Apply here! https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/slobispo/jobs/4751622/financial-specialist-accounting?page=3&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
JOB DESCRIPTION
The City of San Luis Obispo Finance Department has an opening for a Financial Specialist. Although an eligibility list will be established for the Revenue, Accounting, Purchasing, and Infrastructure Financing specialty areas, the current vacancy is assigned to the Accounting function area.
The ideal candidate would possess the following attributes: accurate, organized, strong communicator, ability to learn quickly, work efficiently, and is adaptable. Knowledge of basic accounting concepts, experience with reconciliations and charts of accounts and Excel is important.
If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, so please hold that date.
JOB SUMMARY:
Performs a variety of paraprofessional financial activities dependent upon the assigned function, such as revenue, accounting, purchasing, and infrastructure financing. Interprets departmental and City policies, procedures, and functions, and performs related work as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification performs a variety of paraprofessional financial duties requiring the exercise of tact and confidentiality, a thorough knowledge of basic financial concepts, and an ability to think critically in order to formulate and implement specified activities. This classification is distinguished from Financial Assistant in that the latter performs the most routine financial support activities, which may include processing accounts payable, entering and retrieving data, reviewing credit card and travel-related expenses, answering questions from vendors and City employees.
SUPERVISION
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives general supervision from departmental management, supervisory, or professional staff
May exercise technical or functional direction over lower-level or less-experienced staff.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this classification.)
Answers inquiries and advises or assists internal and external customers by phone, in person, and in writing; educates employees and supervisors on financial rules, policies, and procedures.
Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, receipts, vouchers, work orders, contracts, certificates, and specialized documents related to financial matters.
Administers and maintains related records and ensures accuracy and appropriate retention.
Assists with ensuring contractor compliance with agreements and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
Assists with internal reviews for compliance with City policies, practices, and procedures.
Monitors reports and implements changes concerning State and other governmental laws and regulations.
Exercises sound judgement in the administration of the City’s financial management systems and assigned function responsibilities.
Assists with preparing City Manager and City Council agenda reports, resolutions, ordinances, and correspondence regarding assigned activities.
Implements tools to measure internal and external customer satisfaction and attainment of performance standards to improve service delivery.
Serves as a resource for City staff in resolving fiscal and procurement questions and problems.
Collects statistical and economic data; prepares reports.
Performs a variety of complex financial duties in support of accounting and customer service operations.
Performs account reconciliation functions; prepares journal entries; coordinates reports, resolutions, contracts, agreements, and budget requests for input into accounting system; provides support to other City departments in analyzing and correcting operating budget information.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public. Provides subject matter guidance.
Assists with implementing and maintaining internal control systems and procedures.
May provide work direction, review and instructions to supplemental and/or volunteer staff on a project or day-to-day basis.
Performs research related to job assignments and relevant analysis.
Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.
In addition to the above, incumbents assigned to the revenue function will be required to perform the following duties:
Implements policies and procedures for effective revenue collection, cash handling, fraud protection, and service delivery.
Assists with developing and maintaining forecasting models for revenue and cash flow.
Works with other Finance staff to ensure accurate and complete ledger information; balances subsidiary ledger activity reports to the general ledger; assists in revolving cash management, revenue, and banking coordination issues.
Assists with performing cost analysis and fee studies.
In addition to the above, incumbents assigned to the accounting function will be required to perform the following duties:
Examines, reconciles, balances, and adjusts accounting records; reconciles and prepares bank reconciliation for multiple accounts.
Participates in central accounting functions such as preparing adjusting entries and fiscal year closing journal entries, and responding to information requests from external auditors and others as required.
Works with other Finance staff to ensure accurate and complete ledger information: balances subsidiary ledger activity reports to the general ledger; assists in resolving accounting-related issues.
Assists with preparation of financial statements, schedules, and other statistical and financial reports.
In addition to the above, incumbents assigned to the purchasing function will be required to perform the following duties:
Assists with administering formal and informal bidding practices; evaluates bids against specifications, terms, and conditions, and issues purchases orders in accordance with City code, law, and established policy.
Manages purchase-related contracts, including routing, record retention, tracking for expiration dates of required proof of insurance and tracking of contract expiration or extensions.
Administers legal notices of City solicitation, as required by City purchasing policy.
Assists with developing, implementing, and maintaining a centralized approval process and database for all City contracts.
Reviews contracts and purchase documents for proper insurance provisions and other conditions to ensure compliance with policies, procedures and best practices; confers with Human Resources assigned staff regarding risk management issues, as needed; acts as a resource to City staff and the public regarding existing contracts.
Participates in cross-division projects, including supplier and contract management.
Creates and coordinates with internal service clients cost savings and financial operations process improvement projects.
Collects and analyzes of spending data from disparate sources to derive insights and turn data into actionable information.
Assists in the development and administration of the City’s sustainable purchasing program and policies in support of the City’s Climate Action goals.
In addition to the above, incumbents assigned to the infrastructure financing function will be required to perform the following duties:
Assists with administering the City’s development agreements, AB1600 fee program, and community facilities districts. Reviews funding recommendations and implements fiscal procedures consistent with the regulations and goals of the grant program.
Verifies reimbursement documentation for financial transactions and the preparation and management of various recovery grants and assists with preparation of the annual property tax roll.
Assists with coordination of applicable property tax calculation and tax roll administration.
Participates in implementing management solutions to address new or ongoing problems with development related agreements.
Participates in the planning process for new development.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public administration relating to financial management
Principles and methods of financial administration, auditing, financial planning, reporting, and forecasting.
Generally accepted accounting principles applicable to local government.
Bookkeeping principles and procedures.
Applicable Local, State, and Federal laws.
Municipal budget administration.
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Automated financial application systems.
Principles and practices of providing customer service, both to internal and external customers.
Budgeting practices and procedures, internal support service requirements and issues.
Group dynamics and managing effective meetings.
Office procedures and the use of office automation; automated accounting and information systems, including the use of spreadsheet software.
General computer applications used in business, such as spreadsheet, data base, word processing software.
In addition to the above, incumbents assigned to the revenue function will be required to have knowledge of:
Principles and practices of accounts receivables, accounting, collection, cash handling, and payment remittance processing within a municipality.
Current innovations and best practices in governmental revenue management.
Practices and procedures related to the accounting for cash receipts and maintenance of customer accounts.
In addition to the above, incumbents assigned to the accounting function will be required to have knowledge of:
Principles and methods of municipal government accounting, cost accounting, and auditing.
Practices and procedures related to the accounting for cash flow and reconciling bank statements.
In addition to the above, incumbents assigned to the purchasing function will be required to have knowledge of:
Theory and practices of public purchasing, including ethics and standards.
Principles and practices of public agency purchasing, including competitive bidding procedures, preparation, and evaluation.
Best practices in public contracting, contract construction, and risk management.
In addition to the above, incumbents assigned to the infrastructure financing function will be required to have knowledge of:
Theory and practices of development agreement administration.
Principles and methods of budget development, administration and tracking.
Practices and procedures related to processing of financial transactions.
Ability to:
Organize and prepare financial and statistical reports.
Utilize automated data processing systems.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Use independent and sound judgement to resolve problems.
Compile, reconcile, balance, and interpret data.
Establish and maintain effective and accurate records.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
Prepare and present written and/or oral reports.
Interpret, explain, and ensure compliance with City revenue policies and procedures and State and Federal regulations and statutes.
Work within the City’s Oracle Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning financial system.
Interpret and apply City and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Equivalent to two years of college coursework in accounting, business, finance, economics, or a related field;
and
Three years of increasingly responsible office administrative experience, including at least one year of experience in finance or related functions in the specialty area assigned.
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in dealing with the public and work in a public agency setting is desirable.
BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE, CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE:
Live Scan Fingerprinting (DOJ)
