Account Clerk

The work involves responsibility for performance of standard account-keeping practices in maintaining and checking financial accounts and records, electronically, on hard copy, or both. Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for entering and retrieving information from a computer database and using a computer or word processor to produce printed material such as forms, letters and memoranda. The incumbent works under supervision on routine assignments that are done in accordance with defined procedures; detailed instructions are provided for new or unusual assignments. This class differs from Senior Account Clerk by virtue of the limited complexity of the work. The work is reviewed by observation, crosschecks, or by the immediate supervisor and by other steps in the account-keeping process. Does related work as required.

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma; AND
(a) Supplemental courses in bookkeeping; OR
(b) One (1) year of experience or its part-time equivalent maintaining financial accounts and records. Note: Successful completion of coursework in accounting, business administration, or closely related field at a regionally accredited college or university, or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees, may be substituted for the required experience with three (3) semester credit hours of related coursework as indicated above being equivalent to three (3) months of experience.

The use of calculators is ALLOWED for this examination. The written test will be administered on a personal computer (PC). Candidates need no prior knowledge of computers in order to take the test. The test uses a simple point-and-click system that is thoroughly explained through an animated instruction program. Candidates will be given a sample test on which to practice before the actual test begins.
1. CLERICAL OPERATIONS WITH LETTERS AND NUMBERS - These questions are designed to test the candidate’s visual perception and basic clerical accuracy in working with alphanumeric characters. The candidate is required to read, compare, check, reorder, and count letters and numbers following specific directions for each question. Knowledge of the alphabet and the ability to count are required.
2. ARITHMETIC COMPUTATION - These questions are designed to test a candidate’s ability to perform basic computations using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Questions may also involve the use of fractions, decimals, averages and percents
3. ARITHMETIC REASONING - These questions are designed to test a candidate’s ability to solve an arithmetic problem presented in sentence or short paragraph form. The candidate must read the problem, understand the situation presented, decide what must be done to solve it, and apply the appropriate arithmetic operation(s) in the appropriate order in order to determine the correct solution. Knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is necessary. Questions may also involve the use of percents, decimals, and fractions. A Guide for the Written Test for Entry-Level Account/Audit Clerical examinations is available at the New York State website: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm. Candidates not having access to a computer or the internet may request copy of the test guide from the municipal civil service office conducting this examination using the contact information found elsewhere on this announcement.

There are no residency requirements for this examination. However, preference in appointment may be given to successful candidates who have been residents of Otsego County for at least one month immediately preceding the scheduled date of the written examination. Applicants must have been legal residents of a school district within the ONC BOCES for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application.

The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies as they occur in County departments and all the Towns, Villages, School Districts and the Otsego Catskill Northern BOCES under the jurisdiction of the Otsego County Personnel/Civil Service Office.