Accounting Assistant II, Treasurer-Tax Collector

Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office
The Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) in Ventura provides service to the public through two distinct divisions: Treasury and Tax Collection. The Treasury Department is the depository for county agencies, school districts, and special district funds. All banking functions are handled in Treasury, which is in all respects the equivalent of a small business bank processing over $10 billion annually.

Additionally, the Treasurer-Tax Collector manages the $3B local agency investment fund, pursuant to policy guidelines established by the Board of Supervisors with input from the Treasurer and the Treasury Oversight Committee. Over 250 government agencies participate in the pool.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, the TTC Accounting Assistant II acts as the first public contact and line of service to constituents at the Tax Collector’s public facing counter and over the phone, responding to inquiries and performing the full range of duties in the maintenance and processing of financial transactions, and entry/retrieval of data and/or information into manual or technology systems in a high volume call-center. Functional areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to cash receipts and disbursements, accounts receivable, billing, accounts payable, payroll, fixed asset accounting, and revenue distribution.

The successful candidate has experience working in a high-volume call center or customer service setting resolving challenging and complex customer problems through established policies, procedures or laws, as well as, experience in financial, statistical or fiscal record keeping.

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Acts as the first public contact person for callers and/or visitors which may include processing tax payments, answering inquiries on status or payment history, or providing payoff demands as requested
• Performs simple arithmetical computations to verify money collected, claims amounts, time attendance hours, supply inventories, etc.
• Compares data on the documents with back-up information in order to substantiate claims.
• Receives cash, warrants and checks from individuals or revenue sources; applies credit to the proper subsidiary ledger account; balances the cash register and forwards deposits to the proper accounting area for deposit with County Treasurer.
• De-escalate interactions with upset callers to resolve the callers concern. Refers unresolved issues to the lead Senior Accounting Assistant.
• Sorts, batches and files financial, statistical, or fiscal data/records.
• Logs and codes data according to prescribed accounting procedures; retrieves documents from files and sets up new files as requested.
• Receives, reviews and verifies claims, invoices, and payroll documents for authorization of expenditures, accuracy of amounts and accounts charged, and conformance to rules and procedures.
• Provides receipts by filling out a receipt form or endorsing checks in order to provide payee with proof of payment.
• Performs posting functions by hand or on the computer by inputting accounting or payroll data to appropriate accounts, journals, or ledgers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Accounting Assistant IIs are represented by the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Education/Experience Substitution
Three (3) units of college-level accounting coursework OR twelve (12) units of college-level general coursework may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

If you are substituting education for experience (up to one year), verification of a degree, or transcripts/grade reports from an accredited college or university which reflect passing grades in the required subject areas must be submitted with your application or within three (3) days of the recruitment closing.

To attach a PDF scanned copy to an online application, use the Add Attachment(s) link in the Attachments section at the bottom of the page where you can edit the various sections of your application.

If transcripts or grade reports are not submitted, your application may be screened out and you will not be allowed to continue in the process. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Degree(s) or coursework from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency. If the name on this documentation is different from the name on your application, include documents that show the name change.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: principles and processes for providing customer services including needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and customer satisfaction; techniques for dealing with challenging/difficult situations with the public, in person and/or over the telephone; operations, services and activities of a comprehensive fiscal program; fiscal and record keeping principles, practices, and techniques; the operating financial accounting system; the codes, forms, procedures, rules and regulations applicable to the processing and recording of fiscal transactions; the department/agency account structure and operational requirements; pre-audit methods and procedures; electronic data processing equipment uses and limitations.

Skill in: the operation of a 10-key adding machine or calculator, use of computers and related technology including software applications specific to the work performed.

Ability to: listen and understand information and ideas presented by callers and/or visitors, communicate information so that callers and/or visitors understand; make arithmetic calculations with speed and accuracy; apply codes and classifications used in account maintenance; use computer printouts and prepare data in the proper format; understand and apply rules and regulations related to fiscal record keeping and accounting functions; understand the relationship among accounting records and documents; recognize discrepancies or problems in accounts and make corrections; research a problem or question to a successful conclusion; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is: County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another “merit” or “civil service” public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a “merit” or “civil service” style examination, then appointment by “Lateral Transfer” may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

APPLICATION EVALUATION qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to the written examination. Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant’s qualifications and acceptability for the position.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION 100%: An un-proctored, internet-based, job-related written examination will be conducted to evaluate participating applicants’ knowledge of accounting principles, financial accounting and reporting, budgeting for successful performance on the job. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future regular (including temporary and fixed-term), intermittent, and extra help vacancies.

VALIDATING PROCTORED WRITTEN EXAM: Offers of employment may be conditional to the candidate until taking and passing an on-site, proctored exam similar to the un-proctored, internet-based exam.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies for these classifications throughout the County. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy in the Treasurer-Tax Collector Office.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record is required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Sabrina Anderson by e-mail at Sabrina.Anderson@ventura.org or by telephone at: (805) 654-2642.