Description
SALARY
Accounting Technician I: $27.88 - $38.43 Hourly; $57,990 - $79,934 Annually
Accounting Technician II: $30.77 - $42.41 Hourly; $60,002 - $88,213 Annually
Mesa Water District is now accepting applications for an Accounting Technician I/II to join the Financial Services team at our District! This is a new position at our District which will be primarily in charge of processing Accounts Payable, and perform other clerical and technical accounting duties to support the department. Come join our growing team!
Why Work For Us?
•Competitive Pay & Benefits - We offer strong compensation and benefits packages (including $2,400/mo. to spend on benefits) that are regularly evaluated to stay ahead of industry standards.
•Supportive Work Culture - At Mesa Water, we foster a fun, collaborative environment where meaningful relationships and teamwork thrive.
•Employee-Centered Environment - Our organization-wide engagement program reflects our deep commitment to keeping employees motivated, supported, and excited about their work.
•No Government Experience? No Problem - We're open to fresh perspectives. While prior experience in government accounting is a plus, it’s not required. This is a great opportunity for motivated professionals looking to transition into the public sector and grow their career in a supportive environment.
•Opportunity for Growth - Join a team that values your development. This role provides a structured path for promotion within the Accounting Technician series, with opportunities for skill development and increased responsibility.
What We're Looking For:
•Experience performing Accounts Payable
•Experience with a robust financial system
•Strong Attention to Detail
Interested candidates must submit their applications by 11:59 PM on Monday, July 28, 2025. Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a selection process that may consist of a written exam and interview panels.
The Position
Accounting Technician I: This is the entry level class in the Accounting Technician series performing clerical and technical accounting duties. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine customer service support. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and 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.
Accounting Technician II: This is the fully qualified journey-level classification in the Accounting Technician series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Accounting Technician II level are normally filled by advancement from the Accounting Technician I level.
Financial Services Department Organizational Structure
Representative Duties
•Processes accounts payable; enters receiving documents and invoices into accounts payable module, verifies accuracy of invoices, packing slips, purchase orders, and inventory orders; resolves discrepancies; obtains documentation/signatures as necessary to ensure proper approval and verification has been met to pay all invoices; prepares cash requirements and prints checks; assists in balancing the accounts payable module to the general ledger; prepares recurring payables for beginning of fiscal year.
•Performs a variety of clerical and technical accounting duties in support of assigned accounting system, function, or program area including in maintaining general ledger and financial reports, monitoring cash balances, assisting with cash management, and other areas as assigned.
•Prepares numerous financial, accounting, and statistical statements, analyses, documents, and reports; gathers and organizes data to assist staff in the preparation of reports and recommendations; prepares routine financial, accounting, budgetary, and statistical studies and reports; reviews and analyzes financial statements for accuracy with regard to balances and budget variances; prepares monthly Treasurer’s/status report and transactions report on investments; posts investment related transactions; transfers funds to and from investment accounts as necessary.
•Performs cash management activities; posts and reconciles information including customer service payment batches, collection agency fees and payments, credit and debit memos, bank return items, and adjusting transactions; reconciles water sales accounts receivable and customer deposits; prepares bank deposits and reconciles cash on hand account; disburses petty cash; records, posts, and deposits miscellaneous cash and check receipts; monitors bank balances and assists with cash management; sets-up customer jobs in project accounting and enters engineering fees into project accounting.
•Ensures water meter reading route preparation for billing is processed in a timely manner; balances billing statements with consumption totals; researches discrepancies; corrects errors in system prior to exporting bills to mailing contractor.
•Creates new and/or updates changes to records in the computer system related to meter changes; performs meter upgrades/downgrades.
•Processes and mails delinquent notices; processes shut-offs for non-payment and debiting fees; provides shut-off notice to residents of multi-unit residential properties in accordance with SB998.
•Arranges special payment schedules for past-due/slow pay accounts; contacts delinquent customers regarding possible termination of service; initiates termination process; processes service termination final notices;
•Records, tracks, and maintains bankruptcy files and sets up new accounts identifying that it is a bankruptcy. Processes unpaid closed accounts; processes collection agency reports and generates penalties; refers past due accounts to collection agency. Performs a variety of duties related to customer rate changes (e.g., enters and tests rates with mass mail vendor, updates bill messages, etc.).
•Performs a variety of general office support tasks in support of department operations; assists and backs-up other staff and functions including department phones, mail, and related operations; prepares, reviews, formats, edits, copies, and distributes documents; operates a variety of office equipment; troubleshoots and maintains office equipment.
•Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner; assists with troubleshooting customer accounts and water billing software issues; works closely with customer service area to resolve discrepancies.
•May process accounts receivable; prepare invoices, follow-up on delinquent payments, prepare aging report and reconcile account receivable accounts, and identify uncollectable accounts.
•May lead, plan, train, and review the work of less experienced and knowledgeable staff; provides training to assigned employees in their areas of work.
•Performs a variety of duties related to customer refund checks.
•Performs duties related to electronic fund transfers and payments and wire transfers; processes all construction customer electronic fund payments; processes electronic fund transfer of retirement contributions and monthly health premium; prepares wire transfers for water, investment, loans, and payroll related items.
•Prepares, maintains, and/or verifies a variety of accounting, financial, and statistical records, ledgers, logs, and files; gathers, assembles, tabulates, enters, checks, verifies, balances, adjusts, records, and files financial data; codes data according to prescribed accounting procedures; reviews information to ensure accurate reporting; resolves discrepancies; establishes and maintains various files and records.
•Assists in the preparation of financial, accounting, and statistical statements, analyses, documents, and reports; gathers and organizes data to assist staff in the preparation of reports and recommendations; assists in the preparation of various schedules for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
•Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum & Desired Qualifications
Accounting Technician I
•Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. College level course work in bookkeeping, accounting, business administration, or a related field is desirable.
•One year of clerical and routine technical accounting experience involving the maintenance and posting of accounting, financial, and/or statistical records.
Accounting Technician II
•Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. College level course work in bookkeeping, accounting, business administration, or a related field is desirable.
•Two years of increasingly responsible clerical and technical accounting experience performing duties comparable to an Accounting Technician I with Mesa Water District.
Knowledge of:
•Principles of providing functional direction and training.
•Clerical and technical accounting principles and practices used in difficult and complex financial record keeping and reporting.
•Procedures, policies, rules, and practices affecting the development, maintenance, and control of fiscal record keeping systems.
•Operations, services, and activities of assigned accounting system, function, or program area.
•Responsible clerical and routine technical accounting principles and practices used in financial record keeping and reporting.
•Basic governmental accounting principles and procedures and District accounting system requirements. Principles and practices used in establishing and maintaining files and information retrieval systems.
•Methods and techniques of coding, verifying, balancing, and reconciling accounting records.
•Principles and practices of fiscal, statistical, and administrative record keeping and reporting.
•Basic account auditing and mathematical principles and practices.
•Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
•Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
•The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
•Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
•Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.
Ability To:
•Perform a full range of clerical and technical accounting duties in support of assigned accounting system, function, or program area.
•Provide lead supervision and training to assigned staff.
•Review financial records, reports, and related documents, identify discrepancies, and resolve problems related to assigned are of responsibility.
•Advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations; interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.
•Perform a variety of accounting, fiscal, and statistical record keeping duties including to maintain and reconcile a variety of records and files; review financial records, reports, and related documents, identify discrepancies, and resolve problems related to assigned area of responsibility.
•Understand the organization and operation of the District and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
•Understand and apply pertinent laws, codes, and regulations as well as organization and department rules, policies, and procedures with good judgment.
•Classify, compute, and tabulate data and information following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some judgment.
•Compare, count, differentiate, measure, assemble, copy, and record and transcribe data and information.
•Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately including to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
•Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
•Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
•Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
•Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
•Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, Procedural and legal guidelines.
•Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Holidays – Mesa Water provides full-time employees with 107 holiday hours per year, comprised of twelve observed holidays (96 hours) and (11) floating holiday hours.
Vacation – Employees accrue between eighty-eight (88) and one hundred and sixty (160) hours annually, depending on tenure. Accrued time is available to use after six months.
Sick Leave – Employees accrue ninety-six (96) hours per year, with no maximum accrual cap.
Retirement – Mesa Water employees participate in CalPERS retirement.
Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired employees who are new CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% at age 62 defined benefit plan with a three-year final compensation in accordance with PEPRA. New members will be required to pay 8.25% of pension reportable salary as their full share of their member contribution.
An employee who is a "classic" member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ 55 benefit formula with one-year final compensation. Effective 1/6/17, employees pay 7.0% of the employee contribution to CalPERS.
The District participates in Social Security. Please contact Human Resources if you have more questions.
Cafeteria Plan Benefits – Employees receive a $2,400 “Flex Credit” allocation per month to be used towards health benefits including medical, dental and vision. Flex credits not used towards benefits may be taken as additional taxable non-“Persable” income.
Deferred Compensation – A voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (Section 457) is available to employees through Empower Retirement. Eligible employees may receive dollar for dollar employer match up to 3.5% of salary per calendar year.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Employees may participate in either or both of Mesa Water's Section 125 plan flexible spending accounts: Dependent Care Reimbursement (eligible upon hire) and Medical Expense Reimbursement (after one-year).
Life Insurance – Full-time employees are covered by $200,000 in group term life insurance paid by District (benefit decreases at age 65).
Long Term Disability (LTD) – Full-time employees receive District-paid LTD insurance coverage equal to 2/3 of salary ($12,000 maximum monthly benefit) after a 90-day waiting period.
Short-Term Disability – The District participates in State Disability Insurance (SDI).
Automobile Allowance – Management employees receive an Automobile Allowance per month.
9/80 Work Schedule – Employees are offered a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off.
Tuition Reimbursement and Educational Incentives
Salary Increases – Based on performance, new Mesa Water employees are eligible for merit step increases at 6-months and 12-months, and annually thereafter.
Costa Mesa, CA
Full-time
$88,213-$88,213
