California Highway Patrol · 1 week ago
ACCOUNTING OFFICER (SPECIALIST)
CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$5,266/mo - $6,591/moCalifornia Highway Patrol is seeking an Accounting Officer (Specialist) to manage complex payment processing using the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal). The role involves verifying invoices, creating vouchers, and ensuring compliance with state regulations while providing financial information to departmental staff and suppliers.
Law EnforcementPublic Safety
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Using the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal), create vouchers for the most complex payments which may include purchase orders, purchase orders for contracts, rents, direct transfers and settlements
Verify invoices for accuracy, appropriate authority, and approvals
Make payments in accordance with the California Prompt Payment Act, State Administrative Manual, State Controller's Office (SCO), Board of Control and all applicable rules, regulations, and departmental procedures
This is accomplished by validating charges on supplier invoices against the purchase order, if applicable, ensuring invoices have the appropriate approvals, identifying issues in good and/or services received
Identify payment errors or inaccuracies and notify suppliers and program staff and follow up to ensure charges were corrected by supplier on subsequent invoices
Ensure that invoices are coded correctly and, where there is one contract for multiple areas, ensure that the amount alloted for each area within the contract is not over expended
Ensure that variances between the contract accounting records and independent payment logs are researched and reconciled; ensure that contract payment amounts reflect the latest rates included in the contracts; maintain and review payment and transaction histories to ensure that cumulative payments do not exceed contracted authority; and all documentation is provided, as necessary, to SCO to efficiently process the payments
Create vouchers in FI$Cal using the Office Revolving Fund (ORF) as requested
Ensure the ORF is replenished timely and in accordance with State laws, rules, and regulations
This requires constant communication with area and division offices to ensure appropriate documentation is acquired to process revolving fund replenishment
Reviewing and approving Procurement-card vouchers which are created through the voucher build process as well and monitoring and correcting any voucher build errors
Creating new petty cash and change funds and replenishing petty cash and change funds through the creation of vouchers
Independently research and provide information, assistance, necessary action and correspondence to various levels of departmental staff, suppliers, and control agencies; research and respond to various requests for financial information from Department managers via e-mail and phone calls
Prepare dispute notifications and stop payment requests
When necessary, determine the cause of overpayment and the appropriate course of action needed to recoup any duplicate payments
Work with vendors to recover over payments, and when received, ensure that payments are coded correctly to properly abate the funds
Assist other accounts payable staff in resolving issues and providing guidance, as necessary
Assist in the training of new staff
Answer accounts payable unit 's mainline phone and sort and distribute the incoming mail on a rotational basis
Using FI$Cal, create new suppliers
Update current supplier information, as needed (i.e., address or name change)
Work with suppliers to obtain the information necessary to pay the supplier
Perform other duties, within the scope of the classification, as assigned
Qualification
Required
Using the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal), create vouchers for the most complex payments which may include purchase orders, purchase orders for contracts, rents, direct transfers and settlements
Verify invoices for accuracy, appropriate authority, and approvals
Make payments in accordance with the California Prompt Payment Act, State Administrative Manual, State Controller's Office (SCO), Board of Control and all applicable rules, regulations, and departmental procedures
This is accomplished by validating charges on supplier invoices against the purchase order, if applicable, ensuring invoices have the appropriate approvals, identifying issues in good and/or services received
Identify payment errors or inaccuracies and notify suppliers and program staff and follow up to ensure charges were corrected by supplier on subsequent invoices
Ensure that invoices are coded correctly and, where there is one contract for multiple areas, ensure that the amount alloted for each area within the contract is not over expended
Ensure that variances between the contract accounting records and independent payment logs are researched and reconciled; ensure that contract payment amounts reflect the latest rates included in the contracts; maintain and review payment and transaction histories to ensure that cumulative payments do not exceed contracted authority; and all documentation is provided, as necessary, to SCO to efficiently process the payments
Create vouchers in FI$Cal using the Office Revolving Fund (ORF) as requested
Ensure the ORF is replenished timely and in accordance with State laws, rules, and regulations
This requires constant communication with area and division offices to ensure appropriate documentation is acquired to process revolving fund replenishment
Reviewing and approving Procurement-card vouchers which are created through the voucher build process as well and monitoring and correcting any voucher build errors
Creating new petty cash and change funds and replenishing petty cash and change funds through the creation of vouchers
Independently research and provide information, assistance, necessary action and correspondence to various levels of departmental staff, suppliers, and control agencies; research and respond to various requests for financial information from Department managers via e-mail and phone calls
Prepare dispute notifications and stop payment requests
When necessary, determine the cause of overpayment and the appropriate course of action needed to recoup any duplicate payments
Work with vendors to recover over payments, and when received, ensure that payments are coded correctly to properly abate the funds
Assist other accounts payable staff in resolving issues and providing guidance, as necessary
Assist in the training of new staff
Answer accounts payable unit 's mainline phone and sort and distribute the incoming mail on a rotational basis
Using FI$Cal, create new suppliers
Update current supplier information, as needed (i.e., address or name change)
Work with suppliers to obtain the information necessary to pay the supplier
Perform other duties, within the scope of the classification, as assigned
The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified before appointment
To satisfy the minimum qualification requirement with education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for initial review
Original diplomas or official, sealed transcripts will be required before the start date
Applicants with foreign transcript(s)/degree(s) must provide a third-party transcript/degree credential evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign coursework is equivalent
Preferred
Knowledge of accounting
Ability to communicate effectively with excellent customer service
Ability to maintain a workload with few errors with the ability to prioritize
Flexibility with meeting the needs of the Department
Excellent computer skills and familiarity with Excel and Word applications
Ability to work with others at all levels internally and externally
Excellent attendance, dependability and reliable
FI$Cal experience
Benefits
Newer gated campus located close to Downtown Sacramento; offers free parking, electric vehicle charging stations, gym, an ATM, on-site Bistro, and is close to a light rail station.
Close to bike/walking paths along the American River.
Company
California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol provides safety, service, and security to California citizens through our state’s roadways.
Founded in 1929
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Kimberly Holder, MBA, ITIL
Chief Technology Officer / Commander - Information Technology Section
April Baxter
Chief Information Officer
Recent News
Government Technology US
2025-10-16
2025-10-13
Company data provided by crunchbase