Account Clerk I/II

Butte County; Oroville, Chico (CA, CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Butte County seeks Entry- and Journey-level Account Clerk professionals to support fiscal, accounting, and clerical duties. The role encompasses posting and balancing accounts, handling payments, and maintaining financial records in a county department context.

Positions require basic accounting knowledge, data entry accuracy, and strong customer service skills. Training and experience evaluation may impact ranking; the non-exempt status aligns with standard county payroll practices.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of fiscal and accounting document processing and recordkeeping.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data accurately.
• Understanding of basic financial and statistical techniques.
• Familiarity with customer service principles.

Responsibilities

• Perform fiscal, financial, statistical, and accounting recordkeeping tasks.
• Assist customers and departments with account information and discrepancies.
• Maintain ledgers, journals, and reports; reconcile transactions as directed.
• Handle general office duties and support tasks as assigned.

Skills

Accounting terminology

Data entry

Financial reporting

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

California Driver's License

Tools

Office software

Calculator

Job description

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027.

The current vacancy is in the Department of Public Works.

The eligibility list created from this recruitment may be used to fill any current or future vacancies in ANY Butte County Department.

This recruitment is for Level I and Level II.

The salary range for level I is $1,454.40 - $1,949.60 biweekly ($18.18 - $24.37 per hour).

The salary range for level II is $1,607.20 - $2,152.80 biweekly ($20.09 - $26.91 per hour).

Note: A training and experience evaluation may be utilized to determine an applicant's ranking among qualified candidates. Based upon information provided in this application including responses to supplemental questions, an applicant's education, training and experience (full-time equivalent) may be evaluated. Applicants should provide thoughtful and thorough responses to supplemental questions as they play an important role in this recruitment process. All qualifying work experience that is described or included in responses to supplemental questions MUST also be included and detailed in the "Work Experience" section of this application. See Resume is not an acceptable response for any supplemental question.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION

Under immediate or general supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex fiscal, financial, statistical, and accounting support duties in the preparation, processing, and maintenance of fiscal and accounting records and transactions; produces, balances, and maintains both manual and computerized accounting and financial records; receives, documents, and deposits payments; performs general office support duties; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate (Account Clerk I) or general (Account Clerk II) supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision of staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Account Clerk I: This is the entry-level classification in the Account Clerk series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine accounting support duties related to the preparation, processing, and maintenance of statistical, financial, billing, and related records. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult and close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.

Account Clerk II: This is the journey-level classification in the Account Clerk series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Incumbents may assume specialized responsibility. Duties may vary based upon the department to which assigned; however, all positions require the ability to understand and apply fundamental fiscal, financial, statistical, and accounting concepts and terminology. This class is distinguished from the Senior Account Clerk in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series and serves in a lead capacity over assigned fiscal support staff. Positions in the Account Clerk class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the II-level may be filled by advancement from the I-level; progression to the II-level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the II-level.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Performs a variety of fiscal support duties related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, business licensing, and/or department-specific fiscal support duties, including posting, balancing, adjusting, and maintaining manual and computerized account and financial records according to established policies and procedures.
• Assists customers, departments, and employees by providing answers and information regarding specific account information, discrepancies, general accounting procedures, and/or department specific issues and problems; researches issues regarding specific transactions; and updates related files and departments on action items.
• Maintains a variety of ledgers, registers, and journals according to established policies and procedures; reconciles transactions and data as directed; records changes and resolves differences; maintains the accuracy of accounting and financial records.
• Posts cash receipts to subsidiary accounts receivable ledgers; balances and reconciles accounts; posts and balances accounts payable ledgers for programs and purchase orders; codes accounts; prepares summaries; prepares annual cost statistics; distributes ledger charges according to the functions of the various programs.
• Computes, collects, processes, balances, and deposits various fees and payments and maintains cash balance worksheets.
• Assists in the preparation and batching of financial and statistical information for processing; assists in the review and balancing of input documents; participates in the monitoring and reconciliation of data processing printouts; may make adjustments and corrections as necessary.
• Receives requests and processes reimbursements; collects receipts and verifies charges; codes and enters expenses; forwards documents for management review and approval; files documents.
• Receives, sorts, and organizes a variety of financial documents, including bills, claims, invoices, and payments and reviews documents received for completeness, accuracy, correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper coding.
• Maintains accounting and financial and statistical records and prepares periodic or special reports; maintains records and files specific to assigned department.
• Assists with departmental payroll recordkeeping, expense allocations, cost accounting, implementation of internal financial controls, and budget preparation, as assigned.
• Performs general office support duties such as opening and routing mail and deliveries; preparing correspondence; filing and record keeping; duplicating and distributing various written materials; and ordering and keeping inventory of office supplies.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I-level) positions.

Knowledge of:

• Terminology and practices of fiscal and accounting document processing and recordkeeping, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and/or payroll.
• Business arithmetic and basic financial and statistical techniques.
• Methods of preparing and processing various records, reports, forms, and other documents.
• Principles and practices of financial/statistical recordkeeping.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Perform fiscal, financial, statistical, and accounting recordkeeping work with speed and accuracy.
• Prepare and process various financial and statistical records, reports, forms, and other documents specific to assigned department/division/program.
• Research and compile a variety of information and materials.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the County as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Learn, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances and County policies and procedures relevant to work performed.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Make accurate arithmetic and basic financial and statistical computations.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade; and

Account Clerk I: One (1) year of general office and computer experience.

Account Clerk II: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible accounting or bookkeeping experience at a level equivalent to the County’s class of Account Clerk I.

Certifications and Licenses:

• A position assigned to this class may require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer and standard office equipment.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.