ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT chez City of Visalia, CA

About the Department

The City of Visalia is recruiting for Accounting Assistant. Positions may be assigned to either the City's Finance Department or Parks & Recreation Department depending on operational needs.  Please click here for the recruitment announcement. 

THE DEPARTMENT
The Finance Department oversees the City's fiscal operations, including budgeting, accounting, auditing, purchasing, utility billing, and other financial services under the direction of the Finance Director. The Parks & Recreation Department provides recreational, educational, and cultural services, and manages the City’s parks, trails, urban forestry, and related facilities. In either assignment, the Accounting Assistant will perform financial and administrative support duties under the supervision of a designated financial professional.

Position Duties

THE POSITION
The primary responsibilities of this position include:

• Processes daily Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable incoming mail which includes invoices or payments.
• Answers phones, takes credit card and cash payments, and reviews account information to answer customer questions.
• Prepares the daily deposit.
• Generates and issues invoices or payments to vendors, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Accurately posts payments and performs account reconciliations.
• Prepares aged receivables for outstanding payments.
• Ensures accurate vendor records, including banking information and tax documents (ex: W-9s)
• Communicates with departments, vendors, and citizens addressing inquiries and resolving payment discrepancies.
• Purchases supplies which includes ordering and stocking; Ensures supplies are available when needed.
• Processes all outgoing mailings in a timely manner.
• Ensures compliance with statutory regulations, tax requirements, 1099 standards, accounting standards, City policies, and audit compliance
• Updates and maintains spreadsheets, databases, reports, and forms.
• May be required to manage front counter or be back-up to counter.

Minimum Qualifications

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for this position will be a self-motivated, detail-oriented team player, who likes to stay busy.  Must have strong organizational skills, capable of managing multiple accounts simultaneously, and understand basic accounting principles.  The successful candidate will possess the ability to organize and prioritize various duties to meet deadlines.   Daily public contact will require strong public service and communication skills (written and oral).  Candidate shall be proficient in Excel and Word and be able to type a minimum 45 wpm.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skill and ability is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skill and abilities would be:

• One year of accounting experience.
• Previous experience in billing, cash receipts and collections is desirable, but not required. 

Other Qualifications

SELECTION PROCESS
Application and supplemental materials will be evaluated and applicants who appear to be most qualified will be invited to participate in a job related interview and/or examination process. Successful candidates may be required to pass a background, physical examination, and/or drug screen.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The City of Visalia offers a competitive total compensation package that includes:
Monthly Salary: $4,534 - $5,700  
CalPERS Retirement Program
Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Longevity Pay
Tuition Reimbursement
Onsite City Health and Wellness Clinic (no out of pocket expense)

Review the Benefits tab for more information.

EXPERIENCE VISALIA. ENHANCE YOUR LIFE. 
If work-life balance is important to you, consider living in a thriving community that offers the most affordable housing in California with a typical commute time of less than 20 minutes. With a population of over 146,000, Visalia offers small town charm with metropolitan amenities.  Visalia has a world class health care system, our own Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, a flourishing arts community, a minor league baseball team, a downtown convention center, and numerous fine dining establishments.
 
As the Tulare County seat, Visalia is the principal retail center in the region, and home to several large industrial employers. Visalia has a vibrant downtown district, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, institutions for higher learning, and low cost of living.  The City has many community parks, organized team sports, a municipal golf course and private country club, a multi-sport family-oriented regional sports park, and numerous outdoor and recreational activities.
 
Located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, Visalia offers easy access to the nearby mountains, national parks, lakes and rivers which provide year-round opportunities for sports and recreation within an hour or less. Visalia was ranked as the top Central Valley community and one of seven California cities in the top 25 of Gallup Sharecare's latest State of American Well Being Index. Our strong sense of community and social well-being keeps Visalians happy, healthy, and moving forward.  Come discover all Visalia has to offer!  

The City of Visalia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.