Accountant

Accounting Position

Under general supervision, performs professional accounting duties requiring comprehensive knowledge of the municipal financial functions, government accounting, enterprise fund accounting, and automated accounting systems within the Finance Department. Responsibilities include; maintaining fiscal controls and programs; preparing financial reports and statements; and performing a variety of tasks relative to an assigned area of responsibility.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Performs professional accounting duties within the Finance Department; prepares and maintain controls on financial transactions and accounts; prepares trial balances, journal entries, general ledger reconciliations and related financial documents.
2. Performs warrant review activities; ensures proper accounting for purchase requisitions, invoices, claims, fixed assets and sales tax accruals.
3. Serves as a liaison with accounting and fiscal personnel from other departments by responding to questions and issues; monitors department's budgets and expenditures.
4. Participates in the development of the City's annual comprehensive budget; ensures that the development of the City's annual budget adheres to established accounting procedures.
5. Reconciles a variety of financial ledgers and records; participate in the compilation and preparation of financial statements, general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules; researches and resolves discrepancies.
6. Prepares a variety of financial statistical reports related to various City accounts, fixed assets and spending practices; conducts month and year end closing duties.
7. Maintains a variety of City accounts including subsidiary accounts, investment accounts and grant accounts; prepare cash transfers and loans between funds and accounts; ensures all activities are in compliance with accounting principles and standards.
8. Performs duties in monitoring the City budget; ensures proper authorization on journaled transactions; tracks expenditures and resolves discrepancies; provides assistance to City departments in budget preparation.
9. Participate in the inventory of the City's fuel, water and garage divisions and operations.
10. Oversee the submission of financial and accounting reports required by outside agencies; answer related questions as needed.

Experience and training guidelines: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Experience: Three years of professional level accounting experience.
• Training: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course-work in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field.
• Knowledge of: Operations, services and activities of a municipal accounting program.
• Principles, practices and terminology of general, fund, project, grant, insurance and government accounting.
• Principles and procedures of financial program filing and record keeping.
• Principles and practices of financial research and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of fixed asset management and administration.
• Advanced mathematical principles.
• Principles and practices of public finance and financial reporting.
• Recent developments, current literature and information related to municipal accounting and public finance.
• Modern office equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and ordinances.

• Ability to: Perform professional level accounting duties.
• Coordinate municipal accounting and public finance programs.
• Analyze, post, balance and reconcile financial data ledgers and accounts.
• Maintain a variety of financial ledgers.
• Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
• Ensure proper authorization and documentation for journal transactions.
• Review and interpret financial reports and transactions.
• Prepare a variety of financial reports.
• Maintain a detailed budget for assigned divisions and programs.
• Interpret and explain City policies and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.