payment of fines and/or court costs; May negotiate and grant or deny an application based on defendant's financial resources; May determine a payment schedule if an extension of time for payment is granted, distribute applications for extension of time for payment, establish and maintain a system for reviewing delinquency, monitor delinquent accounts, contact defendants regarding delinquent accounts and process for non-compliance. May issue and mail notices on delinquent accounts; May prepare reports on delinquent accounts and other relevant information and submit for review and required action. May request that warrants be prepared based on court orders.
May process and/or audit payroll, travel, or other administrative accounting transactions; May process funds for State agencies and disbursements for outside jurisdictions.
Maintains accounting controls and financial security by following policies and procedures and internal controls.
Prepares advance travel expenditure vouchers; updates travel expenditure spreadsheet; ensures accuracy of information.
As directed orders and maintains office supplies; maintains supply room.
Ensure that payees are provided a 1099 form in accordance with IRS guidelines and maintain a running list of these 1099’s for proper accountability.
Obtains signatures on forms submitted to agencies.
Researches cases on orders to invest or release funds from bank accounts; ensures accuracy.
Researches cases and ensures that the court costs are accurate and applies correct payment; Mails notices; informs parties of funds; obtains court orders to disburse funds to appropriate party.
Researches and reports competitive interest rates.
Interprets orders set by the Court.
Provides input to the department budget; gathers data for expenditures; forecasts for departments new fiscal year; analyzes and prepares quotes for contracts and expenditures by department.
Substitutes, if assigned, for immediate supervisor or coworkers during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations.
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts.
Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.