Finance Technician II

City of Arlington, Washington•Arlington, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs a broad range of advanced technical finance duties with minimal supervision, including preparing, processing, reconciling, and maintaining accounting, budget, billing, and other fiscal records. This classification carries a higher level of responsibility and complexity than lower-level positions in the series. Employees may be assigned to a primary functional area, such as accounts payable or accounts receivable, but are expected to support other finance functions as needed. Sound judgment and accuracy are essential to avoid errors that could negatively affect the City’s financial condition, compliance, or public trust. All required technical skills, proficiency, qualifications, and job knowledge for this classification must be satisfied and reflected in the employee’s annual performance appraisal prior to any advancement. Work is performed indoors in an office environment, utilizing computers and peripherals, computer software, copy machine, facsimile machine, calculator, cash drawer, postage meter, and telephones. May occasionally require use of a City vehicle to perform errands between locations (other departments, bank, post office, etc.). Note: Interviews will happen throughout recruitment.

Requirements

Knowledge of advanced office practices and procedures and ability to learn any new programs or equipment obtained by the City.
Knowledge of cash-based accounting practices as directed by State Auditor BARS manual.
Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other City employees, citizen groups, elected officials, and the public in general.
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and independently perform work assignments with infrequent supervision.
Ability to work accurately and efficiently under pressure with frequent interruptions and occasionally under competing requests.
Ability to coordinate activities with other departments and work groups to provide a comprehensive service while presenting a positive image of the department and City.
Ability to maintain sustained attention to detail and work under the pressure of strict guidelines.
Ability to keep up to date with new and changing guidelines and implementation as necessary.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to meet strict deadlines and timelines.
Requires standard arithmetic ability to add, subtract, multiple and divide; ability to utilize decimals and percentages; and the ability to reconcile numbers.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in both standard situations and in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Requires visual and manual dexterity to operate computers and other standard office equipment.
Typing speed of 40 wpm.
Requires enough physical ability to sit for prolonged periods of time and occasionally lift approximately twenty pounds, bend and reach.
Must be skilled in the ability to read, analyze, and interpret government regulations; write reports and procedure manuals; communicate effectively and be able to present information and respond to questions from managers, vendors, customers and the general public.
Must have ability to speak, write and understand the English language.
High school diploma or GED.
Must be U.S. Citizen or legally eligible to work in the United States.
Two (2) years’ experience in customer service and cash handling.
Valid Washington State Driver’s License and driving record acceptable to the City.
Successfully pass background check.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in accounts receivable preferred, preferably in municipal government.

Responsibilities

Able to perform job functions of Finance Technician I.
Process transactions while adhering to current practices prescribed by State, Federal and local law; the Washington State Auditor; the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor & Industries; as well as City policy.
Receive, verify and analyze data; obtain signatures and budget coding; perform account maintenance; post data into computerized system; prepare reports.
Develop spreadsheets on specific accounts in order to reconcile invoices and statements.
Provide budget information or other account information to Department Managers and other staff as needed.
Provide primary telephone and reception counter assistance.
Assist in preparing special reports or projects requiring research, interpretation or analysis of statistical data.
May be required to develop spreadsheets to track receipts and expenditures related to donations, drug seizure funds or other special revenue items.
Track and verify the accuracy of the calculations for any monthly, quarterly, and annual payments of gambling and utility taxes and other fees.
Follow-up on delinquent accounts as required.
Perform monthly utility billing for all water, sewer and stormwater accounts.
Receive and process cut in/cut out requests for establishing and/or ending utility services.
Process and monitor utility payment arrangements and discounted utility rate applications.
Prepare reports for meter reading by downloading information from handheld instruments, creating route reports and providing to the public works department.
Prepare and maintain monthly billing reports and serve as back up to other technicians that may perform billing functions.
Initiate the shut-off process and coordinate with the public works department.
Review account balances for delinquent accounts, send late notices and follow city policy in the collection of those accounts.
Process refunds, account adjustments and write-offs in accordance with city policy.
Assist with the development and update of city utility billing policies, procedures, rates and programs.
Prepare mail and track payments for miscellaneous billings.