Accounting Technician (In-house Only)

City of Fortuna (CA); Fortuna (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fortuna (CA) is seeking a Finance Accounting Technician to perform a variety of accounting, financial, and administrative tasks. The role includes utility billing processing, accounts payable/receivable, and customer service at the public counter, under the Finance Director and Office Supervisor.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED and familiarity with City policies. It offers a balanced, full-time schedule with routine reporting and confidentiality of sensitive

Qualifications

• Customer service principles including handling inquiries and assisting public
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of personnel, financial, and sensitive information
• Proficiency in office software, data entry, and basic spreadsheet use

Responsibilities

• Enter, maintain, and process data and records for utility services, payments, accounts, and charges
• Receive payments at a public counter and provide information or receipts
• Prepare daily cash reports and assist with invoicing, requisitions, travel, and related documents
• Answer and route phone calls, sort mail, and provide general office support
• Learn and apply City policies and procedures relevant to assigned functions
• Provide administrative and technical support to the Finance Department and other City departments
• Maintain accuracy and speed in completing tasks under deadlines

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Data entry

Financial recordkeeping

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Finance Accounting Technician is a full-time, mid-skill-level classification responsible for performing a variety of complex accounting, financial, statistical, administrative, and systems support functions for the City. The position is responsible for the preparation, maintenance, and processing of financial and accounting records, including utility billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and business licenses; taking payments and issuing receipts at a public counter; answering and routing telephone calls; interacting with the public by responding to various inquiries and requests; and to do related work that may be outside the scope of the Finance Department as assigned. Work is performed under the administrative supervision of the Finance Director and general direction of the Finance Office Supervisor. Incumbents are expected to become familiar with and apply the policies, procedures, and practices of the City's financial, personnel, risk management, and administrative functions. Work requires the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in organizing and completing assignments, resolving routine problems, and determining appropriate methods and procedures within established guidelines

Special Characteristics

• This position is classified as FLSA non-exempt.
• This position is represented by the Fortuna Employees Association (FEA)

• Performs a variety of accounting, financial, statistical, and administrative assignments in support of the Finance Department and other City operations.
• Enters, maintains, and processes data and records for utility services, business licenses, payments, accounts, and other charges.
• Receives payments at a public counter, assists customers with questions and problems, and provides information regarding City services and procedures.
• Prepares daily cash reports and assists with the preparation of financial, statistical, budget, and processes invoices, requisitions, travel, per diem, and other administrative or financial documents assigned.
• Answers and routes telephone calls, sorts and distributes mail, provides information to others, and performs general office assistance assignments.
• Learns and applies City policies, procedures, and practices applicable to assigned functions.
• Provides administrative and technical support to the Finance Department and other City departments in a variety of administrative functions; assists with special projects and other assignments as needed.
• Maintains confidentiality of personnel, financial, and other sensitive information.

Utility Billing activities

• Establishes and discontinues customer utility accounts.
• Processes monthly water/sewer utility billing, including generating and analyzing billing batches; and identifying and correcting errors.
• Coordinates work with field staff for meter reads, leak checks, re-reads, and verifying and replacing meters.
• Researches and resolves problems; identifies and investigates past due accounts; communicates with customers to discuss unpaid bills, negotiate payment plans, and follow up to ensure payment is received.
• Processes delinquent accounts for shut-off or other penalties for outstanding debt, including sending collection notices, final and late notices, and performing other necessary delinquency processing.

Knowledge of:

• Safe work practices.
• Methods and practices of financial and statistical recordkeeping.
• Customer service principles including techniques for dealing effectively with those contacted in the course of work, both in person and on the telephone.
• Computer work process and spreadsheet applications.

Ability to:

• Act with integrity, ingenuity, and effectiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Maintain ongoing responsibility for an assigned area of the City’s financial recordkeeping system.
• Perform a variety of financial and statistical recordkeeping assignments.
• Operate computer, office, and calculating equipment.
• Make arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public and other staff when explaining functions and policies of the work area where assigned.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships. Communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Understand and follow oral and/or written instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using software applications.
• Use logical thinking and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written directions oral instructions.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under pressure of deadlines and changing priorities.
• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Act with integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities would be one (1) year of responsible office assistance, preferably including background in maintaining financial and statistical records such as would be done by an Account Clerk I/II working for the City of Fortuna.