Assistant Supervisor Financial Accounting - Somerville District Court

Pay Grade: Grade 16S | Salary Range: $69,397.90 – $102,281.40 | Starting Pay: $69,397.90 (union position; all new hires start at entry level per OPEIU Local 6 CBA/MOA).

About the role

As a gateway to justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the District Court is dedicated to the administration of justice in a fair, impartial and timely manner in accordance with the rule of law. The court provides communities with an environment that is safe, accessible and respectful to all, conducting business with integrity, competence and a commitment to excellence to promote public trust and confidence in the judicial system.

This position performs bookkeeping duties for an assigned court, overseeing collection of all monies and checks, processing disbursements, daily and monthly posting, maintaining trial balances, balancing court bank accounts, and preparing reports for the Clerk‑Magistrate, Registers of Probate, and Chief Probation Officer. The role functions in a supervisory capacity over staff collecting payments and may perform administrative and case processing duties as needed. Works under the direction of a Department Head or designee.

Responsibilities

• Supervises assigned personnel, including assigning and reviewing work and providing guidance.
• Prepares, reconciles, and distributes monthly/quarterly statements and financial reports for the department.
• Prepares financial reports and serves as point of contact for financial audit inspections.
• Serves as point of contact with Administrative Offices, financial institutions/banks, and external agencies regarding accounting issues.
• Closes financial books, runs daily reports, and makes bank deposits.
• Answers incoming calls and provides information on money‑related inquiries.
• Completes end‑of‑month closing process and disburses all revenues and other funds to appropriate entities, including processing restitution and other fees.
• Reconciles all revenues collected daily; checks balances against accounting receipt records and docket information.
• Trains other office staff on fiscal functions including cashiering, backup bookkeeping, and fiscal policies/procedures.
• Coordinates accounting for bail money, including recording money received, returned, or forfeited.
• May prepare reminder letters and warrant notifications to individuals who owe money.
• Maintains bank accounts related to civil and criminal matters.
• Creates, amends, and maintains fiscal controls and protocols.
• Performs duties of the Case Administrator classification as needed.
• May perform duties of supervisory classifications as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• Associate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four (4) years of related work experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Skills & Competencies

Knowledge of

• Modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software (e.g., Microsoft Excel).
• Departmental and court policies and procedures.
• Basic procedures of accounting and bookkeeping.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision.

Skill in

• Organization and time management.
• Attention to detail.
• Proficiency in standard accounting and bookkeeping principles.
• Customer service.
• Data entry.
• Multi‑tasking / prioritization of work.
• Leadership.

Ability to

• Establish effective working relationships with others.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports.
• Maintain appropriate records.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Work independently and follow oral and written instructions.
• Resolve financial discrepancies.

Supervisory responsibility

This position serves as a supervisor to others.

Working conditions & physical demands

Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments. Light work: exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.