The City of Auburn has an open opportunity for accounting majors to work part-time as a Student Public Finance Specialist. This is an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience in the government sector. 

The opportunity closes September 22, 2021 at 11:59PM (CST). 

Learn More & Apply .

Below are some key excerpts from the job description. 

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General Statement of Duties

Performs a wide variety of administrative and technical support duties to Finance staff to help the department function more efficiently.

Distinguishing Features

The principal function of an employee in this class is to provide support duties to the Finance Department. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Principal Financial Analyst or Water Board Accountant, but some leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. An employee in this class must be capable of working independently and be able to establish priorities under the general guidance of the Principal Financial Analyst or Water Board Accountant. An employee in this class performs the duties of other employees in the Finance Department as required or as assigned by supervisory personnel. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Department and City and Water Board employees and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment, typically while sitting at a desk or table.

Examples of Essential Work

• Performs research, performance measurement tasks and other projects under the supervision of the Principal Financial Analyst or Water Board Accountant;
• Publishes and distributes budget documents and other financial reports as directed by the Finance Information Officer and the Principal Financial Analyst;
• Organizes files under the supervision of the Finance Information Officer;
• Serves as a back-up to the City Revenue Office staff during rush periods by entering zero returns, sorting incoming mail, and entering tax payments;
• Processes travel and training forms as necessary;
• Enters utility payments, files customer records and sorts incoming mail to assist the Water Revenue Office;
• Checks Accounts Payable Office voucher packets for accuracy before entering;
• Performs internal control review of Water Board final bill refund checks;
• Works in conjunction with the Revenue Accountant to review taxpayers’ annual Occupation License Fee reconciliations for accuracy and analytical review of taxpayer database;
• Performs building maintenance tasks to assist the Purchasing Officer;
• Updates departmental procedures as directed by supervisory personnel;
• Conducts research on a variety of topics as directed by supervisory personnel;
• Types a variety of documents including letters, memoranda, reports, schedules, purchase orders, calendars, bulletins, and narrative and statistical reports as instructed and requested by supervisor and other designated office personnel;
• Copies, assembles, packages, and distributes a variety of written material as requested;
• Operates computer to type documents, input records, maintain databases and produce reports for management analysis;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Interprets and applies departmental rules, policies and regulations in accordance with prescribed procedures and guidelines;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others, including department heads to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Some knowledge of the functions of a Finance Department within a city government;
• Knowledge of various finance techniques, including calculation of interest, using appropriate computer software;
• Basic knowledge of financial instruments, such as leases, loans, investments, and mortgages;
• Thorough knowledge of modern office procedures, practices and equipment;
• Thorough knowledge of modern office filing systems and procedures;
• Skill in the use of electronic word processing and spreadsheet software and document sharing software, as well as simple database design and use;
• Ability to work independently, with some supervision;
• Ability to deal with a wide range of persons at all levels within and outside of the City government, including situations in which individuals may be upset over some issue involving City or Water Board activities or policies;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all matters documented or discussed during the course of work performed;
• Ability in math to add, subtract, multiply, divide and derive percentages;
• Ability in writing to prepare correspondences according to standard business practices;
• Ability to learn, apply and explain City and Water Board policies and Departmental rules, procedures, practices and objectives;
• Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to proofread and edit a wide variety of technical and non-technical documents, including narratives, spreadsheets, charts and graphs;
• Ability to read and understand college-level written material concerning various issues in public finance;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
• Ability to efficiently manage time and to prioritize work in a multi-tasking environment;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties, tasks, and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.