Accounting Specialist II - County Clerk's Office

We are currently hiring for two Accounting Specialist II positions.  One incumbent will work with Accounts Payable and tax levies.

 The second incumbent will provide backup support to the Payroll Specialist and will be responsible for benefit payments and reconciliation.  ADP experience highly desirable for this role.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs technical and administrative accounting functions relative to the County's account payables/claims, bank reconciliation, tax levies, Clerk banking records and fixed assets management. Performs a variety of advanced accounting and payroll functions.

Responsible for administering, coordinating and implementing the accounting process and procedures for the County's accounts payables, payroll and account reconciliation. Work with departments to compile accurate data, financial reports and prepare and submit the final documents and reports to the County Board within established guidelines and timelines.

Provide technical accounting support to departments, including the accounts payable, general ledger accounting, account reconciliation, payroll processing, benefits updates, levies and 1099 processing

Perform a variety of advanced benefit payroll accounting functions. Oversee County benefit payments, changes (Pension, 457, 401(a), Health/Dental, COBRA/Retiree, etc.) and maintain necessary vendor relationships and compliance with benefit providers.

Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures relating to accounting, payroll, fixed assets and other software updates or required by accounting standards, action of the County Board and/or state and federal agencies when required.

Ensures the accuracy of accounts for the Clerk/ROD's Office Internal Controls, as well as identifying areas where activities could reduce cost to the County while strengthening procedures.

Work within a team of coworkers to balance priorities, meet deadlines, share the workload and provide information and training support.

Assure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget and that budgeted funds, personnel and time are proficiently used.

Enforce integrity of accounting and payroll procedures.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, coworkers, supervisors,

officials, department heads, law enforcement, attorneys, judges, vendors, other agencies and the general public.

Process incoming payments by check, credit card, and EFT.

Ability to work independently and prioritize work to completion.

Prepare and distribute annual IRS and 1099 forms.

Ensure compliance with internal accounting procedures.

Maintain accurate records, including ledgers, journals, receipts, and invoices.

Make journal entries to balance in general ledger, revenue and expense accounts

Develop and maintain reports and files on the Accounts Payable processes.

Develop and maintain reports and files on asset and liability account balances.

Develop and maintain regular reports via the county's accounting system.

Assist in the preparation of the clerk/records/ROD budget preparation.

Recommend actions to identify and stop misuse of funds.

Maintain accounts by recording, identifying and verifying financial transactions following internal accounting procedures and policies to ensure financial security.

Assist with reconciliation of funds and provides information to Clerk/ROD, Chief Deputy County Clerk/ROD and/or CFO as requested.

Compile and record data and details of financial transactions in appropriate ledgers or other data entry devices utilizing standard bookkeeping principles and departmental operating procedures as a guide.

Maintain current knowledge of applicable county, state, and federal regulations affecting accounting departmental activities

Maintain the County inventories (fixed assets) with departments and officials to provide accounting data

Represent the Clerk/ROD when interacting with the public and answer questions; respond to inquiries from employees, customers and others and refers, when necessary, to appropriate persons

Peripheral Duties

Perform additional duties or assists staff when needed.

Keeps current with regulatory and professional advances.

Coordinate and compile data for special projects as assigned.

Serve as a member of various committees as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• 5 years of general accounting experience

• 3-5 years of experience working with public sector payroll, accounts payable, tax documentation and payroll

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field preferred

• Experience with ERP software suite enterprise ERP previously MUNIS-Tyler Tech - public sector software

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Financial reporting and analysis (MUNIS ERP software platforms).

Financial statements and payroll tax reporting software (ADP Tax and 1099 requirements).

Account reconciliation (Quicken and/or Quickbooks).

Proficient with Microsoft Office

Ability to maintain and protect confidential and sensitive information

Compliance software (TIN and FIRE verification).

Spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets).

Database reporting software (MUNIS and ADP Report Writer, SAP Crystal Reports).

Requires broad conceptual knowledge and ability to analyze multiple, complex accounting functions.

Public sector knowledge of accounting/budgeting principles and practices.

Knowledge of applicable county policies, laws, and regulations affecting department activities.

Strong written and oral communication with organization and attention to detail.

Analytical and problem solving skills with time management.

Systems analysis with mathematical and deductive reasoning.

Critical thinking along with active learning

Ability to plan and organize with skill in compiling and interpreting statistical data

Ability to operate equipment and software including, but not limited to MUNIS Accounting, ADP

Payroll, word processing, PowerPoint, RIM software, and data configuration software, multiline phone, computer, printer, scanner, copier.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit/remain stationary, talk, and hear (i.e. communicate / exchange information), and operate/manipulate equipment (e.g. use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls).  The employee is occasionally required to walk/move about, stand (i.e. remain upright), stoop, bend, climb, kneel (i.e. position self), and reach.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, and smell.  Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close and color vision as well as the ability to adjust focus.

  Communication abilities include the ability to talk (i.e. verbal exchange / exchange information) and hear (i.e. exchange information accurately) within normal ranges.  Incumbent must be able to exert sustained concentration for several hours at a time.

Work is performed indoors in an office setting.  Work hours may include evenings, weekends, call-ins, and holidays.

  Work may be fast-paced when dealing with multiple priorities and time constraints.  The noise level is typically moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, reference checks, successful completion of a national criminal background check, successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, and other job related tests or checks as may be required.

DISCLAIMER

The job description is current as of the date signed.  Any omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if they are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.