Financial Assistant - Accounts Payable

Financial Assistant - Accounts Payable

Salary

$49,062.00 - $60,242.00 Annually

Location

City of San Luis Obispo, CA

Job Type

Regular Full Time

Department

Accounting

Opening Date

07/01/2026

Closing Date

7/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

JOB DESCRIPTION

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, so please hold that date.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

The successful candidate would be an individual who possesses the following attributes: Accurate, organized, ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, active team collaborator, ability to effectively communicate, ability to meet weekly deadlines, ability to learn quickly, and ability to work efficiently. They are committed to providing excellent customer service while interacting with patience, professionalism, and compassion.

An ideal candidate would have enough proven accounts payable experience to thrive in a fast-paced, structured environment. They are comfortable managing a high-volume workload while maintaining a high level of accuracy. They can perform the recurring weekly accounts payable check run process on time. Some of the duties of this position are provided here:

• Processing invoices for payment in the Oracle financial system.
• Reviewing monthly statements to identify and resolve unpaid invoices.
• Responding to phone calls and emails related to purchasing or invoice status.
• Producing and mailing weekly Accounts Payable checks.
• Tracking monthly utility invoices for timely payment.
• Managing a high-volume AP email inbox.

A successful candidate will have strong experience with Microsoft Office software, general computer skills, and be comfortable using multiple software systems simultaneously.

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs a variety of routine financial support activities, which may include processing accounts payable, entering and retrieving data, reviewing credit card and travel-related expenses, answering questions from vendors and City employees, and other related work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

Employees in this classification perform routine financial clerical functions that require attention to detail. Incumbents with basic clerical experience learn departmental policies, procedures, and practices, and as experience is gained, duties are performed with greater independence. Duties are learned in a brief period of time, are clearly defined, and have established guidelines. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. This class may also be used for temporary or part-time staffing, as determined by the needs of the City.

SUPERVISION

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives general supervision from departmental management, supervisory, or professional staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Processes accounts payable transactions, which includes receiving, reviewing, verifying, and processing invoices, bills, grants, refunds, and statements; ensures that invoices are accurate, coded to the correct account, and have the required authorization.
• Reviews credit card and travel-related expenses, ensuring that items are charged to the correct expenditure accounts.
• Enters, edits, updates, verifies, and retrieves data according to established standards and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains records and files following an established records management system.
• Operates standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications.
• Assists with other routine financial and clerical activities as needed.
• Provides assistance and information to the public, vendors, and City employees.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and procedures of bookkeeping and accounting.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment.
• Correct business English, including vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Computer applications and systems related to the work, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database management applications, and enterprise resource planning systems.
• Standard business arithmetic.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public, vendors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of routine financial support duties following standard guidelines.
• Learn and use specialized software related to the Finance Department.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate in both oral and written forms effectively, positively, and tactfully.
• Work efficiently as part of a team and independently.
• Learn methods, principles, and practices of financial and statistical recordkeeping.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Interact courteously with co-workers, vendors, and the public in a manner that projects a positive image of the City and the Finance Department.
• Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.
• Enter data and file with speed and accuracy.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Equivalent to graduation from high school;

and

One year of bookkeeping or general clerical experience.

or

Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting (DOJ)

Equal Opportunity & Language Access Notice

The City of San Luis Obispo values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to fostering a community where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and inclusion, and where everyone can thrive. Our job posting site is compatible with tools such as Google Translate, which applicants may use to view postings in their preferred language. Please note that all application materials and responses must be submitted in English, as English is the working language of the City.

La Ciudad de San Luis Obispo valora la diversidad, la equidad, la inclusión y el sentido de pertenencia. Estamos comprometidos a fomentar una comunidad donde todas las personas sean tratadas con dignidad, respeto e inclusión, y donde todos puedan prosperar. Nuestro sitio de publicación de empleos es compatible con herramientas como Google Translate, que los solicitantes pueden usar para ver las publicaciones en su idioma preferido. Tenga en cuenta que todos los materiales de la solicitud y las respuestas deben enviarse en inglés, ya que el inglés es el idioma de trabajo de la Ciudad.

For questions or assistance, please contact recruitment@slocity.org. Si tiene preguntas o necesita asistencia, por favor comuníquese con recruitment@slocity.org.

For a detailed spreadsheet of employee benefits by bargaining group, please view our Benefits Summary.

Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City participates only in the medicare portion of Social Security.

Health: the City has a cafeteria plan for health, dental and vision insurance and contributes towards medical insurance. Employees may choose from several health insurance options. There are also two dental plans to choose from. See the Benefits Summary link to determine the contribution amount.

Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: group term life and AD&D insurance is provided for all regular employees. The amount of coverage varies depending on the classification. Employees may purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for themselves and their dependents.

Vacation: employees receive 12 days per year increasing to 20 days after 20 years.

Holidays: employees receive 12-13 days per year depending on the classification.

Sick Leave: employees receive 12 days per year.

Administrative Leave: is a benefit available to management employees. The number of administrative leave hours varies depending on the classification.

Flexible Work Schedule: is available to many positions within the City organization.

Long Term Disability Insurance: is available for regular employees. The amount of benefit and contribution by employee varies by classification.

Deferred Compensation: is available for employees to set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis to supplement retirement.

Wellness Program: offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being.

Employee Assistance Program: a counseling and consultation service designed to help employees and eligible family members with a wide range of personal issues.

Flexible Benefits Program: available to help employees save taxes on: (1) Pre-tax health insurance premium deductions, (2) Unreimbursed/ uncovered medical expenses, and (3) Dependent care expenses.

Tuition Reimbursement: up to $1500 annually for job-related educational costs is available to employees who have passed probation.

Trip Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP): incentives are available for employees who voluntarily participate in alternative forms of transportation to and from work.

Computer Purchase Program: interest-free loans to employees who have passed probation and who purchase computers for personal use with City approved software configuration.

Professional Association for City Employees (PACE): voluntary organization for professional development training classes, monthly membership meetings with a variety of speakers, and social functions designed to facilitate interaction with employees from all departments in a relaxed setting away from work.

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• Masters degree or higher
• Bachelors degree
• Associates degree or vocational equivalent
• Some college
• High School/G.E.D.
• None of the above

02

How many years of bookkeeping or general clerical experience do you have?

• 7 years or more
• 6 years to 6 years 11 months
• 5 years to 5 years 11 months
• 4 years to 4 years 11 months
• 3 years to 3 years 11 months
• 2 years to 2 years 11 months
• 1 year to 1 year 11 months
• Less than 1 year
• No Experience

03

Please explain your experience in detail.

04

Describe your experience providing customer service to vendors, coworkers, or the public in a financial or clerical setting.

05

This position requires following established procedures closely. Please give an example of a time you followed a detailed process or guideline accurately.

06

What experience do you have with data entry? Please describe the types of data you managed and the volume/accuracy expectations.

07

What financial or accounting software systems have you worked with? Please list them and describe your level of proficiency.

Required Question

Employer City of San Luis Obispo

Address 990 Palm St

San Luis Obispo, California, 93401

Phone 805-781-7250

Website http://www.slocity.org