COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR - COLLECTOR - ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST

About the role

The County Tax Assessor-Collector is responsible for performing clerical accounting functions in accordance with standard policies and procedures. This role involves reconciling accounting spreadsheets and bank accounts, posting information to general or subsidiary ledgers, processing payments and cash receipts, and preparing accounting reports.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine clerical and administrative accounting functions that require application of basic standard bookkeeping and accounting theories, principles and techniques, and require the appropriate skill levels including basic skill levels in computer, analytical and communication skills;
• Receives, processes and records cash, check or fund payments; verifies amount received is correct, issues receipt and enters and records transactions into accounting system; computes charges and refunds; identifies delinquent accounts and insufficient payments; responds to accounting inquiries and prepares and issues related correspondence;
• Establishes and maintains a variety of accounts, including posting receipts, disbursements and other accounting transactions to appropriate ledgers and journals; verifies receipts and/or cash register tapes to checks and cash received, identifies errors, and makes necessary corrections; reconciles account ledgers and ensures that accounts balance;
• Prepares deposits to send to bank; processes checks returned for insufficient funds for collection and makes necessary adjustments to accounting records;
• Accepts receipts and cash delivered by armored car from satellite offices; provides distribution to appropriate personnel;
• Verifies cash advances to offices; may provide sales tax payments to the state Comptroller’s Office;
• Reconciles simple bank statements, ledger balances and other accounting transactions; refers problem transactions to higher level staff for assistance and problem resolution; maintains a filing system of canceled checks, bank statements and other documentation;
• Maintains a log for accountability; obtains signatures on forms; submits to agency;
• Aids internal and external auditors with requested information;
• Researches cases; makes necessary investments or releases funds; ensures accuracy;
• Serves as the initial point of phone, email, or personal contact for participants, outside agencies, other County departments and the general public concerning inquiries or complaints about a specific program and/or its services; researches information; make appropriate referrals for assistance;
• Ensures compliance with established procedures and resolves problems pertaining to customers concerns;
• Ensures proper documentation is provided by the customer in order to process requests;
• Receives appropriate fees; ensures that all information on check(s) is in compliance with check acceptance policy; records all pertinent information in order to cross reference transaction with valid identification and receipts;
• Is responsible for handling large amounts of money and balancing daily monies (cash, checks, and credit card transactions) to receipts at close out;
• Provides information to customers on all phases of service provided.

Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma with two (2) years of college accounting or bookkeeping or a closely related field which includes a specialization in accounting coursework, to include two (2) years clerical type work in an office environment with cash handling experience. Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Certificates, Licenses, and other Requirements: Depending on area assigned, may require Deputy Clerk deputizing, AOP certification, a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso, and a personal mobile smart device by the hire start date.

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Financial systems; basic accounting principles; processes of accounts payable and receivable; Texas Local Government Code; laws, regulations, methods, and processes associated with treasury activities; related banking operations and practices; of financial record keeping methods, terminology and processes; basic accounting, money handling; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.
• Skills/Abilities: Make arithmetical computations quickly and accurately; interpret and apply appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations; prepare reports; to post data, balance and reconcile accounts; and perform accurate calculations; plan and execute work both independently and as a team member; display a high degree of self-motivation; understand report writing and statistics; time management; work expeditiously and accurately under pressure; use various types of scanner; use 10-dey calculator; learn coding; operate standard office equipment which may include computers and calculators; communicate, read, understand and follow written and oral instructions; use computerized accounting systems; prepare data in proper format for data entry; understand and maintain financial accounting files or other record systems; recognize and correct computational errors; accurately compare, post and transfer numbers; understand transactions in terms of accounting codes and classifications; prepare routine and special financial reports; communicate effectively by phone or in person; learn County accounting systems; understand the various accounts payable division processes; have organizational skills, interpersonal skills, analytical and problem solving; have computer skills to include spreadsheets and word processing programs ;time management skills to meet deadlines; multitask and work under time constraints; operate general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; be dependable and self-motivated; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; pass a Criminal Background Check.