Accounting Specialist (DS - Substitute)

South Orange County Community College District; Mission Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

South Orange County Community College District seeks an Accounting Specialist to perform complex technical accounting tasks and maintain accurate records in line with regulations.

The role involves auditing financial data, interpreting policies, coordinating with district departments, and processing various financial documents. Requires strong accounting knowledge and experience with financial systems.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to high school diploma with accounting training.
• Three years of clerical accounting experience.
• Knowledge of general accounting and auditing.
• Proficiency with office software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases).

Responsibilities

• Analyze and audit complex financial data to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Interpret policies and provide guidance on financial policies and procedures.
• Respond to information requests from agencies and the public regarding financial policies.
• Input, update, and maintain financial records in online systems.
• Maintain student accounts receivable records and process payments and reconciliations.
• Coordinate accounting activities with management and external agencies.
• Process 1099 tax forms and ensure compliance with laws.
• Collect, count, and reconcile cash and deposits; prepare bank deposits.
• Review and audit financial records to ensure internal controls.
• Audit and process vendor payments and prepare warrants.
• Perform clerical duties and operate office equipment.
• Perform related duties as required.

Skills

General accounting

Auditing

Financial recordkeeping

Office procedures

Mathematical principles

Policy compliance

Education

High school diploma with accounting training

Related field coursework

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Accounting software

Job description

SUMMARYDESCRIPTION

Under direction from an appropriate level manager or administrator, performs complex technical accounting tasks within an assigned accounting area; establishes, monitors, and maintains accurate and current records and reports on assigned activities; ensures compliance with various federal, state and District practices, policies, procedures and regulations; and coordinates and communicates various accounting activities with other district department personnel, private agencies, vendors and students.

DISTINGUISHINGCHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey-level class in the Accounting Specialist series. Employees in this class are distinguished from the Senior Accounting Specialist in that the latter performs the most complex clerical accounting functions at the paraprofessional level, requiring knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping principles as well as significant directly related and progressively responsible experience. Employees at the Accounting Specialist level are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

REPRESENTATIVEDUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Analyze and audit complex financial data, documents, and reports to ensureaccuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable governmentaland district regulations.
• Interpretpolicies and procedures; provide recommendations and technicalguidance to administrators, deans, staff, and students regardingfinancial and accounting policies; make decisions and recommend newprocedures to immediate supervisor regarding financial reportingdocuments.
• Respond torequests for information from district/college operating units,governmental agencies, and the public regarding financial andaccounting policies; investigate complaints and recommendcorrective action for resolution.
• Performonline computer transactions to input, update, and maintainfinancial records, reports, and files; research, calculate, andprocess accounting-related documents.
• Maintainstudent accounts receivable records; make adjustments, corrections,and reconciliations; collect and post student fees includingpayments for returned checks and fines.
• Coordinateaccounting activities with management, Information Resources andthe Orange County Department of Education in the development,implementation, and maintenance of accounting computer systems.
• Compile,maintain, and reconcile information required in processing 1099 taxforms; interpret information to ensure compliance with federal,state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Collect,count, and reconcile monies; prepare bank deposits; maintainrecords of cash transactions and receipts; reconcile receipts anddisbursements with appropriate accounting records.
• Review,reconcile, prepare, and maintain a variety of financial records,ledgers, and reports; make adjustments, as necessary; auditaccounts as necessary to ensure proper internal controls; assistauditors in the preparation of annual audit reports ensuringcompliance with various state and District policies, rules, andregulations.
• Audit andprocess applications for payment from vendors, contractors,architects, engineers, students, and instructors; ensure thatdisbursements are in accordance with District and governmentalaccounting practices and procedures; process and prepare warrants;maintain records of payments and receipts.
• Performclerical duties, such as typing and filing as required; operate avariety of office equipment including calculators, copiers,check-signing machines, and computer equipment.
• Performrelated duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Principles andpractices of general accounting and auditing.
• Methods andtechniques of financial recordkeeping and reporting.
• Officeprocedures, methods, and equipment including computers andapplicable software applications such as word processing,spreadsheets, and databases.
• Mathematicalprinciples and practices applicable to accounting.
• English usage,spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Pertinentfederal, state, and local rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices.

Ability to:

• Performtechnical accounting tasks requiring independent judgment andinitiative.
• Audit, review,analyze, and reconcile assigned accounts, ledgers, and reports.
• Ensurecompliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, andprocedures.
• Analyze,determine, and recommend an effective and efficient course ofaction to address a given situation.
• Operate officeequipment, including computers, and use applicable word processing,spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Understand andfollow oral and written instructions.
• Communicateclearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish andmaintain effective working relationships with those contacted inthe course of work.
• Report to workon a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assignedjob.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEGUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in accounting,finance, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

Three years of responsible clerical accounting experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKINGENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment:

Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Duties are typically performed at a desk or computer terminal; subject to noise from office equipment operation; frequent interruptions and contact in person and on the telephone with students, academic and classified staff, and others. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to ensure health and comfort.

Physical:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including use of a computer keyboard; and verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision:

See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing:

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Work Schedule: TBD - Schedule and shift vary and are subject to change in accordancewith the department's needs.

Hours per Week: Up to 25

Employment Conditions and Information:

This is a short-term, temporary, hourly Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU)assignment, not to exceed 160 days and 960 hours per fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th). Short-term, temporary NBU positions may only be used on an intermittent, seasonal, or project basis. Education Code Section 88003 states 'Short-term employee means any person who is employed to perform a service for the district, upon the completionof which, the service required or similar services will not be extended or needed on a continuing basis.'

After successful completion of the onboarding requirements, an individual may be employed by the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) as a short-term, temporary NBU employee. Employment will be on an “if and as needed” basis, as determined by the SOCCCD. The assignment may be shortened or extended at any time, due to departmental needs, with little to no notice. NBU employment is at-will, and either party may terminate this workingrelationship at any time. Neither party shall be required to provide any reason for the separation. NBU employees shall not have employment rights or recourse to petition to be reinstated.

NBU employees are limited to working in a single position within one department and at one worksite. ASL Interpreters and Art Models are the only exceptions to the single-worksite requirement. NBU employees may not work remotely and must be supervised while performing their assigned duties.

NBU employees are paid on a monthly basis. The payroll reporting period is from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month. NBU employees are paid on the 10th of the following month.

Example:

For the following reporting period: January 1st through January 31st, the NBU employee will be paid on February 10th.

NBU employees who work more than 1000 hours per fiscal year are required to contribute to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), through payroll deduction. The SOCCCDdoes not intend to employ NBU employees for more than 960 hoursduring any fiscal year.