Financial Associate I – Clerk of Courts
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position provides intermediate accounting and financial functions based on state statutes, court orders, and reporting mandates of the Clerk of Court office. This position also provides skilled legal support to the circuit court system by servicing the courts, attorneys and general public while maintaining confidentiality. Responsibilities also include assessing a party’s financial ability to pay their fines, court costs, forfeitures, restitution, etc., updating statistical and financial reports, drafting and processing legal documents, updating official records and performing other related work as apparent or assigned.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Supports management of the financial accounting and receipting systems used by the Clerk of Court office; recommends and implements changes when necessary.
– Applies uniform accounting systems to bookkeeping and record-keeping as it applies to financial and court records.
– Processes attorney fee payment plan orders from court officials. Analyzes attorney bills for accuracy and enters assessed amounts in database and sends amended orders to clients. Monitors delinquent accounts with and without approval from judges and/or supervisors. Issues warrants for non-payment of attorney fees.
– Interviews defendants to determine ability to pay by analyzing financial statements and sets payment plan terms including extending or adjusting payment schedules; works within guidelines and makes manual adjustments and determinations to approve or deny on a case-by-case basis.
– Drafts and prepares legal documents, including orders for payment, warrants, bail bonds, driver’s license suspensions, civil judgments, orders for wage assignment, and notice of certification of debt to the Department of Revenue for tax intercept and the State Debt Collection program.
– Receipts fines, fees, and forfeitures etc. using court-approved financial software. Processes payments, performs compliance duties when clients satisfy their financial obligations including quashing warrants, reinstating driving privileges and satisfying judgments. Updates financial activities in the court record and performs non-compliance sanctions including suspending driving privileges, entering civil judgments, issuing warrants and generating notice of intent of interception of tax refunds.
– Creates, maintains and analyzes spreadsheets for statistical reporting, maintains statistics on payment plans and other court collection methods.
– Issues warrants for arrest based on failure to pay court ordered fines, fees, costs and forfeitures, monitors and recalls warrants, and compares monthly warrant list to paid accounts to prevent warrant execution errors.
– Writes procedures and develops forms for payment plan and other financial processes.
– Conducts searches to locate litigant addresses and employment information.
– Cross-train to provide back-up to the Financial Associate II, front counter and other divisions as necessary or needed.
– Balances multiple cash drawers, which includes multiple tender types and prepares daily deposit for the treasurer as needed to back up supervisors and Financial Associate II.
– Performs high level customer service duties by assisting the public, including judges, attorneys, law enforcement, other departments and agencies at front counter, by telephone and public access window with requests for documents, filing of new cases, filing of pleadings/documents on existing cases, receipting payments and general information.
– Contacts employers to verify defendant’s employment and issues income/wage assignments with employers and prisons as needed.
– Assist with daily case management of court files, including creating and maintaining computer records, and complying with statutes under the supervision of the Clerk of Court.
– Docket and review incoming documents, route them to appropriate parties and/or process according to department and statutory requirements.
– Process incoming and outgoing mail and faxes. Certify and notarize documents.
– Adhere to confidentiality guidelines and manage both paper and electronic case files and court pleadings in accordance with retention policies.
– Participate in on-going training regarding changes in laws, policies, and procedures.
– Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
– Associate degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field preferred.
– Minimum of two (2) years of experience in accounting, finance or related field.
– Previous customer service experience required.
– Legal or law office experience preferred.
– Must successfully pass criminal background check.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENT
– Must be bondable.
Deadline Note: