DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASS TITLE: SENIOR ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, perform a variety of responsible and complex accounting clerical duties related to an assigned area of responsibility such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, insurance and voluntary deductions, high school student body funds or other specialized accounting functions; review, maintain, prepare and process accounting, financial and statistical documents, records and reports. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Incumbents in the Senior Accounting Assistant classification perform complex duties in a specialized clerical accounting function such as high school student body funds, accounts receivable, accounts payable or insurance and voluntary deductions. Accounting Assistant incumbents perform routine and repetitive accounting clerical duties. Incumbents may assist in other accounting clerical activities in support of higher level functions or are assigned a single accounting function which is highly structured and closely supervised. Intermediate Accounting Assistant incumbents are assigned responsible clerical accounting duties in an area such as accounts payable, adult school cafeteria and student body funds, enrollment and attendance, billing or payroll. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: Perform a variety of responsible and complex accounting clerical duties related to an assigned area of responsibility such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, insurance, high school student body funds or other specialized accounting functions; coordinate assigned activities with other accounting functions. E Receive, audit, adjust and verify cash, cash receipts and financial and statistical documents; perform analysis and maintain controls; balance accounts and produce financial reports as required trial balances; assure accuracy, completion and compliance with legal and procedural requirements. E Prepare a variety of District, County, State and federally-mandated reports; assist in preparing special, supplemental and year end reports, forms, records and documents; prepare income and expense reports. E REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (Continued) Review, verify, audit and process a variety of documents and accounts related to assigned accounting functions; assure accuracy and timely processing of monies, data, forms, and reports, and payments. E Receive, review and reconcile vendor billings and statements; prepare invoices and related documents for payment of vendors and other creditors; submit paperwork to proper personnel; distribute warrants to vendors and District personnel. E Compare, audit and verify numerical data and financial documents; detect, trace and correct errors and discrepancies; adjust accounts and data in accordance with District, State and federal laws and procedures. E Maintain various financial and statistical records and reports; compute and reconcile financial and statistical data and transactions; post and prepare prepare and post journal entries, summaries, statements and reports, as required. E Maintain and update computerized personnel records in District database; enter changes to salary, deduction amounts and changes of status; maintain sick leave and vacation records; print regular and special reports as requested. E Input information into a computerized data processing system; sort, retrieve and analyze data and generate computer reports in accordance with established time lines. E Research and complete various claims, verifications and other documents; research and resolve vendor or employee issues and questions in accordance with District policies and procedures; communicate with District, County, State and federal personnel to explain or obtain information. E Sort, compile, process and post a variety of financial and statistical data for reports relating to benefits, claims, inventory, purchases and other assigned functions; review, verify and file records, lists and pertinent documents as appropriate. E Respond to issues and questions and provide information to employees, supervisors, students, vendors, the County and others; interpret, apply and explain laws, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, Board actions and State Education Code. E REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (Continued) Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer terminal, typewriter, calculator, microfiche viewer and copier. E Must demonstrate attendance sufficient to complete the duties of the position as required. E Train and provide work direction to accounting clerical personnel as assigned. Perform related duties as assigned. Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an italicized “E” which identifies essential duties required of the classification. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE OF: Accounting principles, practices and terminology. Bookkeeping principles and financial record keeping practices used in preparing financial or statistical reports in a system involving data processing. Modern office practices, procedures and equipment. Computerized accounting systems, personal computer and keyboard. Personal computer software applications, i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, internet, etc. Applicable sections of State Education Code and other applicable laws. Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Financial and statistical record keeping techniques. Telephone techniques and etiquette. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. Operation of a computer terminal. ABILITY TO: Perform complex clerical accounting duties involving independent judgment and initiative. Prepare and maintain complex financial records, analyze data and prepare accurate reports. Apply bookkeeping and financial record keeping principles to assigned specialty area. Operate office machines such as a ten key calculator and computer terminal. Operate computer software applications, i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, internet, etc. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: (Continued) ABILITY TO: (Cont’d.) Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Compare numbers and detect errors efficiently. Make arithmetic computations and tabulations with speed and accuracy. Type at an acceptable rate of speed. Meet schedules and time lines. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Work independently with little direction. Work effectively, both independently and as a member of a team. Work efficiently on multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Demonstrate behavior that is professional and responsible. Demonstrate mental acuity sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position. Communicate effectively in person and in writing. Be motivated to produce high quality work product. Work effectively in stressful situations. Maintain a work pace appropriate to a given workload. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school including or supplemented by course work in accounting or bookkeeping and three years’ increasingly responsible financial record keeping experience including at least one year in a school accounting office. LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Some positions in this classification may require a California driver's license. WORKING CONDITIONS: ENVIRONMENT: Office environment. PHYSICAL ABILITIES: Seeing to inspect financial or statistical records; hearing and speaking to communicate with District staff and the public; sitting for extended periods of time; bending, kneeling and reaching to retrieve and file records; and dexterity of hands and fingers to file and operate a computer terminal and other office equipment.