Finance Technician II

About the role

This position involves performing a variety of complex and responsible duties to prepare and maintain accounting, budget, and other fiscal records and data. Positions at this level are distinguished from other positions within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned.

Responsibilities

• Able to perform job functions of Finance Technician I.
• Process transactions while adhering to current practices prescribed by State, Federal and local law; the Washington State Auditor; the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor & Industries; as well as City policy.
• Receive, verify and analyze data; obtain signatures and budget coding; perform account maintenance; post data into computerized system; prepare reports.
• Develop spreadsheets on specific accounts in order to reconcile invoices and statements, Provide budget information or other account information to Department Managers and other staff as needed.
• Provide primary telephone and reception counter assistance. Assist in preparing special reports or projects requiring research, interpretation or analysis of statistical data.
• May be required to develop spreadsheets to track receipts and expenditures related to donations, drug seizure funds or other special revenue items.
• Track and verify the accuracy of the calculations for any monthly, quarterly, and annual payments of gambling and utility taxes and other fees. Follow-up on delinquent accounts as required.
• Perform monthly utility billing for all water, sewer and stormwater accounts. Receive and process cut in/cut out requests for establishing and/or ending utility services.
• Process and monitor utility payment arrangements and discounted utility rate applications. Prepare reports for meter reading by downloading information from handheld instruments, creating route reports and providing to the public works department.
• Prepare and maintain monthly billing reports and serve as back up to other technicians that may perform billing functions. Initiate the shut off process and coordinate with the public works department.
• Review account balances for delinquent accounts, send late notices and follow city policy in the collection of those accounts. Process refunds, account adjustments and write offs in accordance with city policy.
• Aid in the development and update of city utility billing policies, procedures, rates and programs.
• Prepare, mail and track payments for miscellaneous billings.

Requirements

• Knowledge of advanced office practices and procedures and ability to learn any new programs or equipment obtained by the City.
• Knowledge of cash basis accounting practices as directed by State Auditor BARS manual.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other City employees, citizen groups, elected officials, and the public in general.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and independently perform work assignments with infrequent supervision.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently under pressure with frequent interruptions and occasionally under competing requests.
• Ability to coordinate activities with other departments and work groups to provide a comprehensive service while presenting a positive image of the department and City.
• Ability to maintain sustained attention to detail and work under the pressure of strict guidelines.
• Ability to keep up to date on new and changing guidelines, and implement as necessary.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and timelines.
• Requires standard arithmetic ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide; ability to utilize decimals and percentages; and the ability to reconcile numbers.
• Requires enough physical ability to sit for prolonged periods of time and occasionally lift approximately twenty pounds, bend and reach.
• Must be skilled in the ability to read, analyze, and interpret government regulations; write reports and procedure manuals; communicate effectively and be able to present information and respond to questions from managers, vendors, customers and the general public.
• Must have ability to speak, write and understand the English language.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years’ experience in an accounts payable and/or accounts receivable work situation, preferably in municipal government.
• Customer service experience required.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and driving record acceptable to the City.
• Successfully pass background check.