Finance Assistant I/II

Longwood University; Vacaville (CA); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan (CalPERS)

Job summary

The City of Vacaville is hiring for Finance Assistant I/II in the Utility Billing division. The role covers accounting records, customer service, and multi‑system processing in a fast-paced public finance environment.

Two years of related experience or associate degree is typical; higher levels may require more senior qualifications. Excellent benefits and a stable career in local government are offered.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Experience with bookkeeping principles and computer-based accounting systems.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain detailed accounting and financial records and reconcile assigned areas.
• Provide customer service in person, by phone, and electronically.
• Open/close customer accounts and maintain accurate information.
• Bill water and sewer services, process payments, and verify entries.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Bookkeeping

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree desirable

Tools

Tyler Munis

Excel

Job description

The City of Vacaville - A beautiful place to live, a great place to work!

With more than 600 employees, the City of Vacaville values work-life balance and offers every other Friday off, employee social and wellness activities, casual dress days, competitive pay and a generous benefits and retirement package.

Contribute to our vibrant community and join the City of Vacaville!

The City of Vacaville is accepting applications for a Finance Assistant I/II in our Finance Department. Currently, there is one (1) full-time vacancy in the Utility Billing Division. This recruitment will also be used to establish an eligibility list for future full-time, part‑time, and limited‑term vacancies in this classification that may arise over the next 12 months. Future vacancies may occur in any of the four Finance Department divisions: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable/Business License/Excise, Cashiering/Front Counter, or Utility Billing.

The Finance Assistant classification is flexibly staffed and may be filled either at the I (entry‑level) or II (journey‑level), depending on the qualifications of the candidates and the departmental need. Employees in the Finance Assistant I classification may advance to the Finance Assistant II level after meeting higher‑level qualifications.

Salary Information

Finance Assistant I - $53,272.42 - $64,751.67 Annually

Finance Assistant II - $59,576.94 - $72,416.29 Annually

Working for the City of Vacaville comes with an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical Insurance at affordable rates - City covers up to 85% of Kaiser premium and other plans are also available
• Vision and Dental Insurance monthly premiums covered 100% by the City
• Paid sick leave, vacation leave, thirteen holidays and two floating holidays a year
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment
• Deferred compensation plan with City contribution, no employee match required
• California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) plan enrollment and Retiree Health Savings account

The current vacancy for Finance Assistant I/II is located specifically in the Utility Billing division of the Finance Department. This division involves a high volume of phone activity, maintaining accounting records, reconciling accounts, processing transactions, providing customer service and navigating multiple software systems. Some additional examples of job duties in the Utility Billing division are as follows:

• Maintain detailed accounting and financial records, reconciling records of assigned areas and ensuring accuracy in utility billing

Provide excellent customer service in person, via phone and through electronic communications

Open and close customer accounts and maintain accurate customer account information

Bill water and sewer services, process payments and verify accounting/financial entries efficiently and accurately

Collaborating across all areas of finance and with other City departments to support overall department goals

• Navigate multiple software systems, including Tyler Munis and Excel, to manage customer accounts and billing information

Although the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable/Business License/Excise and Cashiering/Front Counter divisions do not currently have vacancies, the eligibility list established through this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in these units. Examples of duties may include:

Finance Assistant I/II in the Accounts Payable Division:

• Audit and process a high volume of invoices with accuracy, including employee expense reports, ensuring compliance with company policies.
• Conduct detailed reconciliation of vendor statements and accounts.
• Prepare and process weekly payments, including checks and electronic transfers (ACH), to ensure vendors are paid accurately and on time.

Finance Assistant I/II in the Accounts Receivable/Business License/Excise Division:

• Process payments, billing, maintain records and perform financial reconciliations to ensure accurate account management.
• Process excise tax payments, provide account information and explain ordinances and City policies to assist customers and ensure compliance.
• Deliver customer service by engaging directly with the public to answer questions and guide them through City procedures in line with payment and account protocols.

Finance Assistant I/II in the Cashiering/Front Counter Division:

• Provide front‑counter customer service by processing utility billing payments, invoice payments, account adjustments and service applications; answer account‑related questions, direct customers to appropriate services and assist with business license applications.
• Accurately process cash, check and credit card transactions in compliance with established financial procedures.
• Collaborate with internal departments to resolve payment discrepancies, support account management and improve customer satisfaction.

About You

The ideal Finance Assistant I/II candidate, regardless of division assignment, will be detail‑oriented, flexible and a collaborative team member. Desirable knowledge, skills and abilities include, but are not limited to:

• Strong communication and customer service skills
• A positive, professional attitude
• Experience in bookkeeping principles and computer‑based accounting systems
• The ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities

Minimum Qualifications

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

Finance Assistant I

Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by coursework or training in finance, accounting, business or closely related field. An Associate’s degree in a related field is desirable.

Experience: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible work experience performing clerical and/or administrative support, including bookkeeping, finance, accounting, cashiering, or closely related duties.

Finance Assistant II

Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by coursework or training in finance, accounting, business or closely related field. An Associate’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Experience: Two (2) years of work experience performing increasingly responsible duties in a position equivalent to a Finance Assistant I in the City of Vacaville.

License or Certificate

Select positions may require the possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record as conditions of initial and continued employment.

About Everything Else

A completed City of Vacaville Employment Application and Supplemental Questionnaire must be received by the Human Resources Department at 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville, CA 95688 prior to 5:30 p.m., Monday, October 6, 2025.

IMPORTANT: Contact with candidates will primarily be via email. Make sure you list a current email that you check regularly with your application.

Applicants receiving a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete the pre-placement process for this position before a final offer will be extended. Pre-placement assessments for this position may include, but are not limited to, verification of education and experience, a Livescan (FBI/DOJ fingerprint review) and a credit check.