Finance Specialist

El Monte; El Monte (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

El Monte seeks a journey-level accounting support professional to handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll, keeping manual and computerized records accurate and balancing ledgers in a municipal setting.

Under general direction, you will process payroll, audit time records, apply bargaining contracts, and produce routine financial reports while ensuring compliance with city policies and state regulations.

Qualifications

• Public agency finance and account functions.
• Payroll processes and techniques.
• Employee benefits processes as they relate to payroll.
• Record keeping, information processing requirements related to payroll.
• Auditing financial documents principles and practices.
• Mathematical principles relevant to accounting.
• Posting transactions to the general ledger.
• Reconciling and balancing financial documents.
• Payroll reporting to state and federal agencies.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and bargaining contracts affecting payroll.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical accounting duties in support of general accounting and payroll programs.
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, rules, and procedures.
• Process payroll and related records with accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain ledgers, registers, and journals per policy.
• Audit timekeeping and payroll documents for compliance.
• Prepare payroll reports and dealings with tax and benefits providers.
• Respond to inquiries from departments and employees regarding payroll.

Skills

Public sector finance

Payroll processes

General ledger posting

Auditing

Job description

This recruitment may close before the deadline listed above or upon receipt of the first 100 applications, whichever comes first.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, performs a variety of complex technical and administrative accounting support duties in the preparation, maintenance, and processing of accounting records and transactions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll; and balances and maintains manual and computerized accounting and financial records; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISITCS

This fully qualified journey-level classification performs the full range of duties as assigned, works independently, and exercises judgement and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Examples of TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs a variety of administrative and technical account support duties related to utility billing, accounts payable, and payroll including posting, balancing, adjusting, and maintaining manual and computerized account and financial records according to established policies and procedures.
• Verifies, posts, and records a variety of financial transactions; prepares and maintains databases, records, and a variety of periodic and special financial, accounting, and statistical reports; generates reports and balances them appropriately.
• Maintains a variety of ledgers, registers, and journals according to established account policies and procedures; reconciles transactions and data as directed; records changes and resolves differences; maintains the accuracy of accounting and financial records.
• Participates in the assignment of appropriate billing rates for utility and other municipal services; adjusts and makes corrections on accounts as required; provides support for the lower-level staff.
• Receives, reviews, verifies, and processes time recording documents to prepare payroll for City employees; audits such documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with rules and regulations; prepares and balances payroll reports and records.
• Processes, calculates, and maintains records of a variety of payroll actions; maintains employee records for voluntary and non-voluntary deductions; prepares payroll warrants and wire transfers; prepares reports and payments for various tax, financial, and insurance organizations.
• Processes and maintains a wide variety of documents associated with employee payroll including withholding forms, plan participation forms, court orders, etc.; enters timesheet data into software programs; identifies problems or issues and resolves with employee or supervisor as necessary.
• Interprets, applies, explains, and ensures compliance with provisions of collective bargaining contracts and personnel rules as they apply to payroll and a wide variety of paid and unpaid leave usage; suggests contract and rule changes to improve payroll and time reporting.
• Applies and ensures compliance with applicable tax laws and rulings regarding the employee benefits program and earnings.
• Receives and verifies timesheets; checks for available sick leave and vacation days and other types of available leave days and inputs into payroll system; advises supervisors and employees on requirements of union contracts for time reporting.
• Prepares reports and payments for employee retirement benefits; prepares quarterly Federal and State tax reports.
• Prepares insurance premium statements for payment; updates insurance changes for City employees.
• Assists departments and employees by providing payroll information, explaining procedures, and answering labor contract questions pertaining to payroll.
• Maintains a variety of files and records related to the City's payroll system and general accounting techniques and procedures; reconciles transactions and data as directed; records changes and resolves differences, maintains the accuracy of the accounting and financial records.
• Assists with preparation of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) including providing statistical information.
• Audits receipts of financial transactions for various departments.
• Assists customers, departments, and employees by providing answers and information regarding specific account information, discrepancies, general accounting procedures, and/or department specific issues and problems; researches issues regarding specific transactions; and updates related files and departments on action items.
• Performs clerical and administrative functions for the Finance Department by answering internal and external phone calls, sorting and distributing mail, preparing correspondence, and other related tasks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Public agency finance and account functions.
• Payroll processes and techniques.
• Employee benefits processes as they relate to payroll.
• Record keeping, information processing requirements and rules and policies related to the production of an employee payroll.
• Principles and practices of auditing financial documents.
• Mathematical principles.
• Principles and practices of posting financial transactions to the general ledger.
• Methods and techniques of reconciling and balancing financial documents.
• Payroll reporting and payment requirements of various State and Federal agencies and benefit providers.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility, including the City’s various bargaining unit Memoranda of Understanding and related contracts and documents.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform technical accounting duties in support of general accounting and payroll programs.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures