Tribal Accounting Specialist

Agency: Cahuilla Band of Indians

Position: Accounting Specialist

Location: Cahuilla Indian Reservation, Anza, CA 92539

Reports to: Accounting Manager

Summary:

The Accounts Payables Specialist is responsible for the Tribe's day-to-day financial transactions, including accounts payable, Tribal credit card reconciliations, and other transactional tasks. The Accounting Specialist must exercise discretion in executing essential functions and be able to work independently, following through on assignments with minimal direction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyzes and processes accounts payable on time.
• Codes such items as invoices, vouchers, expense reports, check requests, etc., with correct codes conforming to standard procedures to ensure proper entry into the financial system.
• Handles all vendor correspondence via phone or email.
• Investigate and resolve problems associated with the processing of invoices.
• Prepares check requests and processes monthly membership payments or distributions.
• Reconciles various accounts monthly, bringing any discrepancies to the attention of the Accounting Manager.
• Receives, researches, and resolves various routine internal and external inquiries concerning account status, including communicating the resolution of discrepancies to appropriate persons.
• Files maintains, and distributes accounting documents, records, and reports.
• Assist in compiling information and preparing responses to auditors during the annual external audit.
• Assist with monitoring and reporting for the Credit Card SOP and Accounting and Financial Management Manual.
• Data entry for payroll action forms and updating the payroll system and employee benefits allocations.
• Prepare and process payroll and payroll journal entries.
• Review check request forms and process checks.
• Reconcile various general ledger Accounts Manager.
• Analyze expense and income account variances associated with account details.
• Analyze credit card expenditures and allocate them to proper expense accounts.
• Required to multi-task.
• Engage and be open to change, including willing to learn new skills.
• Ability to follow up on pending issues.
• Ability to meet various accounting and financial deadlines.
• Performs other duties as required to support the Finance Department.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Governmental Accounting Standards, accounting principles and concepts.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting with grants. Tribal accounting experience is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and record keeping.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to interact with vendors, employees, and Council members.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve payment discrepancies and identify process improvements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information.
• Solid understanding of accounts payable processes, including invoice processing, payment disbursements, and vendor management.
• 2 years of experience in an accounting payable role.
• 2 years of experience using financial/accounting software packages.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including effective interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• A finance role in a tribal government agency or other not-for-profit organization is helpful. (2) years in Tribal Finance experience a plus.
• Proficient in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience with Sirenic Navigator is a plus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: ( To qualify for this position, all minimum requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. )

• Education: Associate degree or higher is preferred in Business, Accounting, or Finance; or
• High School Diploma or General school degree (H.S./G.E.D.) pulse college-level coursework or Vocational/Trade plus.
• (2) years of equivalent work experience related, maybe in substitution for the education requirement.
• Work Experience: Minimum of two years equivalent to Finance and accounting areas.
• Cahuilla/ or other Federally Recognized Native American preference applies.
• Must possess a valid California State Driver's License.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Successfully passes background investigation, including coordination under Cahuilla Tribal Gaming License or permit systems.
• Clearance must meet eligibility under Cahuilla Band of Indians Insurance.
• Pre-employment Drug Screening.