SC Metro | Junior Accountant

Junior Accountant

Definition:

Under direction, a Junior Accountant  performs specialized and technical accounting duties to support Santa Cruz METRO financial functions and processes; reviews accounting data entered for accuracy and reconciles issues; prepares and maintains accounting records and reports; performs accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, and provides accounting support with fixed assets, insurance renewal, revenue, general ledger, tax filings, and budgeting activities;  performs related work as required.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Junior Accountant is the entry-level class in the series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform technical accounting support duties while learning and assisting with professional-level accounting work. As experience is gained, close supervision and frequent review of the work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform technical work independently and ability to interpret and apply basic accounting policies and procedures to ensure that assigned activities comply with various legal, policies, and other requirements.  This class is distinguished from the higher-level class of Accountant I in that the latter performs professional level, accounting work such as maintaining the general ledger.

Examples of duties and responsibilities:

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Reviews, verifies accuracy of, and processes documents such as invoices, purchase orders, reimbursement and refund request forms, travel advance request forms, and liability and payroll reports, to ensure accuracy of payments and reconcile discrepancies; works with department staff and management to reconcile and verify accuracy of data.
• Creates check runs, prints and distributes checks, and processes automated clearinghouse (ACH) payments; maintains electronic and hard copies in appropriate files.
• Requests wire transfers from Treasury to ensure availability of funds for accounts payable transactions.
• Receives and records incoming checks to cash receipts; verifies total amounts received and notifies appropriate Finance Department staff for processing; delivers deposits to the County Treasury Department.
• Receives, reviews, and processes Finance Department invoices in the automated accounting system; verifies items are received; creates receipt and posts invoices for approval.   
• Enters and reviews monthly credit card charge report; creates invoices, verifies dollar amounts, ensures receipts are attached, and submits invoices for approval.
• Audits, verifies, and resolves discrepancies on vendor statements.
• Maintains petty cash box by receiving and processing requests for cash following established policies and procedures and ensuring proper balance of monies in the cash box.
• Sets up new vendors and maintains current vendor information in the automated accounting system; generates and keeps copies of W-9 files.
• Coordinates annual process to issue 1099 forms in compliance with current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations; generates reports, verifies accuracy of information, resolves discrepancies, and works with the Finance management to submit the information to the IRS and 1099 forms to recipients.
• Assists in compiling financial data for projects as assigned; learns and provides support for fixed asset accounting, general ledger maintenance, audits, and other areas of accounting.
• Provides assistance during audits, including compiling documentation and supporting audit reviews.
• Documents, reviews, updates, and maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs), workflows, and job aids related to assigned accounting functions to support operational continuity.
• Assists in implementing and maintaining department database systems; ensures accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records data; collaborates with the Information Technology department and external vendors on system upgrades, integrations, and issue resolution to enhance the maintenance of systems.
• Researches a variety of issues and prepares summaries of findings; ; maintains logs, spreadsheets, lists, and files to track operational processes and information.
• Coordinates and performs special projects.
• Provides operational coverage for other positions within the job family, as assigned, to ensure continuity of financial operations.
• Performs related duties and assumes additional responsibilities as required, including any administrative tasks not specifically listed but within the general scope of the classification to support departmental operations.

Employment standards:

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, terminology, methods, and techniques of technical public sector accounting, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash handling practices.
• Basic laws and regulations applicable to public sector accounting.
• Relationships between accounting records and documents for recording and reporting purposes.
• Bookkeeping practices and procedures.
• Manual and automated record-keeping and filing systems.
• Technical methods of researching, gathering, organizing, and reporting data.
• Methods of prioritizing, planning, and organizing work.
•  Time management techniques.
• Customer service techniques.
• Intermediate mathematics, including percentages and intermediate statistics.
• The effective use of modern office equipment, personal computers, and standard business software.

Ability to:

• Evaluate, interpret, and apply technical accounting policies, procedures, and requirements as they apply to departmental financial activities.
• Perform technical accounting activities in a manner that complies with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Check, balance, and reconcile documents; maintain accounts payable/receivable and cash receipts.
• Create and use computerized spreadsheets, databases, and software to track financial information and automate calculations.
• Learn professional accounting tasks in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.
• Learn Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), GASB requirements, laws, and related regulations and their application to public sector accounting. 
• Perform financial calculations quickly and accurately.
• Maintain records and control systems with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Use good judgment, tact, and discretion.
• Balance multiple assignments simultaneously and effectively.
• Demonstrate exceptional time management and organizational skills to ensure timely completion assigned work.
• Utilize standard office equipment and computer software and learn to use specialized Santa Cruz METRO software if assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of materials, records, files, and other privileged information.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department and with other divisions, departments, agencies, suppliers, vendors, and the public.

Minimum qualifications:

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

Education, Training, and Experience:

Two (2) years course work from an accredited college in accounting, business administration, or a related field.

AND

Three (3) years of experience performing bookkeeping, financial recordkeeping, and/or accounts payable/receivable work, preferably in a public agency.

Licenses and certificates:

Physical and mental demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; walk, sit and stand; use finger dexterity; talk and hear, and use a keyboard.  Work often requires stooping at the waist and the repetitive use of both hands to grasp and feel objects. Work may require lifting up to 20 pounds unaided.  Specific visual abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, the ability to see colors and shades, and the ability to perceive depth. 

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks, and interacts with others encountered in the course of work.

Work Environment::

The employee works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate.  

Other conditions of employment:

• Must pass a requisite background check.
• May occasionally work extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.

^*Adopted: 06-26-26

^*BOD Approved: 06-26-26

^*Revised: 00-00-00

^*Job Family: Financial Professional

^*Job Series: Accountant Series

^*Job Series Level: Entry / Fist Working Level

^*Confidential: No