Accounting Assistant - Entry

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn!

Placer County is currently accepting applications for all levels of the Accounting Assistant/Technician. Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications. To be eligible

Accounting Assistant - Entry #2023-12402-01

Accounting Assistant - Journey #2023-12403-01

Accounting Assistant - Senior #2023-12404-01

Accounting Technician #2023-12406-01

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees, including:

• Deferred compensation
• $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to employee
• CalPERS retirement plans
• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year, 2 of which are floating holidays*
• Vacation leave: 10 days/year with ability to accrue 25 days/year
• Cafeteria plan: 6% of employee’s salary will be contributed towards employee to use towards 401(k), dependent care, medical co-insurance, or cash
• Bilingual incentive: incumbents may be eligible for bilingual incentive pay depending upon operational needs and certification of proficiency.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available for employees and dependents
• Sick leave: 12 days/year*
• Education allowance: up to $1,200 per year
• Retiree medical insurance

• Amounts will be prorated for part-time employees and employees hired after the first of the year.

The information above represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire about the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department. For a detailed listing of benefits, please

To perform difficult and responsible clerical accounting and financial work in support of specific assigned functional areas which may include accounts receivable, accounts payable, department payroll processing, treasury, and tax billing and collections; to perform financial recordkeeping and prepare statistical records; to reconcile financial and budget reports with source documents; to process financial and statistical documents; to receive and reconcile revenues and disbursements; and to receive and respond to questions from County staff, outside agencies and the public.

This is the entry level class in the Accounting Assistant series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. The Accounting Assistant – Entry class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of less than the full range of duties assigned to the journey level. Incumbents work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks, progressing to general supervision as procedures and processes of assigned area of responsibility are learned.

Receives immediate supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel and may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Accounting Assistant.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Keep ledger accounts; balance accounts; review, identify and correct irregularities; assist with collections of delinquent accounts.
• Receive financial or statistical documents; screen for accuracy and adherence to legal and procedural requirements; carry out proper steps to ensure or authorize payments and delivery; post to records, check and balance totals.
• Perform clerical accounting, financial or bookkeeping work associated with the maintenance of journals and subsidiary ledgers, payroll, treasury, tax billing and collections, general ledgers, accounts receivable, accounts payable, fiscal controls and similar financial records.
• May contact other governmental agencies, private agencies and County employees to obtain information for and clarify financial/statistical records and transactions.
• Receive and process a variety of payments at the front counter; review customer information for accuracy and research account status; generate receipt and respond to customer questions.
• Classify and post expenditures, revenues or authorizations to the appropriate budgetary or ledger accounts; maintain records of postings; and reconcile to financial reports.
• Meet with the public to obtain data, interpret information and answer questions; prepare routine correspondence to answer questions, request information or provide explanations.
• Operate standard office equipment including word processing applications as assigned; may perform duties on computer spreadsheet programs; operate stand alone computer software programs as related to assigned area.
• Assist in preparing budget estimates; prepare trial balances, recapitulations, balance sheets and complex statistical and financial reports.
• Track and monitor contracts and insurance; create and/or make changes to supplier records, contract encumbrances and amendments.
• Prepare periodic statements and analyses of statistical and financial records related to area of assignment.
• Prepare, review and approve cash, credit card and check receipts; perform account adjustments; reconcile and process refunds and overpayments.
• Assist with the collection of delinquent accounts.
• Classify and post expenditures, revenues or authorizations to the appropriate budgetary or ledger accounts; maintain records of postings; and reconcile to financial reports.
• Make computations and changes to financial and statistical data, apply standard formulas or predetermined guides; assemble financial and statistical data from a variety of sources and prepare or assist in preparing financial and statistical reports.
• Prepare complex financial or statistical reports and summaries independently; recommend improvements in financial recordkeeping procedures and systems.
• Assist in the conduct of accounting and statistical studies and compute cost and revenue estimates.
• May process time records and prepare payroll and related records.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Keep ledger accounts; balance accounts; review, identify and correct irregularities; assist with collections of delinquent accounts.
• Collect and track a variety of data; prepare invoices, billings and/or claims and balance accounts; maintain customer/client accounts. Receive and review tax documentation.
• Review and process department payroll ensuring accuracy; research and correct errors; process leave requests; and respond to questions from department staff.
• Process accounts payable involving the review and coding of invoices to appropriate contracts; verify materials are received and charges are accurate; monitor contracts to ensure sufficient funds for payment.
• Research, verify and process warrant reissues.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Assist in the conduct of accounting and statistical studies and compute cost and revenue estimates.

• Order and maintain inventories of office supplies
• May be required to deliver or pick up records, receipts and other information within the County from other departments, divisions or agencies.

Knowledge of:

• Methods, practices and terminology used in financial and statistical recordkeeping.
• Principles and practices of computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets and database packages
• Arithmetic calculations related to statistical and financial record keeping.
• Principles and practices of filing and record keeping.

Ability to:

• Use modern office equipment and computers.
• Make arithmetic calculations rapidly and accurately.
• Understand and carry out both oral and written directions.
• Verify and check files and data.
• Learn the organization, procedures and operating details of the County Department to which assigned.
• Communicate effectively in writing and speaking.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Post financial and statistical records.
• Intermittently, review documents related to Department operations; observe, identify and problem-solve office operations and procedures; understand, interpret and explain Department policies and procedures; explain operations and problem solve office issues for the public and with staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and fellow employees of the County.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and/or stand at counter for long periods of time. Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; lift light weight.

Online Examination (100%) - Tentatively Scheduled for the Week of June 12, 2023

After the posted filing deadline, qualified candidates will receive a notification via email when the examination is available. The online examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

Note: Candidates will have approximately three (3) calendar days from the date of notification to complete the online examination. Only one attempt will be permitted.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

Week of 5/29/23 Minimum Qualifications Screening

Week of 6/12/23 Online Examination

Week of 6/19/23 Establish Eligible List

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Preciosa Ayala-Burkhardt, Administrative Technician, at [email protected] or (530) 886-4637.