Principal Account Clerk

Lewis County•Lewis County Human Services Building, NY

About The Position

This is highly important account-keeping work involving responsibility for planning and overseeing complex account-keeping activities and independently performing the most important phases of the work. The position may supervise lower-level account-keeping or clerical workers and performs duties in accordance with policies and procedures established by the County Treasurer. Lewis County is recruiting simultaneously for Principal Account Clerk and Senior Account Clerk titles as alternative appointment options for the same vacancy. The final appointment title and level will depend on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, assigned duties, and the County’s organizational needs, and is subject to the minimum qualifications and applicable Civil Service requirements. Applicants must also register for the Principal Account Clerk Exam by submitting a separate exam application by close of business on November 18, 2026.

Requirements

Promotion route: Two years of permanent full-time competitive status as a Senior Account Clerk.
Open-competitive route A: Associate’s degree or higher in accounting, business management, or business administration from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university, and three years of experience maintaining financial accounts and records.
Open-competitive route B: High school graduation and five years of experience maintaining financial accounts and records.
Open-competitive route C: An equivalent combination of experience and training within the limits of routes A and B.
Thorough knowledge of modern methods used to keep and check financial records and reports.
Thorough knowledge of office terminology, procedures, and equipment.
Thorough knowledge of business English.
Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of account-keeping and clerical assistants.
Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written directions.
Ability to make arithmetic computations rapidly and accurately.
Ability to prepare correspondence and reports.
Ability to secure the cooperation of others and deal effectively with the public.
Ability to readily acquire familiarity with departmental organization, functions, laws, policies, and regulations.
Good judgment in solving complex account-keeping problems; a high degree of accuracy, initiative, and resourcefulness; tact and courtesy; integrity; and physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
Applicants must submit a separate application to register for the Principal Account Clerk Exam by close of business on November 18, 2026.

Responsibilities

Plan, assign, and review the maintenance and checking of a wide variety of financial records and reports, and instruct employees in specialized details of the work.
Oversee and assist with classifying varied receipts and expenditures and distributing costs according to prescribed codes.
Direct audits of accounts, claims, and records and the preparation of reports on them.
Compile, prepare, and analyze complex financial and statistical records and reports.
Assist in preparing annual operating budgets and ensure necessary financial controls are maintained.
Receive and account for large amounts of money paid for bills, taxes, and related obligations.
Revise, systematize, and install account-keeping methods and procedures.
Reconcile revenue ledgers with bank statements.
May supervise the preparation of purchase orders and the securing of vendor bids.
Conduct correspondence related to financial matters.