Accounting Technician

This is a limited recruitment. This recruitment will remain open until either the first 250 applications have been submitted or until the filing deadline, whichever occurs first.  

This recruitment will be used to fill both open and promotional vacancies in various County departments as they arise, subject to specific position requirements and CEO approval.

The current vacancy is in the Sheriff's Office Fiscal Unit; however, this list may be used to fill vacant positions in other county departments, subject to approval.

To perform and supervise technical, sub-professional, accounting, finance and fiscal recordkeeping; and to prepare and review financial and statistical records.

This is the full journey level technical accounting class.  Employees within this class are distinguished from the Account Clerk series by the performance of work that typically requires specialized college-level training in accounting and finance rather than bookkeeping, by performing a broad range of duties as assigned and typically including responsibility for a program area of accounting and/or supervision of Account Clerks.  Employees 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.
 
This class is distinguished from the Accountant–Auditor series in that the latter is a professional level, requiring completion of a Bachelor's Degree in accounting or a closely related field.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

May exercise supervision over Account Clerk classifications or general clerical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform and/or supervise the maintenance of journals and subsidiary ledgers, general ledgers, tax billing, accounts receivable and payable and similar accounting records.
• Personally perform technical, complex accounting and financial transactions and may supervise other personnel performing supporting bookkeeping, finance, or recordkeeping work.
• Prepare and maintain computerized financial spreadsheets on a personal computer for ledgers, trusts and statistical records; prepare reports from spreadsheets summarizing information and financial records.
• Classify receipts and expenditures and record them to the appropriate accounts, funds, trusts, etc.; reconcile ledgers and accounts.
• Balance financial information system controls; balance and post cash receipts, payments and registers; and balance various other statistical and financial transactions with source documents and controls.
• Plan, organize and supervise the work of Account Clerks and other clerical personnel.
• Perform tax default processing and collections.
• Compile statistical data and prepare reports or summaries for submission to other departments in the County or outside agencies.
• Interpret and apply County, State and Federal regulations concerning financial and statistical transactions and reports; prepare financial and statistical reports for submission to State and Federal agencies.
• Meet with the public to obtain data, interpret information and answer questions; prepare correspondence independently to answer questions, request information, or provide explanations.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience: Two years of responsible journey level experience performing duties similar to an Account Clerk – Journey with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level coursework in accounting or a related field.

License or Certificate: May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required. 

Knowledge of:

• Principles and procedures of accounting and finance, and their application to governmental financial transactions.
• The application and operation of common word processing and spreadsheet software used on personal computers.
• Modern office procedures, practices, systems and equipment as applied to accounting and financial recordkeeping operations.
• Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations affecting accounting and assigned areas of responsibility in Placer County.
• Principles and techniques of supervision and training.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk and/or stand at a counter for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; run errands; lift light weight.
• Intermittently, review documents related to Department operations; observe, identify and solve problems of office operations and procedures; understand, interpret and explain Department policies and procedures; explain operations and problem solve office issues for the public and with staff.
• Plan, assign and supervise the work of others.
• Perform complex and varied accounting and financial recordkeeping.
• Operate a 10-key adding machine by touch.
• Prepare complex financial reports and statements.
• Apply accounting principles to the maintenance of accounting, financial and payroll transactions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and fellow employees of the County.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate effectively in writing and speaking.

Written Examination (100%) 

The written examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit