Senior Accounting Technician

City of Bainbridge Island•Bainbridge Island, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Department is seeking a Senior Accounting Technician to join the team, a group of 10 employees providing a wide range of support for administration and general financial reporting. The department provides services to residents, such as business licensing and utility billing, and to the City’s five operating departments. This position focuses primarily on utility billing, coordinating monthly billing for 5400 total water and sewer connections while providing excellent customer service. The ideal candidate will have: Experience with utility billing, customer service, and/or collections, with strong attention to detail; The ability to clearly explain information, resolve issues, and provide professional, responsive service to customers; The ability to maintain accurate financial records and ensure compliance with City policies and procedures; and Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while supporting reliable utility services for the community. Familiarity with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, is expected. Candidates may be invited to complete an online exam utilizing Microsoft Office programs. The Senior Accounting Technician performs and coordinates specialized City-wide finance and accounting functions for areas such as accounts payable/fixed assets, utilities/accounts receivable, or other matters. Responsibilities vary depending on assignments and business cycles.

Requirements

An associate's degree in business administration or related field and three years of accounting or other financial experience are preferred.
Public sector experience is highly desirable.
Any combination of experience, education and training which provides the level of knowledge and ability required may be substituted.
Knowledge of: City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
Mathematic principles and practices of moderate complexity.
General accounting functions and practices in accordance with established regulations and standards.
Accounts receivable, cash receipting, purchasing and/or accounts payable financial systems and processes (depending on assignments).
Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers and computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets and statistical databases.
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and principles of business correspondence.
State Budgeting Accounting & Reporting System (BARS) for public sector financial management.
Financial record keeping practices, filing systems and document retention.
Research methods and report preparation.
Ability to: Effectively perform the full range of specialty area accounting functions such as those involving utility billing, accounts receivable or accounts payable.
Plan and organize time and work to meet deadlines.
Demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Perform, review and verify a variety of mathematical calculations, maintain accurate records, enter data into a computer system, and review and monitor accounting documents.
Listen to and work with external and internal customers, colleagues and other persons to troubleshoot problems and solve a wide variety of technical and customer-related issues.
Support and model the identified vision, values and behaviors of the organization.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
Operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialized software.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with utility billing, customer service, and/or collections, with strong attention to detail
The ability to clearly explain information, resolve issues, and provide professional, responsive service to customers
The ability to maintain accurate financial records and ensure compliance with City policies and procedures
Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while supporting reliable utility services for the community
Familiarity with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
Public sector experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Processes and posts transactions and accounting entries, including accounts payable, revenue, accounts receivable, payments, bank deposits and special fund accounting; reviews and validates data; reconciles accounts.
Reviews source documents for compliance with rules and regulations; determines proper handling of accounting and technical transactions within designated limits; validates accuracy of data entry and researches and reports discrepancies and inconsistencies.
Plans day-to-day utility, accounts receivable or accounts payable functions and project assignments with colleagues and supervisors, attends meetings and sets and maintains day-to-day workloads and priorities.
Communicates with customers, the public and/or coworkers orally or in writing.
Performs and coordinates account balancing, reconciliation, and other proofing, audit and control functions, and follows up on matters requiring further attention.
Staffs City front desk as needed; receipts payments via in person, by check, and electronic payment channels; prepares bank deposits.
Provides direct customer service in person and over the phone.
Assists with budget and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) preparation and accounting reports as needed.
Cross-trains in a wide variety of technical accounting duties; assists with the training and cross-training of co-workers.
Functions as part of the overall department team to accomplish work of the department.
Maintains timely and regular attendance.
Other duties as assigned.