Accountant

Lead Accounting Position

Serves as a lead worker and performs complex accounting and fiscal functions. Responsible for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the City's accounting system; auditing, budgeting, reconciling, and analyzing financial transactions; and preparing spreadsheets, financial reports, journal entries, and other related accounting documentation.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

Carries out lead worker responsibilities including: training in job skills, assigning and directing work, assisting staff in resolving problems; making recommendations in performance appraisal, and reporting problems to supervisor.

Coordinates functions related to fiscal operations, including: preparing audit spreadsheets; reconciling and auditing various transactions; preparing and reconciling tax payments; and collecting delinquent property taxes.

Prepares the City budget, including: preparing worksheets for dissemination to departments; forecasting revenues; checking and verifying department budget entries; working with departments to correct/amend budget submission; providing and presenting financial information, data and history to aid in discussions; managing the preparation of special budgets; assembling the budget document; and participating in budget hearings.

Prepares various journal entries; investigates departmental questions concerning transactions and makes corrections; verifies accounting systems are in balance; and performs monthly closing functions.

Prepares complex, routine, and non-routine financial reports and analyses using various accounting and software applications; collects, reviews, summarizes, and verifies financial data; and prepares and distributes reports as required.

Answers questions pertaining to property tax payments, requirements, and/or laws; interprets laws that govern the fiscal aspects of the work.

Audits and analyzes the organization's internal control procedures and defines responsibilities for staff.

Ensures quality standards and compliance with regulations are maintained.

Maintains and enhances professional knowledge, skills, and competencies by attending seminars and training programs and reviewing professional publications and industry resources.

Disseminates a variety of information and/or reports to various agencies, divisions, or departments via telephone, mail, email, or fax.

May serve as backup for other positions within the department.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, and three (3) to four (4) years of progressively responsible accounting, financial management, or related experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, governmental accounting practices, financial reporting requirements, and municipal accounting procedures.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and requirements applicable to municipal financial operations.
• Knowledge of budget preparation, monitoring, and administration; accounts payable and receivable; general ledger functions; payroll; account reconciliations; financial reporting; internal controls; and auditing practices.
• Knowledge of City organization, operations, policies, procedures, and applicable governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of standard business mathematics, including percentages, decimals, and financial calculations.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and business writing.
• Skill in analyzing financial information, identifying discrepancies, and accurately reconciling accounts and financial records.
• Skill in preparing clear, accurate, and concise financial reports, schedules, correspondence, spreadsheets, and other written materials.
• Skill in researching, compiling, analyzing, and summarizing financial, statistical, and other related information.
• Skill in organizing work, establishing priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following through on assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to apply accounting principles, policies, procedures, and internal controls accurately and consistently.
• Ability to use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve accounting discrepancies, administrative issues, and routine financial problems.
• Ability to interpret and explain financial information, policies, procedures, and regulations to employees, department heads, vendors, auditors, City officials, and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, vendors, auditors, governmental agencies, and the public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling financial and sensitive information.
• Ability to operate computers, accounting software, spreadsheets, databases, and standard office equipment necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and perform duties accurately with minimal supervision.

Working Conditions and Physical Abilities

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is regularly required to sit and communicate by talking and hearing; frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and occasionally stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or move items weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment is generally quiet, with limited exposure to excessive noise.

NOTICE : The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Personnel Department to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

DISCLAIMER : Job profiles are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, skills, efforts, working conditions, or similar behaviors, attributes or requirements associated with a job. A job profile is not a comprehensive job description. It is intended for the sole purpose of acquainting a person who is unfamiliar with such position with a brief overview of the position's general direction and scope. This position profile is confidential, is intended for internal use only and may not be copied or reproduced by anyone for any purpose without written permission from the Human Resources Director or the City Manager.