The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting principles and practices, payroll processing, preparation of monthly bank reconciliations, and account reconciliation. Furthermore, the ideal candidate will be a team player with a desire to grow professionally.

They must be experienced in ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing in accordance with State and Federal regulations, coordination and tracking of employee compensation and accruals as well as company benefits as they relate to personnel policies, and payroll tax reconciliation and report preparation. The ideal candidate must work collaboratively with City staff to ensure the proper recording, entry, and management of payroll data and must maintain personnel and payroll records and process paperwork for personnel actions, while keeping complete confidentiality of all records.

The candidate should understand how to conduct monthly bank reconciliations, ensuring that all financial transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled in company records. The candidate must know how to work closely with internal teams and external vendors to identify and resolve discrepancies, investigate issues, and provide insights to management for decision-making.

This position requires strong analytical and communication skills, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of accounting principles and reconciliation processes.

1. Verifies, posts and records a variety of financial transactions; prepares and maintains database, records and a variety of periodic and special financial, accounting and statistical reports.
2. Enters and retrieves information using standard word processing and spreadsheet software.
3. Reconciles transactions and data as directed; records changes and resolves differences, maintains the accuracy of the accounting and financial records.
4. Generates and assists in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial, summary and technical reports.
5. Performs complex and technical accounting work for cash control, accounts payable and receivable, and payroll.
6. Serves as a liaison for the Administrative Services Department with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings, as necessary; provides staff support to commissions, committees and task forces, as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
7. Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Assistant City Manager; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
8. Assists customers, departments, and employees by providing answers and information regarding specific account information, discrepancies and/or general accounting procedures; and updates related files and departments on action items.
9. Assists with special projects as required.
10. Reviews employee time records for accuracy and conformance with policy and procedures.
11. Records and keys employee hours worked, verifies data for pay period, and balances final payroll reports for each pay period.
12. Verifies tax returns related to payables and payroll matters, including retirement, workers compensation, wage assignment, retroactive pay, deferred compensation, insurance, and federal and state tax reporting.
13. Maintains and updates employee and payroll database and accumulated leave records.
14. Prepares payments relating to payroll and employee benefits.
15. Maintains purchasing functions by issuing purchase orders and verifying contract documentation.
16. Monitors and provides back-up for Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions.
17. Assists with cash management and investments.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:


LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver license and have a satisfactory driving record.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• Microsoft Office, computerized accounting systems and computer software and systems related to finance and payroll processes.
• Public agency finance and account functions, payroll processes and techniques; employee benefits programs and processes and the laws, rules, regulations, procedures and office practices related to the processing and recording of payroll and employee benefits transactions.
• Record keeping, information processing requirements and rules and policies related to the production of an employee payroll.
• Payroll reporting and payment requirements of various state and federal agencies and benefit providers.
• Principles and practices of auditing payroll documents.
• Record keeping and filing principles and practices.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of office equipment.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

SKILL IN:
• Interpreting, applying and explaining policies, procedures and regulations of accounting, payroll and employee benefits processes.
• Understanding and interpreting the principles, laws, rules, regulations and procedures involving payroll and employee record keeping functions.
• Reviewing payroll and other financial documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential payroll records.
• Reviewing, posting, balancing, reconciling and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Working closely with staff to maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and complex payroll issues and exercising sound independent judgment within procedural guidelines.
• Composing correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
• Establishing, maintaining and researching files.
• Making accurate arithmetic, financial and statistical computations.
• Organizing own work, setting priorities and meeting critical time deadlines.
• Entering and retrieving data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Using English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees those contacted in the course of the work.