Financial Specialist IV

Yakima County•Yakima, WA

4d•$27 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

Yakima County Government's mission is to provide accessible, responsive, and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs. The Yakima County Treasurer's Office is recruiting to fill a Financial Specialist IV position. This position is responsible for performing professional-level accounting activities, including all Outside Districts' daily Warrant Issue and balancing, Accounts Receivable and Payable, and analytical research. A Word and Excel exercise will be part of the interview process.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED
Five (5) years general accounting / banking services experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
Successful completion of a financial history background check and general employment verification.
Computerized cashiering experience
General knowledge of property tax principals
Awareness of Internal Control issues, segregation of duties, and methods to safeguard public assets.
Preparing and processing documents related to assignment area function
Tracking cash issues
Analyzing financial information and preparing sound financial recommendations
Preparing complex financial reports and statements
Reviewing and auditing of accounting information
Paying attention to detail and accuracy in a multi-tasking environment
Performing a variety of technical calculations for auditing and invoicing
Using office equipment such as phones, copies, calculators and fax machines
Using a personal computer and related software applications
Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with County and other officials, at all organizational levels and with the public.
Communication, both oral and written, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give or receive work direction.

Nice To Haves

Microsoft Excel and Word education/training is recommended at entry.
Associate degree or two-year technical certificate in Accounting and Finance

Responsibilities

Audit, process, and approve Warrant Issue Registers for Yakima County Outside Districts, Yakima County Claims and Payroll, and Yakima County School Districts.
Maintain an accurate daily accounting of individual district funds in reference to Warrants Issue requests.
Analyze and approve Cash availability for coverage of Warrant Issue for all Yakima County Departments and Outside Reporting Districts.
Verify, process, and approve Void and Cancelled warrants.
Create daily Warrant Issue, Void/Cancel, and Outstanding reports.
Verify Board Authorized signatures for Warrant issue and Investment requests.
Balance monthly Warrant Issue, Warrant Redemption, and Warrants Outstanding against the Yakima County Treasurer’s Ascend System to the Yakima County General Ledger.
Create and maintain Yakima County School District spreadsheets for audit and analyzing daily and monthly account activity.
Record and audit the Apportionment from the State, District deposits, Payroll Direct Deposit, Warrant Issue for Accounts Payable and Payroll, Void and Cancelled Warrants, Investment Purchases and Withdrawals, and any incoming Monies from local, State, and Federal agencies, and prepare the journal entries for School Payroll.
Compile reports and data to report Property Taxes and Investment Earnings to the Yakima County School Districts.
Verify Principal and Interest payments for School Bond activity as reported by the Fiscal Agent.
Prepare and submit State required Financial reports (OSPI F-197) for each School District.
Perform accounts payable activities, including verifying submitted invoices for accuracy and procedural compliance, calculating payments, and ensuring correct account assignment.
Reconcile monthly Bank Fee Analysis for the purpose of verifying appropriate bank fees to be paid by the Yakima County Treasurer.
Process “Tax Record Adjustments” to reallocate funds as dictated by State Law(s).
Reapply payments for Tax Record Adjustments and Property Tax payments.
Verify that Statutory Interest has been properly calculated according to State Law(s).
Prepare and print Treasurer’s refund checks for Treasurer’s signature.
Ensure that payment of delinquent property taxes and/or accounts are paid as the customer requested or in the best interest of the taxpayer.
Prepare and monitor Unclaimed Property (Treasurer Checks) according to guidelines set by State Law(s).
Receive, audit, and verify property tax payments from the general public either in person or through the mail and process payment through computerized cashiering system to provide printed receipt to customer.
Ascertain appropriate tender (check, money order, or cash); verify certain currency to reduce loss by counterfeit.
Calculate appropriate change.
Respond to taxpayers’ questions and provide payment advice.
Maintain security at all times in the secured area for cashiering activities in the Treasurer’s Office, including cash drawers, contents of Safe, and daily deposit(s) to the bank, and ensure appropriate personnel are present.
Balance all cashiers’ daily deposits for the bank to the accounting system for verification and accuracy.
Create reports of all cashiers’ deposits, which is used for investment activity and balancing to bank records.
Audit, verify, and compile monthly collection reports for the Cities and State Treasurers by compiling financial data from various accounting systems.
Track General Ledger city and state liability accounts to ensure accurate remittance to City and State Treasurers.
Understand State guidelines to ensure property taxes are correctly reported.
Prepare journal entries to disburse funds to be remitted to the cities and state, to be completed by deadlines set by the State.
Process property tax payments through a Payment Processing system which scans the payment stubs and checks.
Audit and ensure the payment processing image of negotiable items meets Check 21 standards.
Balance multiple parcel pays and edit payments through the Acuracy system.
Perform other accounting duties as required.
Must be cross-trained in multiple positions based on internal controls.