Accounting Technician II

City of Anacortes; Anacortes (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Anacortes is hiring for an Accounting Clerk to perform a wide range of accounting and clerical duties, including accounts payable, utility billing, and cashiering. The role requires strong customer service skills and the ability to communicate in person, by phone, email, and online.

Preferred candidates have an associate degree or relevant post-high school education with experience. Must possess a valid Washington state driver’s license and be bondable.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of progressively responsible office, customer service, problem-solving, and accounting experience in a comparable environment.
• Preferred Associate’s degree; technical certificates or other post-high school education with relevant experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Performs a wide range of accounting and clerical functions, including accounts payable, utility billing, and cashiering.
• Provides information to customers in person, by telephone, via email and the Internet.
• Responds to public inquiries in a professional and courteous manner and within the scope of knowledge to provide information regarding all aspects of utility billing, general community resource information, and City policies; refers inquiries to appropriate departments, personnel, or other agencies as needed.
• Maintains excellent public relations through communication with the public and other departments and agencies. Answers telephone calls and directs calls to the appropriate department.
• Performs a wide range of data entry.
• Assists other departments and the public in gathering information.
• This is a full-time position that requires regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• May perform duties of similar complexity in any City department, as assigned.

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Word

Access

Job description

This position is responsible for a variety of detailed accounting and clerical activities, such as recording, processing and summarizing financial information. This position requires strong customer service skills and the ability to communicate in person, on the phone, via e-mail & the Internet and through informational documents. This position requires the ability to cross train and support various functions across the department. Must have the capability to multi-task.

1. Performs a wide range of accounting and clerical functions, including accounts payable, utility billing, and cashiering. Is cross-trained in and performs the duties and responsibilities of the Accounting Technician I classification, as needed, to provide back-up coverage and ensure continuity of operations.
2. Works with other City departments to coordinate procedures and actions. Provides information to customers in person, by telephone, via email and the Internet, and through informational documents.
3. Responds to public inquiries in a professional and courteous manner and within the scope of knowledge to provide information regarding all aspects of utility billing, general community resource information, and City policies; refers inquiries to appropriate departments, personnel, or other agencies as needed.
4. Maintains excellent public relations through communication with the public and other departments and agencies. Answers telephone calls and directs calls to the appropriate department.
5. Performs a wide range of data entry.
6. Assists other departments and the public in gathering information.
7. This is a full-time position that requires regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
8. May perform duties of similar complexity in any City department, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred Associate’s degree; technical certificates or other post-high school education with relevant experience considered. Three to five years of progressively responsible office, customer service, problem-solving, and accounting experience in a comparable environment. A combination of training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Licenses and other requirements:

Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license. Must be bondable.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Accounting principles, demonstrated through three to five years of progressively responsible office, customer service, problem-solving, and accounting experience in a comparable environment.
• Windows-based software, including Excel, Outlook, Word, and Access.
• Financial systems and their use.

Ability to:

• Work independently in a multitasking customer service setting.
• Ability to work effectively and productively with others.
• Perform accounting and mathematical computations with a high degree of accuracy.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY:

Performs routine duties independently, setting priorities and scheduling own work in accordance with established and general policies and procedures requiring regular interpretation. Is responsible for sound judgment, thoroughness, and competence, where failure to perform effectively and efficiently could have serious impact on public relations, employee effectiveness, and the efficient use of resources.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Most of the work is performed in a fast-paced office setting with frequent interruptions and with the need to deal with a great diversity of people. Some work is performed at meeting rooms in the community. Occasional needs to pick up or deliver items in the community or to other City departments.

PHYSICAL:

Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and put away parcels weighing up to 30 pounds. Ability to stand, walk, and drive as needed throughout the day. Ability to sit and use computer workstation, including keyboard and visual display terminal, for extended periods of time. Finger, hand, and wrist dexterity.

OTHER:

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility; but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Following an offer of employment, and prior to starting work, individuals may be required to have a pre-employment physical examination by a physician designated by the City of Anacortes. The City will pay for the examination. Satisfactory clearance to perform essential job functions will be required for employment. As an absolute condition of employment, employees are required upon hire to sign a drug-free workplace agreement and an agreement not to use tobacco products in any form while on the job.

The City of Anacortes is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, citizenship or national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age (over 40), marital/familial status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identification, or status as an honorably discharged veteran, or any other class protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities are provided on request.