Account Specialist II

County of Mendocino; California (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Mendocino is seeking an Account Specialist II in Ukiah to provide intermediate accounting and clerical support. You will handle accounts payable/receivable, prepare routine financial reports, and assist with payroll processing and customer inquiries in a county setting.

Responsibilities include journal entries, document filing, mail handling, and supporting committee meetings with accurate record-keeping. Bilingual English/Spanish is encouraged for applicants.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D. AND two years of clerical accounting support duties.
• OR One year of full-time Account Specialist I experience with Mendocino County.
• An equivalent combination of related education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Performs department-specific accounting and bookkeeping tasks in compliance with County policies and procedures.
• Processes accounts payable and accounts receivable by entering payment information into financial systems and verifying invoice accuracy against purchase orders.
• Makes journal entries to support financial record-keeping.
• Reviews claims and invoices for accuracy and compliance with County policies and identifies and corrects discrepancies.
• Researches and corrects errors to maintain the integrity of financial records.
• Accepts payments, provides change, and issues customer receipts, handling cash transactions accurately.
• Types correspondence and reports, maintaining professional communication standards.
• Opens, stamps, sorts, and distributes mail.
• Files and retrieves documents from the filing system, maintaining organized record-keeping.
• Makes travel arrangements and maintains office equipment, supporting operational needs.
• Processing payroll/timesheets by tracking and verifying hours and entering information into the payroll system, supporting timely payroll processing.
• Prepares routine reports to meet local, state, and federal requirements.
• Organizes committee meetings, prepares and distributes agendas and meeting materials, arranges facilities or virtual meeting platforms and may act as primary point of contact.
• May train other staff.
• May make daily or weekly bank deposits and balance cash drawer, maintaining financial accuracy and integrity.
• May serve as backup to the department front office/front counter support, including answering incoming calls, greeting and directing visitors, delivering courteous and professional customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Clerical accounting

Data entry

Customer service

Tact and discretion

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Payroll system

Financial systems

Office software

Office equipment

Job description

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions in a variety of departments, service areas, and locations throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium. The current vacancy is in Ukiah.

Under general supervision, the Account Specialist II performs intermediate accounting and clerical support duties of moderate difficulty that require independent judgment and demonstrated knowledgeof accounting principles and departmental procedures. Duties may include resolving account discrepancies, processing financial transactions, preparing detailed financial reports, and answering questions about tax bills, invoices, licenses, and related issues both in person and over the phone, and operating various office equipment

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs department-specific accounting and bookkeeping tasks in compliance with County policies and procedures.
• Processes accounts payable and accounts receivable by entering payment information into financial systems and verifying invoice accuracy against purchase orders.
• Makes journal entries to support financial record-keeping.
• Reviews claims and invoices for accuracy and compliance with County policies and identifies and corrects discrepancies.
• Researches and corrects errors to maintain the integrity of financial records.
• Accepts payments, provides change, and issues customer receipts, handling cash transactions accurately.
• Types correspondence and reports, maintaining professional communication standards.
• Opens, stamps, sorts, and distributes mail.
• Files and retrieves documents from the filing system, maintaining organized record-keeping.
• Makes travel arrangements and maintains office equipment, supporting operational needs.
• Processing payroll/timesheets by tracking and verifying hours and entering information into the payroll system, supporting timely payroll processing.
• Prepares routine reports to meet local, state, and federal requirements.
• Organizes committee meetings, prepares and distributes agendas and meeting materials, arranges facilities or virtual meeting platforms and may act as primary point of contact.
• May train other staff.
• May make daily or weekly bank deposits and balance cash drawer, maintaining financial accuracy and integrity.
• May serve as backup to the department front office/front counter support, including answering incoming calls, greeting and directing visitors, delivering courteous and professional customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

Graduation from high school or G.E.D. AND two years of clerical experience with an emphasis on accounting support duties (accounts payable/receivable, receiving/processing payments, preparing routine financial reports) and general clerical tasks, including telephone operations and record management.

OR

One year of full-time experience as an Account Specialist I with Mendocino County.

OR

An equivalent combination of related education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver's License is preferred but not required. Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Knowledge of

• Clerical operations and standard office protocols, including office coordination, workflow processes, record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records management techniques, Meeting coordination, calendar management, and business correspondence practices.
• Basic accounting and bookkeeping practices.
• Principles, practices, methods and terminology of financial and statistical record keeping.
• Standard arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• English language structure and content, including word meaning, spelling, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Proficiency with computers, standard office software applications, and general office equipment necessary to perform essential job functions.

Skill in:

• Essential use of tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines and protocols
• Resolving clerical challenges, including problem-solving techniques and efficient workflow solutions.
• Techniques for research, compilation, and summarization of diverse informational and statistical data and materials.
• Data and retrieval techniques, with emphasis on accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail.
• Performing clerical accounting work, including posting and verifying data.Delivering responsive and courteous customer service in person, by phone, and in writing, with the ability to manage difficult or sensitive interactions with tact, discretion, and professionalism.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Read and comprehend instructions, routine correspondence, and memos.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Follow County and department-specific policies, procedures, codes, and ordinances.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Solve problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and speak and hear.
• Lift and carry, push and/or pull, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Examination Process:

All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing:

The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at [phone]. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements:

Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer