Accounting Assistant
Job Location:
Dothan, AL - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Department:
Job Summary
- Description
This position performs technical duties in support of assigned city financial operations.- Major Duties
- Processes and approves accounts payable invoices for payment; reviews vendor statements monthly to ensure proper processing by departments.
- Completes vendor credit applications as requested by departments to establish payment terms; assists in maintaining financial system for vendor set-up; enters new and updates existing vendor information.
- Processes and approves purchasing card transactions.
- Posts monthly interest and fees generated by bank accounts to the general ledger; balances bank statements.
- Balances daily reports to copies of deposit slips received from department as assigned.
- Enters monthly appropriations designated by the City Commission to fund agency requests as assigned.
- Coordinates with buyers of auctioned items to provide receipts etc. as assigned.
- Maintains record of vehicle titles as assigned; ensures titles are filed under correct departments; returns disposed of vehicle titles to Fleet Division for sale by auction.
- Generates and maintains accounts payable group to balance various reports/invoices for Municipal Court as assigned.
- Assists in the management of fixed assets as assigned; compares items delivered to invoices; documents serial numbers dates purchased and received location etc. and assign city identification number; completes related reports and maintains records.
- Maintains travel expense reports as assigned; collects data on cash expenditures for 1099 reports; scans and maintains related files.
- Researches business tax payment activity to ensure compliance.
- Processes utility bills and work orders and reconciles prepay accounts.
- Researches billing errors and performs analysis of utility accounts.
- Exchanges information with other departments to resolve discrepancies in utility accounts.
- Performs adjustments to utility accounts related to water leaks pool fills debt collection garbage exemption and returned items.
- Researches and collects delinquent utility accounts including submission of debt to third-party collection agencies.
- Procures warrants as deemed necessary for theft of utility services and collection of returned items.
- Manages and tracks bankruptcy accounts to ensure applicable laws are followed.
- Performs nightly payment balancing to submit end-of-day processing and reporting.
- Performs the setup of new City of Dothan utility accounts for interdepartmental billing by assigning the correct department receivable codes expense account and payable account. Processes interdepartmental bills twice monthly ensuring accounts are charged timely and correctly.
- Coordinates with external utility assistance agencies to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Assists Customer Service Representatives with daily utility workflow and aids in resolving escalated customer inquiries.
- Performs related duties.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
- Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines.
- Knowledge of accounts payable and receivable principles.
- Knowledge of general ledger accounting principles.
- Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws city policies and department policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
- Knowledge of collection and bankruptcy best practices.
- Skill in problem solving.
- Skill in Microsoft Excel Word and Outlook.
- Skill in prioritizing and planning.
- Skill in interpersonal relations.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The Accounting Manager and Utility Collections Manager assign work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures accuracy and the nature and propriety of the results.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include GAAP GASB guidelines internal control procedures relevant state and federal laws purchasing procedures and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK
- The work consists of related technical duties. Strict regulations and the need for accuracy contribute to the complexity of the position.
- The purpose of this position is to provide technical support for assigned city accounting operations. Successful performance ensures the efficiency effectiveness and accuracy of those operations.
CONTACTS
- Contacts are typically with coworkers other city personnel vendors and the public.
- Contacts are typically to exchange information resolve problems and provide services.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting standing or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
- The work is typically performed in an office.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
None.
- Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from standard senior high school or GED as recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); and
- Two (2) years recent work experience in accounting bookkeeping or fiscal clerical experience.
- Possession of a current Certified Governmental Accounting Technician certification (CGAT) preferred.
Graduation from an accredited* college or university with an Associates degree or higherin Finance Accounting Business or closely related field from an accredited* college or universitypreferred.
*Accredited through an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants are required to successfully pass a Data Entry test with a minimum composite score of 65. The Data Entry test will be administered at the time of the application. (See City of Dothans Typing Test/Retest Policy).
- May require the employee be bondable.
- Employees in this position must obtain a Certified Governmental Accounting Technician (CGAT) certification within three (3) years of employment/promotion/demotion/transfer.
- An applicant for this position is subject to various background investigations up to and including a criminal credit past employment and reference checks.
- Employees are required to submit to Drug and Alcohol testing in accordance with the City of Dothan policy which includes pre-employment and random tests for the duration of employment in this position. (PBA 8/13/12)
- Must meet the City of Dothans employment physical standard which includes drug/alcohol testing.
- Application / Examination
Qualified applicants will be evaluated based on education and experience as documented in their application. This evaluation will comprise 50% of the final grade and the other 50% will be based on the written exam.
The written examination for the position of Accounting Assistant is scheduled forAugust 3rd 2026.Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications will receive an email notification to self-schedule for the written exam. You MUST self-schedule online or you will not be allowed to take the test.
The content areas of the written examination for the position of Accounting Assistant includes the following:
Ability to Work Rapidly with Data/Information
Written Communications
Knowledge of Basic Accounting/Bookkeeping
Reading ComprehensionMathematical Ability
You will be allowed one (1) hour and (45) forty-five minutes for completion of the examination. Once the examination begins you will not be allowed to leave the room until you have completed the examination.
NOTE: An applicant on vacation is responsible for attending the examination on the date scheduled. An applicant falling under federally protected leave (i.e. FMLA USEERRA) is responsible for notifying the Personnel Department in writing no later than the closing date by emailing.Please advise us at the time of application if you will need assistance and/or accommodation to take this examination by emailing .
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
Required Experience:
Junior IC
