Financial Assistant - Accounts Payable in San Luis Obispo, California at City of San Luis Obispo

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, so please hold that date.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

The successful candidate would be an individual who possesses the following attributes: Accurate, organized, ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, active team collaborator, ability to effectively communicate, ability to meet weekly deadlines, ability to learn quickly, and ability to work efficiently. They are committed to providing excellent customer service while interacting with patience, professionalism, and compassion.

An ideal candidate would have enough proven accounts payable experience to thrive in a fast-paced, structured environment. They are comfortable managing a high-volume workload while maintaining a high level of accuracy. They can perform the recurring weekly accounts payable check run process on time. Some of the duties of this position are provided here:

A successful candidate will have strong experience with Microsoft Office software, general computer skills, and be comfortable using multiple software systems simultaneously.

JOB SUMMARY:
Performs a variety of routine financial support activities, which may include processing accounts payable, entering and retrieving data, reviewing credit card and travel-related expenses, answering questions from vendors and City employees, and other related work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
Employees in this classification perform routine financial clerical functions that require attention to detail. Incumbents with basic clerical experience learn departmental policies, procedures, and practices, and as experience is gained, duties are performed with greater independence. Duties are learned in a brief period of time, are clearly defined, and have established guidelines. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. This class may also be used for temporary or part-time staffing, as determined by the needs of the City.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives general supervision from departmental management, supervisory, or professional staff.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Processes accounts payable transactions, which includes receiving, reviewing, verifying, and processing invoices, bills, grants, refunds, and statements; ensures that invoices are accurate, coded to the correct account, and have the required authorization.
• Reviews credit card and travel-related expenses, ensuring that items are charged to the correct expenditure accounts.
• Enters, edits, updates, verifies, and retrieves data according to established standards and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains records and files following an established records management system.
• Operates standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications.
• Assists with other routine financial and clerical activities as needed.
• Provides assistance and information to the public, vendors, and City employees.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and procedures of bookkeeping and accounting.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment.
• Correct business English, including vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Computer applications and systems related to the work, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database management applications, and enterprise resource planning systems.
• Standard business arithmetic.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public, vendors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of routine financial support duties following standard guidelines.
• Learn and use specialized software related to the Finance Department.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate in both oral and written forms effectively, positively, and tactfully.
• Work efficiently as part of a team and independently.
• Learn methods, principles, and practices of financial and statistical recordkeeping.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Interact courteously with co-workers, vendors, and the public in a manner that projects a positive image of the City and the Finance Department.
• Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.
• Enter data and file with speed and accuracy.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Equivalent to graduation from high school;
and
One year of bookkeeping or general clerical experience.
or
Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting (DOJ)