COURT ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Under the guidance and direction of the Court Business Manager, the Court Accounting Assistant supports accounting internal control procedures to receive and disburse large volumes of money, updates accounting records and general ledgers, and prepares accounting reports, documents, and related correspondence.

Administrative Accounting

• Process accounts receivable, accounts payable, and purchase orders within the City’s current financial management information system (FMIS); enter and maintain required vendor data.
• Perform data entry into spreadsheets for budget tracking and generate basic budget reports via FMIS.
• Prepare daily deposits and accurately balance all tender and transactions on a daily basis.
• Assist defendants in setting up payment plans.
• Process incoming daily mail, including opening, sorting, logging, and applying payments.
• Prepare Jury Demands and Appeals for filing with the Circuit Court.
• Maintain physical and electronic files for the work section.
• Answer questions or route inquiries related to court collection efforts.
• Accurately enter case payment information into the Case Automated Tracking System (CATS).

Accounting and Cash Handling

• Perform daily cash, check, or credit card payment processing, either in-person or over the phone.
• Provide information to defendants regarding Tax Refund Intercept Payments (TRIP) and process incoming funds.  
• Balance all tender and transactions accurately daily.
• Prepare daily deposits and financial reports.
• Assist with the preparation of accounting reports, accounting documents, and related correspondence.
• Perform simple to complex clerical and accounting functions relating to Court financial operations.
• Process accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other financial transactions in FMIS.

Court-Related Financial and Customer Service

• Provide backup customer service to the Court Services section.
• Provide information to the public regarding court policies and procedures.
• Respond to inquiries from the Chief and Deputy Court Administrator.
• Participate in staff development activities as outlined by the Chief and Deputy Court Administrator.
• Respond to request for information from Municipal Court Judges, the Chief Court Administrator, and the Deputy Court Administrator. 

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• Must be willing and able to lift and move up to 10 pounds on occasion.
• Must be willing to work beyond standard business hours to meet departmental needs, including scheduled monthly night court hours, weekend warrant withdrawal sessions, and community engagement events. 

1. Two years of financial office support experience related to the essential functions listed above, including one year of experience performing accounting or financial assistance and/or high-volume monetary transactions.

Equivalent combinations of education and professional experience will be considered.

Notice: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Experience in a legal setting.
• Experience in governmental accounting.

Technical

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and practices.
• Ability to work with computerized accounting systems, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Ability to download Excel spreadsheets and manipulate data.
• Ability to accurately enter case payment information into CATS.
• Ability to use appropriate mathematical methods or formulas to complete work assignments.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret work-related documents such as court documents, processes, policies, procedures, and manuals.   
• Ability to understand the judicial system and how it functions.

Critical Thinking and Judgment

• Ability to exhibit exemplary professionalism.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete work assignments using effective time management skills.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to identify problems and develop and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and flexibility.
• Honesty, integrity, and the ability to discreetly handle confidential information.

Communication, Interpersonal, and Customer Service

• Ability to work courteously, cooperatively, and effectively with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Written communication skills to write clear and concise documents and correspondence.
• Verbal communication skills to clearly convey information.
• Knowledge of and commitment to customer service best practices.
• Ability to provide exemplary customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain professional, courteous, and effective working relationships with judges, court staff, attorneys, other departments, other jurisdictions, and the public.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to engage effectively with a diverse group of high-level community stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

The current salary range (Pay Range 6KN) is $49,324-$58,914 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $50,804-$60,681 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE – The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information can be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286‑3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.