Account Clerk - Senior

The established eligible list created by this recruitment may be used in the future to fill extra help and or permanent positions should vacancies arise, with the approval from the County Executive Officer.

Extra Help/temporary assignments are not eligible for benefits and are limited to working 28 hours per week with a fiscal year cap of 1000 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants. Extra Help appointments may be eligible for transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise, with the approval from the County Executive Officer.

To perform the most difficult and complex clerical accounting, financial and statistical recordkeeping work; to perform work requiring specialized accounting knowledge, abilities, skills and experience; and may provide technical and functional supervision of Account Clerks and other clerical personnel.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Account Clerk series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing the duties and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series requiring specialized knowledge, abilities, skills and experience and may provide technical and functional lead supervision over Account Clerk classes.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over Account Clerk and clerical positions.

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, requiring specialized technical, functional or programmatic knowledge.
• Personally perform the most technical, complex clerical recordkeeping transactions and may supervise other personnel providing supporting bookkeeping 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.
• Assist in the interpretation of County, State and Federal regulations concerning financial and statistical transactions and reports; prepare financial and statistical reports for submission to State and Federal agencies.
• Prepare periodic statements and analyses of statistical and financial records related to area of assignment.
• Conduct accounting and statistical studies and compute cost and revenue estimates.
• Classify and post expenditures, revenues, or authorizations to the appropriate budgetary or ledger accounts; maintain records of postings; and reconcile to financial reports.
• Keep ledger accounts and collection accounts, balance accounts; review, identify and correct irregularities.
• Receive financial or statistical documents; screen for accuracy and adherence to legal and procedural requirements; carry out proper steps to ensure or authorize payments; deliver documents, post to records, check and balance totals.
• Make computations and changes to financial and statistical data, apply standard formulas or predetermined guides; assemble financial and statistical data from a variety of sources and prepare or assist in preparing financial and statistical reports.
• Contact other governmental agencies, private agencies and County employees to obtain information for and clarify financial or statistical records and transactions.
• Prepare complex financial or statistical reports and summaries independently; recommend improvements in financial recordkeeping procedures and systems.
• Prepare budget estimates; prepare trial balances, recapitulations, balance sheets and complex statistical and financial reports.
• Meet with the public to obtain data, interpret information and answer questions; prepare correspondence 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 and Training

Any combination of experience and training 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 journey level experience performing duties similar to an Account Clerk – Journey with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.  Additional specialized training in bookkeeping, accounting or a related field is desirable.

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 practices of bookkeeping and statistical recordkeeping.
• Common word processing and spreadsheet software used on a personal computer.
• Modern office practices and procedures.
• Arithmetic calculations related to statistical recordkeeping.
• 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 desk and/or stand at 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 problem-solve 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, review and coordinate the work of others.
• Perform complex and varied statistical and financial recordkeeping, requiring specialized technical, functional or programmatic knowledge.
• Prepare complex financial reports and statements in accordance with predetermined requirements.
• Operate a 10-key adding machine by touch.
• Review financial or statistical documents; screen for accuracy and adherence to legal and procedural requirements; carry out proper steps to ensure or authorize payments and delivery, post to records, check and balance totals.
• Apply accounting, financial and statistical recordkeeping principles to the maintenance of statistical, accounting, financial and payroll transactions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

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.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met. Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

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

04/16/2015 Minimum Qualifications Screening 
04/17/2015 Conviction History Questionnaire Notice to be sent 
04/20/2015 Conviction History Questionnaire Responses due 
05/06/2015 Tentative Exam Date