Accounting Technician

To provide technical assistance to accountants, management analysts, budget analysts, and information technology analysts. To provide information in the areas of accounts receivable, contract administration, cost analysis, accounts payable, financial reporting, depreciation, cost allocations, bank reconciliations, and accounting controls. Exercises independent judgment in the application of specific policies and procedures.

This class is a paraprofessional journey level and is assigned to Records, Reporting & Services or Receivables, Receipts & Payments. This job class exercises independent judgment in the application of established policies and procedures and requires the ability to work independently, meet deadlines, prioritize work, and seek alternative solutions to specific problems. Persons in this class may be required to exercise lead responsibilities in the absence of the section supervisor.

Records, Reporting and Services

• Researches and assists in the development and preparation of budgets and actual project costs; monitors expenditures; researches availability of funds for capital purchases; and monitors potential overruns.
• Maintains subsidiary records, and reconciles and clears general ledger accounts i.e., cash, interest income, Allowance of Funds Used During Construction AFUDC, investment portfolio, accrual and maintenance of interest income, premiums, discounts and accrued interest, on office and work equipment for various locations.
• Prepares various periodic reports: quarterly, monthly and end-of-year.
• Compiles assigned financial reports such as: budget data preparation using basic accounting principles.
• Prepares applicable spreadsheets on a daily basis to capture data, including, but not limited to: all forms of payments, clearing of the FISERV General Ledger Account, all BAMTRAC activities.
• Reviews expenditure requests and other transactions for proper classification in compliance with established procedures.
• Performs general business calculations such as: discounts/premiums, ratios, proportions, amortizations, overhead and billing rates, retentions, sales and taxes.

Receivables, Receipts and Payments

• Sets up and maintains vendor contract files, performing accounts payable review and payment of contract invoices, in compliance with standard methods and controls.
• Assist in collecting and reporting data related to sales taxes, 1099 requirements, Franchise Tax Board collections and other government regulatory programs and all forms of receipts.Identifies billable jobs, determines costs to customers, transfers funds, adjusts discrepancies, maintains and monitors billing information, and prepares joint ventures and other specialized billings in accordance with established rules and contracts.
• Produces, analyzes, and reviews invoices, payment documents, bid requests and contracts to classify plant assets and determine unit costs.
• Maintains and clears cash accounts on a daily basis and prepares monthly bank reconciliations.
• Maintains subsidiary records, reconciles and clears general ledger accounts for temporary deposits, energy efficiency loans and specialized financing.
• Prepares routine journal entries.

Records, Reporting and Services

• Capitalizes unitization customary distribution and general plant assets using SMUD capitalization guidelines and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FERC guidelines.
• Coordinates, performs and balances physical inventories of SMUD general plant assets.
• Interprets blueprints on distribution lines overhead and underground construction jobs.

Other Duties

• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

• Equivalent to completion of sufficient formal and/or informal education to provide the necessary knowledge and skills.

Automated systems, computers, and various computer software, including: Word, Excel Outlook, etc; Basic accounting principles and procedures Reconciliation processes and concepts; Proper English usage, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and spelling; Primary program objectives and functions of assigned area; Appropriate office procedures and practices, including technical and complex procedures, rules, and policies governing office or system assignment; Mathematics to perform calculations and general statistical computations, including ratios and proportions, and interest payments; Relevant SAP modules; Basic tax, other regulatory requirements and business law concepts related to work assignments; Basic budgeting concepts for related entities, such as joint power agencies.

Apply SMUD policies and procedures; Communicate effectively and clearly in English in person and by telephone with other staff, vendors and/or outside agencies; Perform a wide range of highly responsible and complex clerical/administrative support functions with speed and accuracy; Perform routine technical and administrative work; Successfully learn to use BAMTRAC, Fiserv, DCMS, check imaging, Dispatch and other electronic applications; Conduct detailed and thorough research related to work assignment; Interpret and apply applicable policies, procedures, standards and requirements related to area of responsibility; Communicate effectively in writing, including writing reports in a clear and concise manner; Understand and follow complex or brief oral and written instructions; Work independently and seek alternatives/follow up with appropriate analysis of situations, data and documents; Analyze and verify standard financial documents; Analyze and resolve discrepancies within subsidiary ledgers, general ledger and account detail; Create, maintain and modify designated software programs such as spreadsheets, database and word processing systems, and produce and generate detailed related reports; Establish and maintain effective office procedures and record keeping and filing systems; Plan, organize, coordinate and prioritize assigned tasks to successfully meet deadlines; Perform multiple and diverse tasks concurrently in a highly pressurized work environment; Work cooperatively with diverse personalities in a team-oriented environment; Use relevant SAP, word processing, Excel, graphics and related software and data bases; Use a variety of business office equipment, including a 10-key calculator; Accurately type at a rate required for successful job performance; Train users in designated software/data base use and general job duties; Maintain and administer confidential records and information.

• Education: Completion of college level basic accounting coursework (I.E. Intro to Account-ing, etc.)
• Experience: 2+ years of experience in the accounting field(I.E. Accounts Payable, Cash Management, Account Receivable, Staff Accountant or Financial Analyst, etc.)
• Customer Service experience
• Experience with SAP