Accounting Technician at City of La Palma, CA

About the Department

This is an open recruitment to fill one future full-time vacancy. Applications will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASIS. Apply early. This position may close at any time without notice. First review October 20, 2025 The incumbent will enjoy working a 4/10 work schedule (Monday through Thursday). A 4% COLA increase is scheduled for July 1, 2026. The incumbent will enjoy a family environment and be a part of an enthusiastic work force that has its own spirit committee that facilitates monthly employee events. The incumbent will thrive working in this small culture environment allowing them to grow their knowledge, experience, resume, and prepare them for advancement by introducing them to a variety of finance related projects and responsibilities.

Come be a part of our family and see what makes La Palma a nice place to live and work!
Click here: Join our team! Under general supervision, provides paraprofessional accounting and utility billing support work; posts to general ledger; provides lead direction to other accounting clerical staff; performs related work as assigned. This class serves as the specialist level in the accounting support series and performs paraprofessional accounting work at the general and subsidiary ledger levels. This class is distinguished from the Sr. Account Clerk by its higher level of responsibility, more complex assignments and lead responsibilities. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: City of La Palma applications are required and can be obtained online at www.cityoflapalma.org. The Human Resources Office must receive completed applications, resumes, and supplemental questionnaires (if required) by the final filing date and time listed to be eligible for consideration. Facsimiles will not be accepted. Resumes will not, nor will references to a resume, be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. References to a resume on the application form may disqualify the application. SELECTION PROCESS: All applications will be screened and those candidates who present the most relevant qualifications and possess the required licenses and certificates for the position will be invited to continue in the selection process. The selection process may include testing and oral interviews. A Background Investigation, including a criminal record check may be required prior to any offer of employment. All appointments are subject to the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including a drug and alcohol screen). Should a qualified individual with disabilities need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the examination process, the City of La Palma must be notified no later than five working days prior to the scheduled examination date. The City of La Palma does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, or disability. Equal employment opportunity will apply to all personnel actions, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, training, transfers, promotions, evaluation, compensation, discipline, layoffs, terminations, and rehires. NOTE: All employees of the City of La Palma are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change.

Position Duties

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Maintains general and subsidiary ledgers, compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare journal entries to accounts, such as general ledger, water billing, accounts payable, cash receipts, fixed assets, and payroll; analyzes financial information detailing assets, liabilities and capital; prepares periodic current and projected financial reports as assigned. Performs complex arithmetic and financial calculations; provides information to the public and staff that requires the use of judgment and the interpretation of policies, rules or procedures. Compiles payroll data from time cards and other records; audits time records and various payroll related payments and deductions; inputs data to payroll system, posts to payroll records; prints checks, prepares disbursements for payroll deductions; calculates, prepares and arranges transfer of payments for federal and state taxes. Reviews wages computed and corrects errors to ensure accuracy of payroll; records changes affecting net wages such as exemptions, insurance coverage, and various payroll deductions for each employee to update master payroll records; prepares labor distribution to each department for cost accounting records; keeps records of leave pay and nontaxable wages. Ensures that City complies with payroll withholding, periodic tax payments and other payroll deductions, information reporting and other taxing authority requirements; prepares quarterly and annual reports for federal, state, worker's compensation, and issues W-2s and 1099 forms. Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger, water billing, accounts payable, cash receipts, fixed assets, payroll, and inventory documenting transactions; assists in reconciling general ledger to various reports; prepares periodic financial, statistical or operational reports as assigned. Performs a variety of general office support work such as organizing and maintaining various files, typing correspondence, reports, forms, and specialized documents, and proofreading and checking materials for accuracy, completeness and compliance with departmental policies and regulations. Provides back up to other office employees at front counters as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of: Financial record keeping and bookkeeping principles and practices; business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals; correct business English usage and standard formats for typed materials; basic business data processing principals and the use of word processing equipment and spreadsheet software; principles and operations of general purpose business computers; principles and methods of instructing computer users in the effective use of computers; standard office practices and procedures; data input and retrieval methods and procedures. Ability to: Organize, prioritize and co-ordinate work activities; accurately prepare, maintain and reconcile various complex financial, accounting, payroll, statistical, auditing and numerical records; read and interpret rules, policies and procedures; organize, research and maintain files and records; perform arithmetic calculations with speed and accuracy; understand, explain and apply complex rules and regulations; use initiative and sound judgment within established guidelines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. Education and/ or Experience Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Example combinations include equivalent to completion of two years of college with course work in accounting, business administration or a closely related field, and five years of responsible related experience including at least two of these areas: bookkeeping, customer billing, accounting and data processing support experience. Required Licenses and Certificates Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

Other Qualifications

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers to grasp and feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Incumbents perform sedentary work. Specific vision abilities required by these positions are those required to perform office machine operations. Work Environment Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

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