Accounting Specialist 1

Role

This position is responsible for performing a variety of technical accounting and bookkeeping functions. The individual is responsible for monitoring and updating accounting records, general ledger and subsidiary accounts, calculating expenditures, receipts, accounts payable/receivable, chargebacks for debit and credit cards and profit and loss. Principles of accounting are applied in preparing various reports, budgets, statistical reports, reconciliations, and other auditable financial support data in a timely and accurate manner.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• E 30% Responsible for chargeback filing and research, including: Receiving forms and reviewing for accuracy. Researching current regulations regarding a member’s chargeback rights and the credit union’s liability to that member. Ability to formally communicate to the member if additional information is required. Has organizational skills required to track and maintain records on all open cases. Ability to suggest process improvements that benefit the member, and all staff.
• E 30% Receives, processes, balances, reconciles, and maintains: Incoming and outgoing wires. Outgoing share draft files and exceptions. Incoming and outgoing ACH files and exceptions. Federal Reserve Bank cash letters. Corporate Credit Union accounts.
• E 20% Processes IRA transactions, tax payments, and reports, daily, monthly, quarterly, annually or as needed through IRA software. Assist in the administration of the share overdraft program.
• E 15% Performs appropriate journal entries to GL and subledger accounts, creating, balancing, reconciling and maintaining records. Assists other departments with accounting related issues and questions.
• N 5% Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Performance Measurements

• Keep all assigned GL accounts current and in balance daily according to established department standards.
• Process and reconcile daily official check settlement, stop payments, and requests for check copies and reconcile the corresponding GL account in accordance with established department standards.
• Maintain cash log book, process daily cash management activity and post proper GL entires in a timely and accurate manner.
• Prepare all reports within the prescribed time frame with zero errors.
• Provide helpful and informative service and support to all members and associates.
• Troubleshoot and resolve member and internal inquiries in a timely and accurate manner.

Knowledge and Skills

Experience

One year to three years of similar or related experience.

Education

(1) A bachelor's degree, or (2) achievement of formal certifications recognized in the industry as equivalent to a bachelor's degree (e.g., information technology certifications in lieu of a degree).

Interpersonal Skills

Frequent contact with all levels and types of Credit Union staff, outside vendors, members, and potential members. A high level of interpersonal skills required to effectively represent Credit Union products and services. Frequent exposure to sensitive information and issues requires a tactful and trustworthy individual to protect the Credit Union interest, other employees’ interests, and member confidentiality.

Other Skills

• Must have working knowledge of GAAP.
• Prior financial institution experience, preferred.
• Office 365 (especially Excel) experience preferred.
• Must understand the peripheral systems and products in relation to accounting procedures, as well as, the ability to research and problem solve various situations.

Core Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task.
• Must be proficient in 10-key with strong math and computer skills.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills and continuous attention to detail.
• Inquisitive and willing to ask questions.

Core Abilities

• Requires the ability to develop a good working knowledge of Credit Union products and services within six months of employment. Incumbent must complete required designated training within the applicable timeframe.
• Strong ability to innovate and improve current and future workflow processes.
• Requires the ability to utilize general office equipment and software, including keyboard, copiers, telephones, fax machine, calculators, computers and printers.
• Requires familiarity with and the ability to use accounting software systems and the Credit Union’s internal operating system. If not already familiar with internal operating system and other software, must be able to develop adequate skill level within 90 days of employment.
• Able to function and work as a collaborative team member.
• Able to embrace contributions of others without seeking attention for personal contributions.
• Able to share credit and define success collectively.
• Able to sustain a commitment to doing a job well and going above and beyond.

Physical Requirements

Physical Activity

• Kneeling. Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching. Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Fingering. Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping. Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Repetitive Motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Visual Acuity

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection of documents.

Work Conditions

The individual is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.