Financial Specialist at U.S. Courts

Financial Specialists perform work related to the financial, accounting, and budgetary activities of the court, ensuring compliance with appropriate Judiciary guidelines, policies, and internal controls. This is a generalist position and as needed, the incumbent may be assigned to projects and/or may transition between both the budget and financial accounting areas.

Major duties

• Assist in maintaining, reconciling, and reviewing accounting records, consisting of a cash receipts journal, registry fund, and deposit fund, as well as subsidiary ledgers for allotments and other fiscal records. Perform basic accounts payable and accounts receivable duties. Maintain and review the accuracy and accountability of monies received and disbursed by the court. Assist in the preparation, update, examination, and analysis of a variety of regular and non-standard reports as requested by court units, Administrative Office, U.S. Treasury, financial institutions, or other organizations or agencies. Adhere to appropriate internal controls for disbursement, transfer, recording, and reporting of monies. Review less complex vouchers for payments related to expenses incurred by the court for appropriateness of payment. Assist with oversight of financial operations to ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and procedures. Assist in training other financial clerks in the use of financial systems and tools. Maintain control over unit cash registers and collect and balance cash drawers daily. Count monies received and process receipts and deposits in appropriate bank accounts. Distribute cash register funds to intake clerks. Conduct quality reviews and provide training to intake clerks regarding practices and procedures for financial transactions. Process and pay bills and invoices incurred in court units. Perform reconciliation of monies deposited, transferred, and disbursed by the court unit. Process victim restitution payments. Process incoming checks. Compile necessary information, produce, and mail payments. Maintain ledger of restitution payments and ensure that victims receive payments. Process returned checks and returned mail. Provide customer service to victims and their representatives. Work with U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Probation to reconcile criminal debt accounts and receivable records. Receive, review, and process travel vouchers and travel advance requests from court units. Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes. Communicate with individuals in court units to respond to questions, problems, or insufficiencies with voucher submissions and the status of payment of vouchers. Prepare reports and forms by compiling information. Use accounting software and systems to record, store, and track information. Coordinate work efforts with other financial deputies in the financial unit. Comply with guidelines, procedures, and policies established by the Administrative Office and the court unit. See vacancy for duties at the CL26 level.

Qualifications

One year of specialized experience. Specialized experience is defined as: Progressively responsible experience in at least one but preferably two or more of the functional areas of financial management and administration such as budgeting, accounting, auditing, or financial reporting that provides knowledge of rules, regulations, and terminology of financial administration. Requires experience in financial administration and organizational internal controls. Knowledge and experience using automated financial systems to perform day-to-day activities is required. Requires a familiarity with internal controls related to cash handling. Proficiency with Excel spreadsheet software is required. Experience and skill in the use of automated equipment including spreadsheet, word processing, and database applications.