Financial Services Specialist

About the role

The City of Yakima Finance Division seeks an energetic and motivated team player with a strong bookkeeping/accounting background to join the team. The position involves performing responsible, moderately complex financial recordkeeping and related clerical tasks.

Responsibilities

• Greets the public by phone or in person; provides information regarding the work unit; routes calls and visitors; takes messages and complaints.
• Maintains and establishes computerized and manual records; prepares reports, letters, fiscal documents; proofreads and corrects errors.
• Sorts and processes mail, invoices, receipts, purchase orders, disbursement requests, statements, travel authorizations and/or other documents; reconciles discrepancies with vendors and departments.
• Processes requisitions for departments; issues accounts payable warrants/checks; maintains time, attendance and related payroll records; monitors bank accounts; processes bank deposits; maintains ledgers; issues refunds.
• Communicates with staff of other departments; assists in identifying and correcting transmittal discrepancies; provides technical assistance and support; explains policies and procedures; trains new employees.
• Operates varied office or specialized equipment in conjunction with work such as a computer, calculator, copy machine, cash register, fax machine, scanner and others.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent and eighteen (18) months of business financial recordkeeping, bookkeeping, and/or accounting experience.
• Completion of Technical/Vocational, Associate's or Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or related field may substitute for the work experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of and proficiency in modern office practices and procedures; moderately complex business arithmetic; standard clerical, accounting and bookkeeping principles and practices; State of Washington BARS accounting system; and records retention policies and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, and City policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of: computer spreadsheets; databases; industry applications; Microsoft Office Suite Outlook, Word, and Excel; and office equipment; and computerized municipal financial management practices.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills are essential.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, with employees, members of the public representing diverse educational levels and backgrounds, and with officials at all levels of government utilizing well developed communication skills, both written and oral, with appropriate use of business English, and plain English, including but not limited to correct grammar, vocabulary, letter composition, editing, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to: computer, fax machine, copy machine, telephone etc.
• Must be able to distinguish color and maintain long-term and short-term memory.
• May work in a noisy work area.

Skills

• Proficiency in modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in moderately complex business arithmetic.
• Standard clerical, accounting and bookkeeping principles and practices.
• State of Washington BARS accounting system.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, and City policies and procedures.
• Computer spreadsheets; databases; industry applications; Microsoft Office Suite Outlook, Word, and Excel; and office equipment.
• Computerized municipal financial management practices.
• Effective communication skills, both written and oral, with appropriate use of business English, and plain English, including but not limited to correct grammar, vocabulary, letter composition, editing, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to: computer, fax machine, copy machine, telephone etc.
• Ability to distinguish color and maintain long-term and short-term memory.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage.
• Free healthcare clinic.
• WA State PERS pension plan.
• 2% contribution to a 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Leave accruals: Vacation – Starting at 7.67 hours/month; Sick – 8 hours/month; Personal holiday – 2 days; Observed holiday – 11 holidays.
• Up to 5% bilingual/biliterate English/Spanish special pay.
• Life Insurance.

Pay

The pay range listed for this position is established through the City of Yakima’s Master Pay Ordinance in accordance with the Municipal Code and/or the applicable collective bargaining agreement. New employees generally start at step A with progression through the steps based on merit and successful performance evaluation. City of Yakima employees are paid and accrue benefits on a monthly basis. This position is covered by the AFSCME Municipal collective bargaining unit.