Accounting Specialist

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Ideal Candidate 

Under general direction, this position will perform a range of both professional and technical duties related to accounting and procurement. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized with strong analytical skills, exercises sound judgment, and demonstrates the ability to manage multiple priorities while ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and reporting requirements.

The successful candidate will have hands-on experience with accounts payable, purchase order administration, vendor account management, contract tracking, inventory control, fixed asset accounting, prevailing wage compliance, annual 1099 reporting, and financial recordkeeping. They are proficient in accounting software and financial systems, capable of maintaining accurate records, reconciling accounts, and supporting audits and reporting activities.

About the Position and Department

This is a full-time, non-exempt position that reports directly to the Finance and Accounting Manager. This position ensures compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and reporting requirements while supporting operations across the organization.

Essential Functions

Under general supervision, essential functions may include:

• Procurement and Purchasing: Manages and processes purchase orders, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procurement requirements. Supports contract administration functions, including financial tracking, documentation, and compliance monitoring. Communicates with internal departments and external vendors to resolve discrepancies and ensure smooth financial operations.
• Accounts Payable and Financial Records: Processes bi-weekly Accounts Payable, including purchase orders (P.O.s) and Utility Billing reimbursements. Monitors departmental expenditures against approved budgets, reviews spending trends, identifies potential budget variances and provides timely reporting to assist management in maintaining fiscal accountability and effective financial planning. Updates and maintains records for prepaid expenses at fiscal year-end. Monitors and administers vendor accounts, including invoice reconciliation, payment tracking, and issue resolution.
• Compliance and Regulatory Reporting: Ensures compliance with prevailing wage requirements, including tracking, verification, and reporting. Prepares, reviews, and files annual 1099 reporting in compliance with IRS regulations and deadlines. Reviews financial data for accuracy and compliance of applicable laws, regulations, and internal controls.
• Fixed Assets and Inventory: Maintains and updates fixed asset records. Oversee inventory accounting activities, including tracking, valuation, and reconciliation of physical and system records.
• Accounting Operations: Performs a range of accounting duties in support of financial operations. Performs account reconciliations and assists with month-end and year-end close processes. Utilizes financial systems and tools to maintain accurate records and generate required reports. Assists in developing and maintaining accounting procedures and documentation to ensure consistency and compliance. Supports audits by preparing schedules, documentation, and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Process Improvement and Special Projects: Recommends and implements improvements to accounting systems, internal controls, and processes, including support for new District functions. Performs departmental and cross-functional special projects, including ad hoc requests. Maintains documentation of departmental Standard Operating Procedures and coordinates cross-training for backup personnel.

Other Duties and Requirements

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Comply with all District policies throughout employment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Diablo Water District evaluates candidate qualifications based on an equivalent combination of education and experience. For example, if a candidate does not possess a college degree (applicable to some jobs) but possesses double the number of years of required relevant experience, this may satisfy the minimum job requirements. Accordingly, candidates of all educational/experiential backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

• Two (2) years of professional accounting experience involving the analysis and maintenance of financial records and reports, including accounts payable, required.
• Leadership Academy I (or equivalent program), or able to obtain within twelve (12) months, required.
• Governmental Accounting experience, preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration, preferred.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• Transportation: Employee is responsible for making transportation arrangements (whether by holding a valid driver’s license or utilizing rail, bus, ridesharing, taxi, or similar means) to effectively and timely complete duties, with reasonable transportation costs reimbursed per District policy.
• If choosing to drive a vehicle for transportation, the employee must hold a valid California Driver’s License.

Environmental Factors

• Exposure to the sun: 10% or less work time spent outside a building and exposed to the sun.
• Ability to navigate uneven surfaces, with or without assisting devices.

Typical Physical Activities

Diablo Water District supports modern ergonomics and safety protocols in all of its daily practices.

• Communicates orally with District staff and the public in face-to-face, one-to-one settings.
• Regularly uses telephone and email for communication.
• Uses standard office technology, including computers, printers/copiers, and digital communication tools. May occasionally travel by automobile in conducting District business.
• Work at a desk for an extended period of time.
• Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds, bend, crouch, and stoop to perform routine office functions.

Diablo Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected categories as defined by federal, state, and/or local laws. The District is committed to utilizing the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to guide its employment and customer policies and practices.

For more information on our DEI Policy, please click here.