Account Specialist

Bookkeeper For The Court Records Division

Under the supervision of the Chief Deputy County Clerk and the Court Records Supervisor, serves as bookkeeper for the Court Records Division. Provides clerical / para-professional accounting support required for maintenance of accurate financial records and correct processing of financial transactions. Processes financial transactions related to restitution payments and the crime victim rights fund, bond disbursements, and jury payments. Reviews source documents for accuracy and completeness and ensures that all transactions are properly documented for audits. This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Grand Haven Courthouse at 414 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m.

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Performs a variety of paraprofessional accounting functions required to ensure the accurate processing of all financial transactions and proper account for all funds received and disbursed by the Circuit Court Records Division.
• Manages all financial transactions, including the review of all daily register totals, correcting / adjusting daily reconciliation sheets, analyzing / interpreting financial discrepancies of cashiers, researching overages and shortages, assisting Treasurer's Office and Fiscal Services in resolving miscellaneous accounting issues, and assisting with internal / external auditing reviews.
• Prepares daily bank deposits for the Treasurer's Office.
• Posts all bonds received by the Court to the bond reconciliation spreadsheet.
• Debits bond money to be refunded to defendants and third parties, applied to fines, costs and fees, or forfeited to the court, and prepares vouchers for disbursement.
• Balances and reconciles monthly bank statements for the bond account and maintains records for year-end closing and auditing.
• Interprets court orders, verifies case details, and ensures appropriate funding in all accounts before issuing payments.
• Processes restitution payments to victims, maintains records of outstanding balances and payment in full for cases with multiple victims, and ensures that co-defendant restitution is applied accurately.
• Searches for victims when restitution checks are returned undeliverable.
• Investigates and completes information necessary to pay funds to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund when restitution funds are unclaimed for over two years.
• Tracks and accounts for court funds including bonds, court orders, and unclaimed mortgage foreclosures that are unable to be dispersed for two years; updates Chief Deputy County Clerk of these funds to include in the annual unclaimed property report.
• Prepares invoices for payments for jury duty and balances and reconciles quarterly jury fund statements.
• Responds to all phone and mail inquiries related to victim restitution, jury payments and the disbursement of bonds.
• Assists with the formulation, evaluation, and implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols related to financial operations.
• Performs any and all functions of the Case Records Technician I classification as required to maintain proper case flow in the Court.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience :

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business information systems, business administration or closely related field and two (2) years progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing and business information systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills :

Disclaimer : This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Physical Requirements :

Working Conditions : Work is generally performed in a normal office environment.