About the Department
The City of Hanford is currently recruiting for an Accounting Technician I/II/Accountant (DOQ) position in the Finance Department.
The position may be filled at different levels based on experience and education.
Accounting Technician I: $4,583 - $5,570/month
Accounting Technician II: $5,062 - $6,153/month
Accountant: $6,055 - $7,360/month
Accounting Technician I/IITo perform technical accounting and/or payroll functions; to process and maintain a variety of accounting records and financial reports; and to provide technical support to professional and management staff.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from an assigned supervisor.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a journey-level class in the paraprofessional accounting technician series. Incumbents are cross trained to perform the full range of technical work in all the following areas: accounts receivable and or accounts payable, payroll and accounting in addition to performing a variety of record keeping, reconciliation, and report preparation activities. This class is distinguishing from the Accountant classification in that the latter is a professional level requiring completion of a four-year degree with related experience.
AccountantTo perform professional-level accounting work and financial analysis reporting; develop and implement reporting and record-keeping procedures; perform related work as required; and to provide professional support to management.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the Financial Analyst or Finance Manager.
May exercise direct supervision over technical and accounting clerical personnel.
Position Duties
Accounting Technician I/II
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Process, verify, and perform journal entries, bank and other reconciliations, and account coding.
Assure compliance with applicable Federal, State and City regulations and requirements.
Prepare a variety of statistical reports for city and department use.
Track, enter and depreciate fixed assets; maintain asset inventories.
Provide lead processing and support for utility billing function.
Utilize appropriate cash handling procedures; prepare bank deposits.
Balance funds to auxiliary accounting reports; conduct routine and non-routine reconciliations of various accounts.
May assist to prepare and process the City’s biweekly payroll; maintain payroll records; control and maintain leave accruals.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
Perform related duties as assigned.
AccountantDuties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Review and analyze financial records for completeness and accuracy.
Prepare adjusting journal entries, trial balances, fiscal and statistical reports.
Develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
Plan, prioritize, evaluate and review the work of assigned technical and administrative support staff; provide and coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.
Prepare monthly bank reconciliations to the general ledger.
Assist with year-end closing of accounts and budget reconciliation.
Assist with preparation for external audit.
Assist in development of City Budget.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Accounting Technician I/II
Knowledge of:
Basic Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.
Methods and practices of financial recordkeeping and report preparation.
Financial mathematics and statistics.
Basic auditing including elements of internal control.
Automated financial software programs.
Ability to:
Perform technical accounting and recordkeeping work.
Intermittently, review and evaluate documents related to department operations; observe, identify and problem solve office operations and procedures; understand, interpret, and explain department policies and procedures; explain operations and problem solve issues for the public and with staff.
On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time or stand at public counter; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone; write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds or less.
Organize, prioritize, and coordinate work activities.
Make arithmetic calculations with speed and accuracy.
Prepare and maintain accurate payroll and other confidential employee records.
Reconcile complex accounting records, research account discrepancies.
Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
Operate and use modern office equipment including computers and applicable software.
Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.
Establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and collaborative working relationships with others.
Experience and Education
Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Accounting Technician I: One (1) year of responsible technical accounting or payroll processing experience.
Accounting Technician II: Two (2) years of responsible technical accounting or payroll processing experience equivalent to Accounting Technician I at the City of Hanford
Education:
Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college with major course work in accounting or a related field.
AccountantMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Principles and procedures of general and municipal accounting.
General principles of budget accounting and auditing.
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; treasury and cash management principles.
Ability to:
Perform professional-level accounting work in a municipal finance department.
On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
On a continuous basis sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds or less.
Analyze and interpret financial, accounting, and/or payroll records.
Prepare a variety of complex financial statements, reports, and analyses.
Organize, plan, schedule and implement operations.
Interpret and apply administrative and departmental policies, laws and rules; analyze situations carefully and adopt an appropriate, effective course of action.
Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
Operate and use modern office equipment including computers and applicable software.
Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.
Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and collaborative working relationships with others.
Experience and EducationAny combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:Two years of responsible professional governmental accounting experience.
Education:Equivalent to possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting or a related field.
Other Qualifications
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
Accounting Technician I/II
- Retirement: Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The City provides the PERS retirement program: 3% at 60 for Classic Members.
- 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase
- 12-month final compensation period.
- Sick Leave Credit
- 2% at 62 for New Members
- 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase
- Sick Leave Credit
- Holidays: Twelve specific holidays, plus two floating holidays.
- Paid Holiday Closure: City offices (where possible) will be closed Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.
- Vacation: Vacation leave starts at 11 days annually, increasing to 21 days based on time in service.
- Sick Leave: Sick leave accrual of 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation. At retirement, unused sick leave may be applied toward retirement for Classic Members.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: The premiums for medical and dental insurance are split 60/40. The city covers 60% of the premium, and the employee pays 40%. VSP Vision is provided to each employee at no cost. Additionally, vision coverage for family members is available at a 60/40 shared cost.
- Hanford Employee Care Connection (City-sponsored clinic): free and available to all insured full-time employees and covered dependents. Medical care offering same-day appointments, little to no copays, and comprehensive healthcare.
- Life insurance: $100,000 City paid policy.
- Tuition Reimbursement: A tuition reimbursement plan is available for work-related study for up to $5,000 per fiscal year.
- Longevity: Employees shall receive a stipend upon completion of the following consecutive years of active service with the City of Hanford. The City Manager shall have the discretion to provide longevity pay based on cumulative years of service at another public entity (State, County, or City municipality) in a management and/or technical level position.
- Five (5) years of service: 2.5%
- Ten (10) years of service: an additional 2.5%
- Fifteen (15) years of service: an additional 2.5%
- Twenty (20) years of service, an additional 2.5
Maximum allowance of 10%.
- Deferred Compensation / Employer Match: Employees covered under the G.E.M.A. MOUs are eligible to receive matched employer contributions for deferred compensation up to $75.00 per pay period for the term of the MOU.
- Cell Phone and Mobile Device Reimbursement: $50 per month for cell phone reimbursement; $50 per month for mobile device reimbursement.
Accountant- Retirement: Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The City provides the PERS retirement program: 3% at 60 for Classic Members.
- 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase
- 12-month final compensation period.
- Sick Leave Credit
- 2% at 62 for New Members
- 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase
- Sick Leave Credit
- Management Leave: Exempt employeesshall receive 64 hours of Management Leave, which may be taken as time off. An employee may also cash out their Management Leave or convert their payout to deferred compensation.
- Holidays: Twelve specific holidays, plus two floating holidays.
- Paid Holiday Closure: City offices (where possible) will be closed Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.
- Vacation: Vacation leave starts at 11 days annually, increasing to 21 days based on time in service.
- Sick Leave: Sick leave accrual of 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation. At retirement, unused sick leave may be applied toward retirement for Classic Members.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: The premiums for medical and dental insurance are split 60/40. The city covers 60% of the premium, and the employee pays 40%. VSP Vision is provided to each employee at no cost. Additionally, vision coverage for family members is available at a 60/40 shared cost.
- Hanford Employee Care Connection (City-sponsored clinic): free and available to all insured full-time employees and covered dependents. Medical care offering same-day appointments, little to no copays, and comprehensive healthcare.
- Life insurance: $100,000 City paid policy.
- Tuition Reimbursement: A tuition reimbursement plan is available for work-related study for up to $5,000 per fiscal year.
- Longevity: Employees shall receive a stipend upon completion of the following consecutive years of active service with the City of Hanford. The City Manager shall have the discretion to provide longevity pay based on cumulative years of service at another public entity (State, County, or City municipality) in a management and/or technical level position.
- Five (5) years of service: 2.5%
- Ten (10) years of service: an additional 2.5%
- Fifteen (15) years of service: an additional 2.5%
- Twenty (20) years of service, an additional 2.5
Maximum allowance of 10%.
- Deferred Compensation / Employer Match: Employees covered under the G.E.M.A. MOUs are eligible to receive matched employer contributions for deferred compensation up to $75.00 per pay period for the term of the MOU.
- Cell Phone and Mobile Device Reimbursement: $50 per month for cell phone reimbursement; $50 per month for mobile device reimbursement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:The application screening will involve a competitive evaluation of relevant education, training, and work experience, followed by a written examination and/or an interview before an Oral Board to identify the most qualified candidates. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee applicants an interview, and the screening committee's decision is final. Candidates deemed eligible for appointment to the position will be placed on the City’s Certified Eligibility List. Applicants will receive written notification regarding the results of all phases of the recruitment process leading up to the establishment of the Eligibility List, if applicable.