Accounting Technician

Initial Posting Date: 07/31/2024 Application Deadline: 08/15/2024 Agency: Water Resources Department Salary Range: Position Type: Employee Position Title: Accounting Technician Job Description: Working Title: Accounts Payable Specialist Classification: Accounting Technician Position Type: Permanent, Full Time Representation: T his position is represented by the SEIU FLSA Status: Non- Exempt, and eligible for overtime and compensatory time Monthly Compens ation : The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $3,776 - $5,232 | after PERS* will be $4,036 - $5,598 Work Location : North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301 . Oregon Water Resources Department The Oregon Water Resources Department is committed to creating a workplace culture that understands and appreciates differences among people and is welcoming and inclusive to all. By fostering fairness and equity in its work culture, the Department strives to improve services for all Oregonians. We acknowledge that not all people have experienced equitable opportunities or fair treatment. We are committed to increasing our awareness and understanding of historic injustices and building a foundation for meaningful change. We value a wide range of professional and lived experiences, and people of underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Our Vision The vision of the Oregon Water Resources Department is to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs. Core Values Integrity – We are accountable for all that we do. We act with honesty and promote transparency. Service – We are dedicated to providing outstanding service and treating everyone equitably in our management and stewardship of state resources. Technical Excellence – We base our resource decisions on law, science, and expertise. Teamwork – We are united in our mission, relying on one another and working together with the communities we serve. Forward-Looking – We seek innovative and practical solutions to the water challenges of today and tomorrow. 2019-2024 Strategic Plan The Oregon Water Resources Department’s strategic priorities for 2019-2024 are to: Modernize our management of Oregon’s surface water and groundwater resources to meet instream and out-of-stream uses Work to secure Oregon’s instream and out-of-stream water future in the face of increasing water scarcity Foster a forward-looking team dedicated to serving Oregonians with integrity and excellence Position Information The Accounts Receivables Specialist (Accounting Technician) position is located within the Fiscal Services unit of the Business Services section within the Administrative Services Division. The section provides accounting, procurement, and budgetary services to OWRD and works closely with other sections in the agency to support OWRD’s mission . The Accounts Payable Specialist reviews and processes all claims for payments to vendors, contract and grant payments, and other payments through direct entry and macros. It has the responsibility of posting expenditure journal entries and canceling/reissuing checks and warrants, and ensuring compliance with all applicable rules, regulations, and policies, and maintains vendor profiles and records in the Statewide Financial Management System (SFMS). This position is also responsible for conducting audit inquiries in a timely manner sufficient to meet statutory guidelines and take advantage of economic benefits offered by vendors. This position interacts with most levels of Agency management, most employees, and the general public, and is responsible for communicating payables-related accounting policies to each. What you will do Audit and prepare for entry, various types of vouchers in order to ensure conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures Review a multitude of invoices of varying complexity for accuracy, completeness, proper authorizations, appropriateness of expenditure and proper account coding Prepare voucher worksheets and spreadsheets to allocate charges among multiple program cost centers and agency objects using numerous defined methodologies Determine appropriate transaction codes for each vendor payment, transfers to other state agencies, refunds, and corrections: matching the automatic journal entries that the system creates to each transaction code Coordinate and collaborate with the other Accounts Payable Specialist to identify which invoices can be paid via SPOTS and which need to be paid via SFMA Contacts vendors, as necessary, to resolve discrepancies with monthly statement reconciling problems Review/process contract requests for payment for completeness, accuracy, and appropriate coding, and monitor payments for compliance with grant policies, as well as generally accepted accounting principles Mail/distribute warrants as necessary Conduct payment- and vendor-related research: Research past due invoices and vendor statements to ensure they are not paid twice Research and prepare oral or written responses to vendor inquiries regarding payments Research and prepare oral or written responses to agency staff regarding payments Request warrant cancellations and stop payments, verify monthly DAFR for payment cancellations Request copies of warrant and check documents from State Treasury when needed Review and research all Accounts Payable transactions for Oregon Buys Pay approved agency invoices using the Fiscal SPOTS credit card while ensuring all approvals, documentation, and use are in compliance with all laws, rules, and departmental policies Assist with other Accounts Payable Duties, including, but not limited to: Travel Reimbursements Revenue Refunds Unclaimed warrants DOJ Invoice payments Vendor Setup/Maintenance Assist in covering critical responsibilities in the absence of other Accounting Technicians (both Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable) Assist in the development, testing, troubleshooting, and implementation of new processes and procedures in coordination with other Fiscal and/or Agency staff Click HERE to view the full position description. Minimum Qualifications – Accounting Technician We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the preferred qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application. In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and desired qualifications above to determine whom to interview. Please make sure all your relevant qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials. Your application materials may be evaluated on spelling, grammar, punctuation, attention to detail, and presentation. Two years of experience calculating, recording, and maintaining accounting information that must include coding transactions and checking them for propriety, balancing, and resolving discrepancies in computer edits; OR One year of experience calculating, recording, and maintaining accounting information that must include coding transactions and checking them for propriety, balancing, and resolving discrepancies in computer edits AND at least 43 quarter (29 semester) credit hours from an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school that includes 9 quarter (6 semester) credit hours in accounting. Credit hours must include introductory level accounting courses 1 and 2; OR At least 94 quarter (62 semester) credit hours or an associate degree from an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school that includes 12 quarter (8 semester) credit hours in accounting. Credit hours must include introductory level accounting courses 1 and 2 and may include any additional accounting courses with “accounting” in the title. Training or experience must include using a computer to enter, update, or retrieve information. Preferred Qualifications Possesses a basic knowledge of governmental accounting procedures, operations, and processes. Ability to work mostly independently within accepted accounting guidelines, with minimal supervision. Proficient in Excel, Word, Acrobat, and Outlook. Demonstrated ability to provide strong attention to detail and examine financial information for accuracy. Demonstrated ability to track payments and disbursements. Familiarity with Oregon Accounting Manual Familiarity with and ability to follow Statewide Financial Accounting System (SFMS) policies and procedures, Executive Department administrative rules, Department of General Services administrative rules, or other administrative rules. Demonstrated ability to provide strong customer service to both internal and external customers. Ability to develop strong working relationships within and across teams to contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment. Demonstrated ability to communicate with and educate individuals with diverse backgrounds on rules, regulations, policies, and procedures Working Conditions The individual in this position will work in a general office environment at a computer station for extended periods of time. Requires the ability to periodically deal with the stress of deadlines, and/or large volumes of work. Occasional telephone contact with individuals external to the agency to clarify information, resolve discrepancies, or explain agency accounting policies and procedures. All duties for this position will be required to be done in the Salem office. After an initial training period, the position may be eligible for limited remote work. What’s in it for you? The successful candidate will have the opportunity to: Apply your accounting knowledge and skills to support the operations and mission of the Water Resources Department. Work in a productive, collaborative environment where no two days are the same. Assist in the updating of desk procedures and modernizing processes. Support a sustainable water future for Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities. In addition to offering a culture of care and inclusivity and working among a highly skilled team to dive into meaningful work, we also offer a competitive benefits package that includes: Exceptional medical, vision and dental plans with employees paying 1-5% of the total rate. Leave accrual starting at 8 hours of sick and 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years. Access to an additional four days of discretionary leave - 3 days of personal business leave and one day of Special Leave to use at your discretion each year. Eleven paid holidays per year. Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) , including a pension and employer contributions to the Individual Account Program. Optional benefits (such as term life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, long-term care, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, enrollment in the OregonSavingsGrowth Plan , a deferred compensation program with a wide variety of investment options). The opportunity to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must qualify). How to Apply : Please ensure to provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration. Provide a brief (no more than 1 page) cover letter indicating why you are interested in, and a good candidate for, the Revenue and Receivables Specialist position at the Oregon Water Resources Department. Provide a brief (no more than 2 pages) resume indicating your experience pertinent to the required and desired qualifications in this announcement. Important Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit additional information after initial application. If you have questions about this job posting, please contact Human Resources at WRD_DL_HR@water.oregon.gov Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account. Important Information PERS Salary Information * NON-PERS ELIGIBLE (Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service. PERS ELIGIBLE (Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc.) The salary listed will state base monthly salary, which is BEFORE PERS. Future Vacancies This applicant pool may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur over the next three (3) months. Work Authorization The Oregon Water Resources Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. Veterans If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score. For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans resources under Resources. Please do not attach veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time. The Oregon Water Resources Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity. #J-18808-Ljbffr