Accounting Specialist

Salary Range: $25.53/hr. - $31.91/hr.This is a non-exempt position.  Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level, and internal equity.POSITION SUMMARYThe Finance Department is a team of professionals that are tasked with functions including capital and debt planning, investments, accounting, payroll, procurement, grant management, and various accounts payable, including P-Cards.  Additional fiscal support is provided to departments across the county.    The Accounting Specialist will perform various accounting functions involving the preparation and/or maintenance of complex financial or related records. Under general supervision, this position is responsible for analyzing financial information, data entry, creating accounts payable records, and related detailed information concerning financial, budgetary, and related accounting matters.  This position will work in Invoice Processing.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS• Enter, update, organize, review, analyze, and/or verify system or other data, statements, and forms; perform audits of procedures, transactions, documents, and/or data• Research information and document discrepancies; reconcile payments, accounts, transactions, and/or financial information; process exceptions, make corrections, and resolve errors• Assists in interpreting and applying policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and ordinances.• Provide internal and external customer support; respond to inquiries; provide information and instruction related to accounts, policies, procedures, and/or processes in assigned areas of responsibility• Prepare and/or maintain files, records, reports, spreadsheets, accounts, and/or documents; maintain aging or status reports; send related correspondence and/or notifications• Enter transactions or post data into automated systems, collect fees, prepare journal entries and balance transactions• Research and compile information on a variety of financial transactions, which could include real estate, taxable property, grant disbursements, and regular fund reimbursements• Develop regular reporting tools on items such as transactions, collections, delinquent accounts, accounts payable and receivable, fund transfers, purchases, and related financial activities• Coordinate with staff to assess current and future budgetary needs and special requests• Reconciles current and year-end transactionsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSExperience:  Minimum of four years of accounting or administrative work in invoice processingEducation:  Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted:  YesLicenses and Certifications• May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License• May require County Driving Privileges PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, taxes, proportions, and percentages.• Keyboarding and data entry skills• Experience with 10-key calculator• Attention to detail and the ability to examine documents for accuracy and completeness• Experience working independently and in a team environment to accomplish goals and objectives.  • Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, co-workers, customers, and vendors • Ability to concentrate for long periods of time• Effective organizational skills• Analytical and problem-solving skillsKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIESKnowledge of• Budgetary and accounting principles • Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations• Governmental accounting procedures and generally accepted accounting principles• Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications• The structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar• Principles and processes for providing customer serviceSkills• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents• Talking to others to convey information effectively• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems• Using mathematics to solve problemsAbilities• Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problem and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probably consequences• Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence COMPUTER SKILLSIntermediate in various computer applications including Microsoft Office SuiteREASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENTTo accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. DISCLAIMER STATEMENTThis is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.