Description
Position Purpose
The Finance Clerk position is intended to build in-house financial capacity for the City of Simonton and provide continuity in the City’s day-to-day financial operations. The position should be filled by a candidate with practical experience in accounts payable, invoice processing, general ledger support, bookkeeping, financial documentation, and records accuracy.
The City may provide formal FundView training for the selected candidate, with the goal of developing the employee into the City’s primary day-to-day finance staff member. The position is intended to reduce long-term reliance on part-time outside finance support while maintaining appropriate Council oversight, segregation of duties, required approvals, and audit review.
General Description
The Finance Clerk performs accounting, bookkeeping, and administrative finance duties involving accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll support, general ledger entries, cash receipts, reconciliations, financial documentation, and preparation of routine financial reports. On a regular basis, the employee interacts with residents, vendors, City staff, elected officials, and other members of the public in a professional and service-oriented manner.
Essential Finance Duties
Process and organize accounts payable documentation, including invoices, purchase documentation, payment support, and vendor records.
Assist with accounts receivable functions, including payments received in person, by mail, electronically, or through banking institutions.
Prepare, enter, review, and reconcile general ledger journal entries, as assigned.
Assist with reconciliation of general ledger accounts, bank activity, deposits, cash receipts, and other financial records.
Support payroll processing, payroll documentation, and quarterly and annual payroll reporting, as assigned.
Perform FundView data entry, report generation, budget tracking, and financial record maintenance after appropriate training.
Prepare or assist in preparing monthly and quarterly financial reports, including balances, budget-to-actual information, transaction summaries, and other reports needed by City staff, Council, auditors, grant agencies, or other governmental entities.
Assist with budget preparation, budget amendments, expenditure tracking, and supporting documentation.
Assist with grant, restricted-fund, and dedicated-revenue tracking to help ensure funds are documented and used for authorized purposes.
Maintain organized financial files and records to support transparency, audit readiness, public records compliance, and continuity of City operations.
Respond to routine inquiries from staff, vendors, residents, and visitors regarding accounts payable, accounts receivable, payment status, receipts, or other assigned finance matters.
Follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, resolutions, City policies, internal controls, and records-management requirements.
Perform other finance-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Internal Control and Limitation of Authority
The Finance Clerk is not intended to independently authorize expenditures, approve invoices for payment, sign checks, approve payroll, amend budgets, or override established financial controls.
Financial duties must be performed within City-approved procedures, required approvals, segregation of duties, Council oversight, and audit review.
The position is intended to improve documentation, accuracy, continuity, and day-to-day financial capacity, not to remove policy authority from the governing body or assigned City officials.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge
Basic knowledge of accounting principles, municipal finance concepts, and governmental accounting practices, including GAAP and GASB concepts as applicable to assigned duties.
Basic knowledge of cash-handling procedures and financial documentation requirements.
Knowledge of general ledger entries, account reconciliation techniques, and bookkeeping practices.
Knowledge of accounting systems, Microsoft 365, spreadsheet software, business math, filing systems, and records organization.
Knowledge of proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and professional business communication.
Skills
Accurately enter financial data, customer information, journal entries, receipts, and payment documentation.
Use spreadsheets, databases, and financial software to maintain records and generate reports.
Interact professionally with the public, vendors, staff members, and elected officials.
Communicate clearly, orally and in writing, regarding routine accounting, payment, vendor, resident-service, and administrative matters.
Organize work, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
Abilities
Create, maintain, and use spreadsheets and databases to support financial reporting and recordkeeping.
Interpret and apply City policies, procedures, ordinances, resolutions, and internal controls within assigned duties.
Identify documentation gaps, ask appropriate questions, and elevate issues requiring review or approval.
Convey facts and recommendations relating to accounting records, payment documentation, and administrative issues in a concise and professional manner.
Maintain confidentiality where required, while supporting transparency, public records compliance, and audit readiness.
Be punctual, dependable, detail-oriented, and able to meet departmental deadlines.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Practical experience in bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll support, general ledger support, municipal finance, or a closely related administrative finance role.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365, spreadsheets, email, document management, and general office technology.
Ability to communicate professionally with residents, vendors, staff, and elected officials.
Ability to pass any background, bonding, or employment screening required by City policy.
Requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, economics, or a related field.
Three to five years of experience in a similar financial, bookkeeping, accounting, or municipal finance role.
Experience with FundView or similar municipal accounting software.
Experience with municipal government, public-sector accounting, payroll reporting, grants, restricted funds, or audit documentation.
CPA, CCA, or other relevant finance/accounting certification.
Position Flexibility
This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Finance Clerk. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. The City Council may revise the position description as the needs of the City and requirements of the position change.
