Accounting Technician

ABOUT THE POSITION AND OUR AGENCY

The City of Carpinteria is accepting applications for

Accounting Technician

Open Continuous. Deadline for first review of applications: April 4, 2024.

Tentative Interview Date: April 11, 2024

Are you a self-starter who thrives when working effectively both independently and as part of a dynamic team? Are you excited to join a City that values diversity, equity, and inclusion? If so, the City of Carpinteria may have an opportunity for you as the next Accounting Technician!

Position Purpose

Under general supervision, assists Finance staff with various accounting duties in the preparation and maintenance of financial records and reports, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, and business licenses. Performs a variety of technical tasks related to assigned areas of responsibilities and performs related duties as assigned. The primary focus of the current vacancy is bi-weekly payroll processing.

About the City of Carpinteria

Incorporated in 1965, the City of Carpinteria is an inviting seaside community with an abundance of natural beauty and small-town charm. Located in Santa Barbara County adjacent to Highway 101, the City is located 12 miles south of Santa Barbara, CA, 12 miles north of Ventura, CA and 80 miles north of Los Angeles, CA.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

Include but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for payroll, accounting work, and maintenance of the City's payroll activities; processing bi-weekly payroll for employees with related benefits and deductions; reviewing and entering payroll data and issuing paychecks and electronic payroll deposits; maintaining payroll accounts, files, and records; responding to inquiries from employees; preparing bi-weekly CalPERS retirement, deferred compensation, and payroll taxes; learning union work rules and FLSA compliance; reconciling invoices from employee benefits providers against payroll records.

• Perform complex professional accounting duties including analysis, preparation, and maintenance of financial records and reports; assist with research and preparation of accurate and timely financial reports for City management, governmental bodies, and the public.

• Prepare special reports and schedules required by auditors and other City departments. Perform complex and technical accounting work to maintain records of revenues, such as Transient Occupancy Tax and Business License payments. Receive and process cash receipts, prepare bank deposits, and resolve related discrepancies.

• Perform a variety of responsible and moderately difficult purchasing support functions, ensuring department's compliance with the City's Purchasing Policy, including receipt, review and process of purchase orders and encumbrances; ensure timely updates to the city-wide policy and maintain contract, purchase orders, and requisition files.

• Assist in maintaining the capital asset database, including preparing journal entries, recording purchases, and reconciling every quarter.

• Assist with special projects, including assistance the annual budget and financial reports.

• Act as a backup for the weekly accounts payable process, reviewing for budget availability and proper approvals, expensing to appropriate funding sources, and posting to the general ledger while examining and correcting accounting transactions to ensure accuracy.

• Provide internal customer support by providing fiscal information, pulling payable and project reports, explaining procedures, and answering questions.

• Prepare a variety of routine fiscal reports, statements, and schedules; prepare new year, mid-year, and year end reports.

• Perform a variety of general clerical duties including typing, maintaining files and records, and ordering and distributing supplies.

• Assist with printing and mailing of business licenses and filing of applications, as well as the annual renewal process.

• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

• Associate degree supplemented by additional coursework in Finance, Business, Accounting, Public Administration or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible accounting experience preferable in a governmental agency.

• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel.

License(s)/Certification(s):

• All licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of employment.

• A valid appropriate California driver's license may be required.

• Maintain a satisfactory driving record.

The following are a representative sample of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities necessary to perform essential duties of the position:

Knowledge:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to payroll administration.

• Financial systems, governmental finance and budgets.

• Municipal purchasing principles, methods and procedures.

• Principles and practices of research and statistical procedures and techniques.

• Principles and practices of financial computer software and automated financial systems.

• Organizational skills as applied to analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs, programs and/or project alternatives.

Skills/Abilities

• Independently perform, analyze data to draw logical conclusions and make sound recommendations related to assigned accounting functions

• Understand, interpret, and apply the fundamental principles of accounting, related City policies, and procedures.

• Understand and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

• Reconcile differences within the financial record-keeping systems requiring an understanding of the relationship among accounting records and documents and automated financial systems.

• Operate a computer and create/maintain Excel worksheets, manual and computerized financial reports, and maintain ledgers and journals.

• Work on multiple concurrent projects with strict deadlines and with frequent interruptions

• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel (basic to intermediate level).

• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with those contacted in the course of work.

SELECTION PROCESS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS:

APPLY BY APRIL 4, 2024, AT 11:59 PM PST

TENTATIVE INTERVIEW DATE: APRIL 11, 2024

Applications must be submitted online through Government Jobs.com

(www.GovernmentJobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca)

Materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Incomplete, late, emailed, and faxed applications are not accepted. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required employment application.

Please be sure to review the complete job description (Click here: Accounting Technician Job Description).

Certificates, resumes, and/or cover letters must be uploaded with your application through this applicant tracking system. Statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list, or discharge from employment.

All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and assessed for each applicant's ability to meet the minimum work experience, training, and education qualifications. Those candidates whose skills and abilities best meet the needs of the department will be invited to move to the next step in the recruitment process.

The City of Carpinteria offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, deferred compensation, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-/short-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page:

Summary of FT Benefits

01

Instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire: The application and supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility and to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the job experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate "see resume" are considered incomplete. By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read these instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire and in accordance with these instructions. Additionally, I certify that my application and supplemental answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and I understand that my responses are subject to verification.

• Yes

• No

02

Which of the following best describes your skill level of Microsoft Excel?

• Basic (navigate; data entry; editing text, values, and formulas; apply formatting techniques; saving files in various formats; creating tables; sorting data; move and copy data and formulas; work with ranges, rows, and columns; create and modify charts, and work with graphics; and review workbooks for spelling errors, modify page setup, and print worksheets).

• Intermediate (use multiple worksheets and workbooks efficiently; linking workbooks; applying special number formats, using workbook styles and themes, adding backgrounds, and mimicking watermarks; create outlines and subtotals; sort and filter data, and create and format tables; insert and edit hyperlinks, and how to share workbooks; protect worksheets; and audit worksheets for errors).

• Advanced (use pivot tables; use of advanced functions and formulas, such as VLOOKUP, MATCH, and INDEX; data validation, and advanced data filtering; advanced chart formatting options; export and import data, and query external databases; and run and record macros, and explore VBA code).

• None

03

How many years of (full-time equivalent) experience do you have in performing business, accounting, and/or finance duties?

• None

• Less than 1 year of experience

• At least 1 year of experience but less than 2 years

• At least 2 years of experience but less than 3 years

• At least 3 years of experience but less than 4 years

• 4 or more years of experience

04

Please describe your experience performing payroll, financial, and/or statistical record keeping duties. In your response, include name(s) of employer(s), dates of employment, and duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A."

05

The City uses Tyler Incode 10 financial system. Describe your experience with using this system or a similar financial system. In your response, include name(s) of employer(s) and dates of employment where you obtained this experience.

Required Question

Agency City of Carpinteria

Address 5775 Carpinteria Avenue

Carpinteria, California, 93013

Phone (805) 684-5405

Website https://carpinteriaca.gov