Accounting Specialist
Join the team at Marion County Health & Human Services as an Accounting Specialist and play a key role in supporting the financial operations of a department that makes a real difference in our community. We're looking for someone who is detail-oriented, adaptable, and thrives in both independent and team environments.
In this position, you'll contribute to essential accounting functions, including :
- Processing vendor invoices and payments
- Coordinating purchase orders and procurement activities.
- Purchasing for other program areas.
- Reviewing and reconciling procurement card transactions.
- Supporting the transition to updated accounting systems.
This is a full-time opportunity where strong organizational skills and accuracy are highly valued. If you enjoy problem-solving, balancing multiple responsibilities, and want to apply your expertise to support services that improve community well-being, we encourage you to apply. Be part of a department that values accountability, adaptability, teamwork, and transparency while advancing our mission to promote and advance a healthy community.
General statement of duties include performing detailed accounting work including financial record keeping in the assigned area of specialty, prepare and analyze financial, statistical and accounting summaries and reports. Work under the supervision of a supervisor who assigns work and reviews results for conformance to department policies and standards. Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this class. However, incumbents may exercise lead responsibility over other employees.
Typical Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to the following :
Responsible for setting up purchase orders (POs).Responsible for monitoring of POs working closely with contracts team, management, finance, and service area staff to ensure that correct account numbers are used.Getting authorization for adding lines to purchase orders when funds are used up.Maintain payment sheets in Excel to track payments, by service element, for contracted providers.Processing all accounts payable payments for the department.Matching payments with Purchase Orders.Independently research payments and correspond with department staff and external agencies to resolve billing discrepancies or vendor issues.Keep accounts current and resolve problems.Prioritize workload to meet deadlines, managing urgent or time-dated items, arranging backup for absences.Supply accounts payable information as needed from programs, management and others as needed. This includes monitoring the HealthAP email box (shared tasks).Work collaboratively and cooperatively with County Finance in an effort to ensure accurate record keeping is maintained.Make sure that purchasing policy guidelines are being followed by HHS employees.Make sure payments are in compliance with County policy and good accounting practices.Supply Accounts Payable backup for auditor requests.Provide training for Accounts Payable team members.Provide occasional training for Health Department staff and management.Collaborate with Accounting and Budget employees. This includes working with the new ERP System and provide insight and recommendations. Help management maintain purchasing policies as needed.Provide purchasing and procurement for other departments for various items needed in programs. This includes booking hotels, meeting clients to purchase items and ordering items on the internet.Perform cash control of service areas (emergency petty cash and change box). Monitor safe.Generate a summary report and distribute it to service area supervisors.Open Health Department mail.Attend meetings.Back up for tracking copier leases for the Health Department and notify Office Managers prior to leases expiring.Reset machines and compute usage charges by service code quarterly.Work with vendor on new leases.Problem solves with IT to obtain accurate meter readings for each machine.Backup for department "P-Cards" (procurement card system).Request cards as needed, setup and delete users, manage responsibility spreadsheet, act as resource for questions.Assure monthly transactions are completed by all levels of responsibility card holder, manager, and auditor.Responsible for archiving p-card records. Assist with online p-card purchases including working with staff and management on travel arrangements.Assist staff and management with purchasing related issues and ensure purchasing policy is followed.Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.Requirements for the Position
Experience and training :
Graduation from high school or equivalent; ANDTwo years of experience in responsible accounting and, or bookkeeping work; ORAny satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position.Necessary special requirements :
The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check.This position may be subject to the following : Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).This assignment is represented by a union.This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.Typical Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 am - 5 : 00 pm, with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.Preferences :
Supplemental college or business school training in bookkeeping, accounting or government accounting.Knowledge, skills and abilities :
Detailed knowledge of principles and practices of financial record keeping; accounting and bookkeeping systems, procedures and techniques; financial terminology; financial information systems and spreadsheet software; office practices, procedures and equipment.Skills and abilities to interpret and process financial documents according to appropriate procedures; accurately count, record and balance transactions; perform arithmetic calculations and enter data with speed and accuracy; operate a calculator, computer terminal, typewriter and other office equipment; analyze and interpret data; exercise good judgment in making finance related decisions; act as an accounting resource to all county departments and assist in applying accounting practices to diverse business environments; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with vendors, customers and county employees.Physical requirements :
Stands, sits, moves about the work area, bending forward; reaches overhead; lifts 10 lbs.; carries and pushes items weighing up to 10 lbs. 20 feet; operates a keyboard; speaks in a clear and audible voice; reads 12-point font; distinguish colors; ability to hear at a normal speech level; works in normal office environment and may be exposed to office chemicals.Additional Information
Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Student Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your student loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.
Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
Applicants are eligible to use Veterans' Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.
Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.
Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation, through Human Resources, in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying. Please e-mail Human Resources if you wish to request an accommodation.
Marion County offers a generous benefits package to regular employees working 50% or more of the regularly scheduled work week and their eligible dependents. Temporary employees and part-time regular employees working