Account Clerk - Operational Accounting Unit

Sacramento Superior Court; Cantil (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sacramento Superior Court is seeking an Account Clerk to perform clerical accounting duties including preparation, maintenance, review, auditing, and processing of financial records, reports, and claims. This entry-level position may involve independent judgment and requires strong attention to detail.

You will generate and verify accounting reports, prepare journal vouchers, and assist with vendor and client payments, using spreadsheets, databases, and standard court applications.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience keeping or reviewing financial or statistical records.
• Education may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required two (2) years of experience, on the basis: accounting curriculum, Bachelor's/AA/Accounting Certificate.
• Completion of two of the following courses may substitute for one year of experience: elementary accounting, advanced accounting, cost accounting, accounting law.

Responsibilities

• Analyze customer service issues involving interaction with county employees and supervisors, and propose solutions based on rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Explain policies and procedures to inform customers of Court processes or to provide account statuses and verify information.
• Generate, verify and review accounting reports, calculate check/cash receipts, disbursements, and charges to determine correct amounts for payments.
• Originate forms to submit to Auditor's Office for processing of vendor and/or client payments.
• Prepare journal vouchers to distribute charges and operating costs for purchases using fund code charts.
• Prepare reports using spreadsheets, databases, and word processing to track information and ensure proper authorization.
• Review reports for completeness and accuracy, correcting or rejecting if necessary.
• May train and cross-train employees in various functions of program processes.
• Dispense and receive documents or supplies to provide customers with accurate forms.
• Match invoice documents with receiving reports to ensure correct payments.

Skills

Attention to detail

Numerical skills

English communication

Record-keeping

Customer service

General computer skills

Education

Accounting curriculum

Accounting degree or certificate

Substitute coursework

Tools

Spreadsheets

Databases

Word processing

Job description

DEFINITION

Under supervision, the Account Clerk performs a variety of clerical accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance, review, auditing, and processing of financial and statistical records, reports, and claims.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Account Clerk is an entry-level classification that may be assigned difficult work requiring independent judgment, responsibility, and a general knowledge and understanding of departmental record-keeping procedures.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

1. Analyzes customer service issues involving interaction with other county employees and supervisors, and recommends solutions based on rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to meet customer needs effectively.
2. Clarifies and explains policies and procedures to inform customers of Court processes or to provide account statuses and verify information.
3. Generates, verifies and reviews accounting reports, calculates check and cash receipts, disbursements, and charges to arrive at summary total or determine correct amount for transactions and deposit permits.
4. Originates various forms (LFO, BOR, Requisitions, Claims) to submit to Auditor's Office for processing of vendor and/or client payments.
5. Prepares journal vouchers to distribute charges and operating costs for purchases using fund code charts and appropriate code forms to transfer funds or charge correct accounts.
6. Prepares reports using spreadsheets, databases, word processing and other Court services applications to track information; reviews receiving reports for proper authorization, codes, and vendor numbers to efficiently process payments; tabulates work to produce statistical reports complying with federal and state regulations, while monitoring internal operations and security.
7. Reviews reports for completeness and accuracy, correcting or rejecting if necessary.
8. May train and cross-train employees in various functions of program processes to maintain properly trained, knowledgeable personnel.
9. Dispenses and receives documents or supplies to provide customers with accurate forms and supplies or to store supplies and deliveries.
10. Matches invoice documents with receiving reports or packing slip using a calculator, vendor's price list, reports or logs, and Court contracts to ensure correct amounts and processes for payments.
11. May track and update cash bail bonds and surety company bail bonds to ensure accurate and complete progression through the court system; sends updates to Bond Agents accordingly.
12. Compares, combines, and verifies data and information using printouts, invoices, calculator, computer, or oral communication to input or maintain accurate information, record for appearances, or further processing.
13. Files information chronologically, numerically, or alphabetically to maintain an accurate, organized filing system; searches, locates, retrieves, updates, and reviews files from manual or computerized system to provide requested information or locate missing files.
14. Performs routine clerical duties such as: making photocopies, completing forms and various documents, sending mail and email, and navigating a personal computer.
15. Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

Two (2) years of experience keeping or reviewing financial or statistical records.

Education Substitution:

Education may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required two (2) years of experience, on the following basis: completion of an accounting curriculum from an accredited college or university, or an accredited correspondence or business school. The accounting curriculum shall include elementary and advanced accounting, cost accounting, and accounting law. Completion of a Bachelor's degree, an Associate of Arts degree, or an Accounting Certificate is equal to two (2) years of experience. Volunteer work or unpaid internships will be evaluated case by case.

Completion of any two (2) of the following courses from an accredited college or university, correspondence, or business school may substitute for one (1) year of experience: elementary accounting, advanced accounting, cost accounting, and accounting law.

Knowledge of:

General principles, procedures, terminology and practices used in financial and statistical clerical record-keeping, including posting, computing totals, reconciling accounts, and reviewing balance sheets; basic understanding of general accounting principles, including debits and credits; strong arithmetic skills covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals, and fractions; clear writing abilities using proper English, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary; effective English communication; familiarity with standard filing methods (alphabetic, numeric, chronological); general computer applications such as spreadsheets, databases, and word-processing; knowledge of Sacramento Superior Court and specific departmental policies, procedures, and functions; training and customer service techniques and methods.

Ability to:

Prepare reports using spreadsheets, databases and word-processing applications; track/reconcile information between accounts and general ledgers; accurately proofread details, noting and detecting errors; prioritize work and meet deadlines; apply and explain policies and procedures; work independently and carry out assignments with minimal supervision; give instructions and assign work to staff; calculate solutions to math problems: addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, percentages, decimals, and fractions; understand and follow standard oral and written instructions; read, write, and speak English at a level necessary to understand procedure manuals, policy guidelines, software manuals, technical documents and reports, independently compose correspondence from notes or verbal instruction; record incoming information, and communicate information clearly; establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with others; operate computer terminals, printers, copiers, microfiche, and fax machines; elicit information from inside/outside sources.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25lbs.; corrected hearing and vision up to normal range; use of office equipment, including computers, telephones, calculators, copiers, scanners and fax machines.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with other staff and the public.

OTHER REQUIREMENT

Must be able to pass a criminal history information background check.