COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE – ACCOUNTING GENERALIST

Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or equivalent and (2) two years of college accounting or booking keeping or a closely related field and two (2) years clerical, and/or money handling, or bookkeeping experience;

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required
None applicable for this position.

Typical Duties
Establishes, reviews, revises, and maintains controls on fiscal record keeping functions in an assigned division;

Compiles data and information for memorandums, reports, projects and/or presentations for county departments;

Follows guidelines and standard operating procedures and calendar deadlines;

Reviews, prepares, and processes financial transactions using the Financial System.

Reviews terms and conditions of contracts; submits billing; monitors and updates renewals; notifies departments of termination dates;

Examines, analyzes, verifies, prepares, processes and maintains log and folders on fiscal documents such as vouchers, warrants, requisitions, purchase orders, receiving records, payables, checks, and invoices; ensures that all funds received are distributed properly.

Receives, processes, and updates reports; submits to designated entity as required.

Assists with comparison reports; performs data entry; creates complex worksheets;

Develops complex rate or cost models;

Updates necessary documentation for billings and payments received; prepares supporting documentation; calculates amounts to be billed; submits billing for approval; updates logs; submits to appropriate division; mails invoices along with supporting documentation; contacts entities as needed.

Verifies transactions for accuracy; makes recommendations for adjustments.

Prepares trial balances, reconciliations, work sheets, and schedules;

Prepares, verifies, provides information on wire transfers; approves the electronic transfers and ensures back up is accurate.

Verifies paperwork is received, processed, filed and archived; maintains accounting records and history files.

As directed monitors and updates contract dates and informs departments of termination to contract;

Compiles statistical information, reports and data; assists with the preparation of financial reports; analyzes complex financial statements.

Processes, confirms and maintains accurate record of stop payment of County warrants and payroll checks.

Works closely with management of County departments, interpreting financial policy, providing recommendations, and solving financial problems of a complex and/or sensitive nature.

Assists in tracking of funds.

Files and makes copies of a variety of paperwork.

Performs research such as but not limited to: researching discrepancies, cash differences between the financial system and integral; status of checks.

Maintains and updates desk manuals of procedures and practices related to assigned activities.

Assists and responds to employees, retiree’s, retired employees, entities, and the public with inquiries on routine and non-routine; to include verification of employment, and open records request.

May assist in the development and improvement of department procedures.

Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions.

Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field.

Substitutes, if assigned, for immediate supervisor or coworkers during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations.

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Budget
Assists in the preparation of the County Budget; which includes but is not limited to: compiling budget information from departments; prepares reports for budget hearings; gathers performance measure data; assists in departmental recommendations; reviews amended budgetary or staffing requests and ensures the correct budget is reflected and that all supporting documentation is included. (i.e. reports, staffing tables, tax calendar, outstanding debt, outstanding contracts, pay scales, etc.)

Assists in the preparation of the GFOA Budget Package, which involves but is not limited to: modifying the outline/template of the document, understanding new application guidelines, compiling, researching and analyzing projects related to the department departmental goals, objectives, measures, strategic plans, and strategic maps, including financial reports and organizational effectiveness; assists with updating the charts, budget highlights, staffing data, and judging success sections.

Coordinates financial and budget reporting documents for use within the department via the department’s intranet, web site, and shared drive;

Treasury
Prepares and verifies daily bank balances report and makes sure all deposits submitted by treasury are timely posted by the bank.

Downloads bank accounts balances and prepares collateral verification reports.

Resolves and provides backup for questions regarding coding on deposit warrants.

Transmits manual checks through positive pay; signs manual checks;

Payroll
Assists and coordinates the process of the reconciliation and recording of the biweekly payroll and ensures appropriate wage/benefit cost distribution for general ledger purposes; verifies accuracy of timecards; this includes the Election Payroll.

Assists with auditing and verification of time cards for accuracy and compliance with various, policies, procedures, and FLSA.

Prepares hand drawn checks and makes corrections as necessary, to include: Court ordered settlement checks or an employee final check.

Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary
The Accounting Generalist under general supervision performs accounting functions requiring technical knowledge and the exercise of independent judgment to perform difficult and complex accounting or auditing work for the assigned divisions. In addition the incumbent provides continued support of the division and ensures that duties are conducted in compliance with all state statutes and county policies and procedures.

Additional Information
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: Texas Local Government Code, guidelines and policies regarding budgetary and financial matters; standard operating procedures; El Paso County regulations and policies; Treasury’s departmental policy; laws and regulations associated with treasury activities; related banking operations and practices; money handling; calendars; accounting and budgeting; contracts; Civil Service; Internal Revenue Service regulations; modern financial record keeping principles; procedures, methods, and terminology pertinent to public sector accounting office, including complex computerized financial systems; related general clerical filing, indexing, and cross-referencing methods and procedures; working knowledge of preparation and filing procedures for federal and state quarterly and annual payroll reports; benefit maintenance, reconciliation, payment, and reporting procedures; 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. Skill/Ability to: multi-task and prioritize work; interpret, and explain policies and procedures pertaining to the work including reports produced by data processing equipment; to use expenditure and revenue code procedures; understand and reconcile payroll records; perform machine calculations with speed and accuracy; provide training to others; compile complex spreadsheets using excel; apply critical thinking; time management to meet deadlines and within budget; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment, to include financial software; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; be dependable and self-motivated; deal with open records request effectively; work under stressful conditions, and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; Pass a Criminal Background Check;
Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence