Accountant II

Job Title

Under the general supervision of the Finance Director, this position manages accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash receipts operations.

Detailed Work Activities

Essential Functions

1. Keys and verifies accounts payable entries with accuracy, posts expenses to the general ledger and prints reports.
2. Maintains general ledger & records accounting transactions for Town (journal entries).
3. Balances cash management assets and monthly financial statements.
4. Assists with the annual Operating Budget preparation to include review and analysis of proposed budget expenditures and monitoring budget revenues and expenditures.
5. Prepares and maintains budget spreadsheets, records and files.
6. Analyzes current expenditure and revenue for patterns or potential problems.
7. Identifies and recommends improvements in divisional and departmental operations to ensure support functions are efficient and cost effective.
8. Assists with forecasting future revenues and expenditures.
9. Researches, analyzes and prepares varied budgetary/financial projects and reports as requested by the Finance Director.
10. Works with auditors on annual audit, preparing reports as needed.
11. Assists with the compilation, completion and submittal of the annual CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report).
12. Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.
13. Assist Finance Director on maintaining fixed assets records.
14. Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Minimum of 2 years, preferably 3 years, of progressively responsible experience working in governmental accounting experience, preferable local government accounting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Municipal Finance & Accounting Operations

• Extensive knowledge of municipal accounting principles, practices, and procedures, including governmental fund accounting, general ledger maintenance, accruals, journal entries, and year-end closing.
• Proficient in budget development, monitoring, forecasting, expenditure controls, revenue analysis, and capital improvement program (CIP) tracking.
• Comprehensive understanding of grant accounting, including allowable cost determinations, reimbursement requests, reporting, subrecipient monitoring, and compliance requirements.
• Skilled in full-cycle month-end and year-end close processes, audit preparation, supporting schedule creation, and variance research using trial balances and subsidiary ledgers.
• Ability to accurately perform and reconcile core financial functions, including bank reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, LGERS retirement reporting, and balance sheet accounts.

Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Standards

• In-depth knowledge of North Carolina local government finance standards, specifically the NC Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act (NCGS Chapter 159).
• Thorough understanding of municipal purchasing, procurement policies, contract administration, expenditure tracking, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Working knowledge of internal controls, segregation of duties, documentation standards, and approval workflows across disbursement, cash management, purchasing, and payroll.

Systems, Analysis & Technical Proficiency

• Advanced proficiency in using spreadsheets, database tools, and financial management systems to enter, analyze, reconcile, and report financial activity; preference for Edmunds MCSJ or similar municipal accounting software.
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis, multi-year revenue projections, and budget-to-actual reviews to evaluate fiscal health and support management decision-making.

Leadership, Communication & Project Execution

• Ability to assist the Finance Director in developing, documenting, implementing, and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and municipal fiscal policies.
• Demonstrated capability to identify and co-lead process improvements and organizational change while maintaining daily operational continuity.
• Strong organizational skills to manage competing priorities, adhere to strict recurring deadlines, and handle complex financial projects independently with limited supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly to management, department heads, auditors, vendors, external agencies, and the public.
• Proven commitment to delivering courteous, professional, and responsive customer service to all internal and external stakeholders.