As-Needed Temporary Employee (Accounting) (20409473)

The Department: 
The Finance Department administers the financial affairs of the City of Santa Clara, including City-owned public utilities. The department is comprised of five divisions, Administrative Services, Budget and Treasury, Accounting, Municipal Services, and Purchasing. Together these divisions carry out the mission of the Finance Department to ensure that the financial/fiscal activities of the City are performed, recorded, and presented in compliance with professional and ethical standards.  
 
The Position: 
Positions in this class are flexibly staffed, and are frequently filled by advancement from the Accounting Technician I class, or when filled through recruitment, require additional experience.  The appointing authority will approve appointment or promotion based on the employee's demonstrated ability to perform the full range of duties for the class and meet the qualification standards for the class.  Incumbents within this class are distinguished from the Accounting Technician I by exhibiting a higher level of judgment and independence in performing the full range of duties as assigned.
 
As an as-needed employee, this is an "at-will" position and there is no guarantee of hours. Hours are limited to 999 in a fiscal year or 960 hours in a fiscal year for retired CalPERS annuitants.

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARENTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS.  ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. 
 

Each position in this classification may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples coverall duties that may be performed.

General Accounting:
 Under supervision:
 •  Processes the City's financial transactions in a timely manner in compliance with laws, regulations, and City policy working closely with staff in all City departments and outside City contacts; Performs reconciliation of various accounting and banking activity;
 • Reviews the documentation submitted by operating departments for compliance and correct general ledger  account coding and recommends corrective action, up to and including journal entry preparation;
 • Reviews documentation for Miscellaneous Accounts Receivable in order to generate invoices using on-line billing system;
 • Generates billing statements, demand letters and collection agency information;
 • Works with payers to develop payment plans;
 • Issues tags to departments for fixed asset purchases;
 • Uses computer applications, including electronic spreadsheets and word processing software, prepares reports, memos, and supporting documentation;
 • Maintains accurate paper and electronic documentation, including files;
 • Sorts, indexes, and files materials, using a variety of standard filing methods;
 • May represent the City of Santa Clara in Small Claim actions;
 • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Accounts Payable:
 Under supervision
 • Reviews payment requests from departments for compliance with City internal control policies including contract management requirements;
 • Reviews invoices to determine appropriate coding for sales & use tax;
 • Enters accounts payable  vouchers online and verify input against source documents;
 • Enters and loads spreadsheet vouchers;
 • Works with City staff to accurately process Purchase Card transactions;
 • Provides assistance to staff in using the Insurance certificate tracking system;
 • Works closely with vendors, payers, employees, and other agencies;
 • Reviews the documentation submitted by operating departments for compliance and correct GL account coding and recommends corrective action;
 • Uses computer applications, including electronic spreadsheets and word processing software, prepares reports, memos, and supporting documentation;
 • Maintains accurate paper and electronic documentation, including files;
 • Sorts, indexes, and files materials, using a variety of standard filing methods ;and
 • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Payroll:
 Under supervision
 • Enters payroll transactions online and verifies input against the source documents;
 • Accurately follows established business process documentation;
 • Using queries and reports, reviews transactions for compliance with City policies, procedures and Memoranda of Understanding;
 • Works with City employees and departments, as well as other outside City contacts;
 • Analyze original documents and determine system entries needed;
 • Reconciles employee deductions to the GL;
 • Processes levies and judgments in accordance with laws and regulations;
 • Uses queries and computer applications to maintain control totals of base salaries City wide and balance salaries to payroll on a biweekly basis;
 • Using computer applications, including electronic spreadsheets and word processing software, reconciles biweekly or monthly benefits and deductions and prepares reports, memos, supporting documentation and payment requests;
 • Maintains accurate paper and electronic documentation, including files;
 • Sorts, indexes, and files materials, using a variety of standard filing methods; and
 • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: 
• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED; and
 • Completion of thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units from an accredited college or university including at least six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter units, which must be in Accounting or Bookkeeping; and
 • Two (2) years of work experience in Finance/Accounting (accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, or general accounting); and
 • Experience with  electronic spreadsheet and word processing programs; and
 • Experience with on-line financial and/or payroll systems; and
 • Ten-key by touch.

Desirable Qualifications:
 • Experience with PeopleSoft Financial or Human Resources/Payroll Systems.

Possible Substitutions:
 • Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on the basis of one (1) year of experience for fifteen (15) semester units.   (There is no substitution allowed for the requirement for six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter units in Accounting and Bookkeeping.)

Licenses:
 Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is desirable.
 
 OTHER REQUIREMENTS
 • Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.
 • May be required to work unusual hours and weekends in the performance of their duties.
 
Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

Knowledge of:
 • Accounting methods and procedures;
 • Office machines and common office equipment including a personal computer, copier and facsimile machine;
 • Accounting transaction processing in the payroll, accounts payable, general accounting, or cash and bank reconciliation areas;
 • Computer applications (such as Peoplesoft, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and Powerpoint), databases, spreadsheets including data management;
 • Financial and payroll software systems;
 • Research methods and techniques; and
 • Office safety practices, procedures and standards.
 
Ability to:
 • Process financial data and make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately;
 • Analyze and interpret financial and accounting records;
 • Interpret and apply administrative and departmental policies, laws and rules;
 • Understand basic algebraic relationships;
 • Evaluate situations, identify problems, make logical decisions and follow through on resolution;
 • Research, analyze and investigate work related issues;
 • Operate standard office equipment;
 • Use personal computers and applicable software;
 • Interact with City employees on various accounting related issues;
 • Provide excellent customer service;
 • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of    
   work;
 • Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals;
 • Communicate clearly, tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing;
 • Understand, follow and carry out oral and written instructions;
 • Spell correctly and use proper English grammar;
 • Perform tasks without being told, working in the best interest of the City;
 • Effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload, and meet strict deadlines;
 • Analyze work processes and suggest work improvements;
 • Using computer applications, prepare spreadsheets, memos and procedural documentation;
 • Type from clear copy at a net rate of not less than 25 words per minute on a computer    keyboard; and
 • Walk or stand for extended periods of time and bend, stoop, reach, carry, climb, and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties.
 
Additional Information: 
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applications must be filled out completely (i.e. do not write “see resume or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Resume Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. This position is continuous or open until filled: Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis for consideration to the position.  If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.
 
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.