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Led by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials from each of the 24 cities and towns and the five county supervisorial districts, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) staff is focused primarily on freeway, interchange, and transit enhancements to the region that first and foremost benefit the taxpayer of San Bernardino County. Coupling that effort with various non-transportation related objectives from the Council of Governments role of the agency brings the mission of providing quality of life improvements to the residents, business operators, and commuters of our region to the forefront.

For more than four decades, SBCTA (previously known as SANBAG) has taken pride in delivering on its commitment to the voters through the implementation of Measure I. This half-cent sales tax that generates transportation dollars that are from the region and for the region is a critical element in the agency's goal to keep people and goods moving effectively. SBCTA calls the historic San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot home. Our headquarters not only positions the agency in the heart of the county, but is symbolic of our longstanding commitment to transportation.

ABOUT THE JOB
Under general supervision, performs a variety of accounting support duties in the preparation, maintenance, and processing of accounting records and transactions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll, in addition to balancing and maintaining manual and computerized accounting and financial records; assists in preparation of schedules and reconciliations for annual audits and annual financial statements; and performs related work as required.

Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives general supervision from the Senior Accountant, Accounting Supervisor, and/or Chief of Fiscal Resources. Exercises no supervision of staff.

Class Characteristics
This is the journey-level in the Accounting Assistant class series that performs accounting support work in the following areas: accounts receivable and accounts payable, payroll, budgets and contracts in addition to performing a wide variety of record keeping, reconciliation, and account support activities. As knowledge and experience are gained, the work becomes broader in scope, assignments are more varied, and are performed under more general supervision. Positions at this level usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. This class is distinguished from the Senior Accounting Assistant in that the latter performs technical work with higher level of complexity and difficulty in assigned accounting/finance areas.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS:

• 
  Verifies, posts, and records financial transactions; prepares and maintains databases, records, and reports; generates reports by computer and balances them appropriately.
• Maintains a variety of ledgers, registers, and journals according to established accounting policies and procedures; reconciles transactions and data as directed; records changes and resolves differences; maintains the accuracy of accounting and financial records.
• Assists with the preparation of schedules and reconciliations for the annual audit, including providing requested files and information.
• Utilizes various computer applications and financial system; enters and maintains data; creates spreadsheets and generates reports using the financial system and spreadsheet software; creates documents using word processing software.
• Responds to requests for information and compiles data for financial reports.
• Performs accounting support duties including posting, balancing, adjusting, and maintaining manual and computerized account and financial records according to established policies and procedures.
• Provides back up support for other accounting functions as required.

• Processes and prepares documentation for payment; confers with vendors as necessary; enters and verifies data into the automated accounting system to produce payment; prepares payments for mailing and files copies with backup; verifies contract, purchase orders and budget balances before processing payments.
• Audits, verifies, codes, and batches accounts payable transactions; matches purchase orders, contracts, and invoices; researches discrepancies and unauthorized purchases; checks allocations against department and program budget appropriations; prepares payment requests; balances and maintains retention accounts; liquidates purchase orders; processes purchasing requisitions for the assigned department.
• Requests and obtains necessary information and paperwork from vendors; prepares vendor invoice tracking; inputs vendor invoices and prints checks; totals and balances accounts.
• Assists all SBCTA staff, contractors, member agencies and/or vendors by providing answers and information on accounts payable, account information, discrepancies, or general accounting procedures; researches issues regarding specific transactions; resolves discrepancies in an efficient and timely manner; and updates related files on action items.

• Receives and balances checks and general ledger debits; identifies type of checks received (i.e. payment, revenue or reduction) and processes accordingly; allocates revenue to proper cost accounts; posts revenue, prepares bank deposits and related reports.
• Prepares SBCTA Deposit Distribution forms; compiles and collects information and back up documents.
• Updates grant tracking sheets to record the receipt of payments.
• Generates and distributes invoices; generates and monitors aging schedules and follows up on past due invoices related to licenses and leases. Researches and resolves billing discrepancies.
• Maintains the leases and licenses database.

• Audits timesheets.
• Processes payroll, benefits, timesheets, purchase orders, IRS 1099 and W-9 forms, capital assets, personal and miscellaneous billings and other technical transactions.
• Prepares reconciliation of payroll and Employment Development Department (EDD) Reports.
• Maintains employee payroll files to ensure confidentiality and in accordance with record retention guidelines.
• Coordinates the submittal of paperwork necessary to add, terminate, increase pay rates, selection of employee benefit

• Reviews accounts to determine accuracy of records; creates routine journal entries and posts in the financial system.
• Maintains check registers and manages cash requirements.
• Supports the procurement function in updating contracts; reviews and analyzes minute actions, contract budgets, contingency information, and expiration dates.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual budget, including processing journal entries to record the adopted budget.
• Processes budget adjustments and amendments in the accounting system.
• Assists in the annual inventory of capitalized and non-capitalized assets.

Knowledge of:

• Accounting principles and practices for public sector bookkeeping.
• Terminology and practices of financial and account document processing and record keeping, including payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable.
• Applicable state and federal statues, rules, codes and regulations.
• Payroll and benefits accounting rules, regulations, methods and procedures.
• Business arithmetic and basic financial and statistical techniques.
• Computer applications related to the work, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, SBCTA staff and staff of member agencies in person and over the telephone.

• Perform detailed account and financial office support work accurately and in a timely manner.
• Interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures.
• Make accurate arithmetic and financial computations.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Handle confidential information appropriately.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, and prudence within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License and proof of automobile liability insurance by time of appointment.
• Position may require pre-employment background investigation, physical and drug test.

Physical Demands

SBCTA offers a generous benefit package:

• Cafeteria Plan which employees can use to choose the following:
  • Health & Dental Insurance; and
  • Life, AD&D, Cancer, and Critical Illness Insurance
• Paid Vision Insurance for employee and eligible dependents.
• Retirement Program in the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA). As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA):
  • Tier 1 Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @55 with a 7.2% employee member required contribution.
  • New Tier 2 Members' retirement benefit formula is 2.5% @67 with a 9.04% employee member required contribution (FY 22/23).
• Generous Deferred Compensation program.
• $50,000 Basic Term Life Insurance.
• Vacation Leave: Starts at 10 days per year and increases based on years of service. Potential vacation credit for prior employment.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of 96 hours per year.
• Holidays: 13 paid holidays per year.
• 9/80 Alternative Work Schedule
• Telecommute options for select positions.
• Service Awards
• Other benefits, including employee assistance program, employee wellness program, short term and long term disability, tuition reimbursement, and alternate transportation incentive program, etc.