El Monte City School District Position Description
Position: Senior Accounting Technician Position Number:
Department/Site: Finance FLSA: Non-exempt
Evaluated by: Accounting Manager Salary Grade: 17
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Summary

Prepares accurate budget and financial information. Performs budget maintenance functions such as collecting and providing accurate and timely information on expenditures influencing budgets, account allocations, and gathering data for reports.

Distinguishing Career Features

The Senior Accounting Technician represents the third level in a multi-tiered career path for financial record keeping. Accounting Clerk is the entry level position focuses on accounting data entry and administration of single set of accounts. Accounting Technician is the second level. Advancement to Accounting Technician requires the ability to process financial transactions, maintain budgets and records, and prepare financial summaries within a single organizational unit. The Senior Accounting Technician requires the ability to administer budgets impacting multiple organizational units. Advancement to this position requires a level of accounting knowledge equivalent to attainment of an Associates Degree and a demonstration of competency in assembling budget documents, performing budgetary research, and monitoring expenditures. Advancement to Accounting Analyst requires expertise in categorical financial management and the ability to prepare financial feasibility studies and performance reports. Advancement to Staff Accountant requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and the ability to perform a full range of general ledger accounting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assists with certain aspects of the budget development process for categorical, special, and general funds. Participates in certain aspects of its preparation, such as collection of historical expenditure data.

Prepares and distributes documents and schedules to support the budget planning and development process. Provides training and technical assistance to support research and preparation of department and program budgets.

Assists in the preparation of periodic financial statements and categorical reports used by advisory/regulatory groups and administrators. Assists in preparing program, project, and budget-related presentation materials for the Board and other advisory groups.

Prepares line item transfers. Reviews expenses for compliance with applicable standards, rules and regulations, and approved budgets. May monitor expenditures of funds carried over from prior fiscal periods.

Participates with input of budget data using established procedures. Enters pre-encumbered funds onto an automated accounting system using a data entry screen.

Analyzes budget reports to assure expenditures do not exceed appropriations.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the regulations and reporting requirements and procedures connected with categorical, special and general fund programs. Provides technical assistance to staff on financial matters relating to programs.

Interprets and administers the policies, rules and regulations established the Board, including accounting controls established by the District’s Finance department. Works with departments, programs, and sites to complete financial transactions with established parameters.

May maintain a portion of the District’s job control system, as it relates to specific funds. Monitors allocation of jobs to assure compliance with special fund requirements.

Provides technical support to departments accessing computerized accounting systems and databases that contain financial and statistical information.

Prepares elements of Federal, State and local financial reports relating to the assigned area of responsibility.

Provides assistance to other accounting staff on an as-needed basis to balance fluctuations in workflow.

Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills: The position requires considerable knowledge of generally accepted procedures for budget preparation and control. Requires working knowledge of generally accepted financial processes and programs and of laws, codes, and regulations applying to assigned financial operations. Requires a working knowledge of audit documentation requirements. Requires a working knowledge of automated accounting systems and relational databases. Requires a basic knowledge of the practices and techniques in accumulating cost accounting information, including allocation of accounting data to determine standard costs or rates. Requires a working knowledge of the financial management, control, and reporting processes associated with restricted funds. Requires well-developed math skills to perform accounting and statistical computations. Requires sufficient language skills to prepare reports suitable for external publishing. Requires well-developed human relations skills to explain technical information to others.

Abilities: Requires the ability to perform the essential responsibilities and work tasks of the position. Must be able to prepare complex analyses and write reports which adequately communicate problems and solutions. Must be able to organize and prioritize work in order to meet rigid schedules and budget timelines. Requires the ability to provide one-on-one and small group discussion, and otherwise work with a wide range of contacts including administrative staff, advisory groups, and peers. Requires ability to initiate and conduct technical research, complete complex arithmetic, algebraic and statistical computations, solve highly technical problems associated with financial transactions.

Physical Abilities: Requires sufficient hand-eye-arm coordination to use a keyboard and 10-key plus arm/hand movements to retrieve work materials and operate a variety of general office equipment. Requires visual acuity to read words and numbers. Requires auditory ability to carry on conversations over the phone and in person.

Education and Experience: The position requires an Associates Degree in accounting or finance or equivalent plus four years of relevant and progressively responsible experience in municipal accounting, budgeting, or closely related field.

Licenses and Certificates: May require a valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office environment with minimal exposure to health and safety considerations.