Accounting Clerk

Full Job Description

Under close supervision, performs clerical accounting functions in accordance with standard policies and procedures.

Reconciles accounting spreadsheets and bank accounts, posts information to general or subsidiary ledgers, processes payments and cash receipts, and prepares accounting reports.

May carry out clerical accounting functions related to the collection of delinquent tax accounts or court fine and fee accounts to bring into compliance with the various property tax or criminal justice system laws, requirements and regulations.

This is the first in a series of a two clerical and paraprofessional accounting-related job classifications within the Finance job family.

Incumbents typically perform routine clerical and administrative accounting functions that require application of basic standard bookkeeping and accounting theories, principles and techniques, and require the appropriate skill levels including basic skill levels in computer, analytical and communication skills.

This classification typically performs duties at a department or office level. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

• Provides quality customer service.
• Assists with disbursement and armored car services.

Receives, processes and records cash, check or fund payments. Verifies amount received is correct, issues receipt and enters and records transactions into accounting system.

Computes charges and refunds. Identifies delinquent accounts and insufficient payments. Responds to accounting inquiries and prepares and issues related correspondence.

Establishes and maintains a variety of accounts, including posting receipts, disbursements and other accounting transactions to appropriate ledgers and journals.

Verifies receipts and/or cash register tapes to checks and cash received, identifies errors, and makes necessary corrections. Reconciles account ledgers and ensures that accounts balance.

Prepares deposits to send to bank. Executes wire transfer slips or prepares deposits for submission to County Treasurer. Verifies completion of funds transactions to appropriate entity.

Processes checks returned for insufficient funds for collection and makes necessary adjustments to accounting records.

• Receives, processes and verifies purchase orders for payment of bills. Processes and reviews invoices for payment. May prepare purchase order or check to vendor, call vendors for quotes, enter requisitions, and receive items into the financial system.

Reconciles simple bank statements, ledger balances and other accounting transactions. Refers problem transactions to higher level staff for assistance and problem resolution.

Maintains a filing system of canceled checks, bank statements and other documentation.

May monitor funds or line item budget balances and expenditures to ensure budget does not exceed budgeted line items.

• Prepares periodic financial reports reflecting receipts, disbursements, ledger balances and other accounting transactions. Collects, analyzes and summarizes accounting information. Produces various spreadsheets and reports using established or other formats.

May specialize in collection of delinquent court fines and fees, including receiving payments, determining appropriate accounts to apply payment, posting monies to accounts and tracking in automated system, communicating basic information to clients, preparing and sending collections correspondence, and compiling daily collections reports for supervisory review.

May also include interviewing and communicating with defendants regarding financial status, calculating fees and investigating, evaluating and verifying applications for extension of time for payment of fines and/or court costs.

May negotiate and grant or deny an application based on defendant's financial resources.

May determine a payment schedule if an extension of time for payment is granted, distribute applications for extension of time for payment, establish and maintain a system for reviewing delinquency, monitor delinquent accounts, contact defendants regarding delinquent accounts and process for non-compliance.

May issue and mail notices on delinquent accounts.

• May prepare reports on delinquent accounts and other relevant information and submit for review and required action. May request that warrants be prepared based on court orders.
• May process and/or audit payroll, travel, or other administrative accounting transactions.
• May prepare and process Treasurer warrant funds. May process funds for State agencies and disbursements for outside jurisdictions.
• Maintains accounting controls and financial security by following policies and procedures and internal controls.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D. AND two (2) years of relevant bookkeeping/accounting experience;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
None required.

Preferred:
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standardized financial practices.
• Manual and automated systems relating to assigned function.
• Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Entering and reconciling financial data and reporting and monitoring ledger balances.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Process financial transactions.
• Follow standardized accounting policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-15 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm
Department: County Treasurer

Location: 700 Lavaca St., Austin, TX 78701

Criminal, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.