Accountant III

Overview This is advanced professional accounting work in the creation, analysis, and audit of financial records. Work involves the application of accounting principles to financial records, the establishment and maintenance of fiscal systems, and the installation of systems changes, as well as serving as liaison between the Finance Department and other City departments and external parties, providing assistance in financial matters, and ensuring that budgetary policies are observed. An employee in this classification exercises considerable independence in the performance of duties, supervises a number of professional and clerical subordinates, and receives general supervision from a superior. Work often requires a high level of judgment and discretion, is subject to limited review, and has a major impact on City policy. Individuals in this classification may serve as the assistant manager or in a leadership role in the accounting, budget, or revenue divisions. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Selects, hires, trains, schedules, assigns, supervises, and evaluates subordinates. Participates in operational cost studies of City departments to determine projected revenues available for capital improvements and to evaluate fees charged by the City. Performs year-end functions such as opening, closing, and adjusting entries to determine the City’s financial position. Prepares or reviews financial statistics, schedules, and statements to provide data used in City bond sales. Monitors and prepares or reviews financial statements for each fund in the budget, summarizing revenues, expenditures, and fund balances as required by the City Charter. Coordinates the composition, printing, and distribution of the annual budget book and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Serves on committees to ensure that statutes, ordinances, regulations, and general accounting standards are observed. Conducts continuous audits of accounts and financial records of City departments, reviews procedures and methods for compliance with City charter provisions, ordinances, and departmental and federal guidelines, and monitors expenditures to ensure that budgetary constraints are observed. Investigates discrepancies in accounting and other internal system deficiencies, makes recommendations for resolutions, and prepares statements and reports of audit findings. Compiles and calculates data in the preparation of departmental reports and prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting. Records various journal entries in assigned funds and departments, which may include chargebacks, payroll, benefits, accruals, deferrals, encumbrances, and other correcting entries. Manages city bond needs and directs issuances to ensure proper cash flow. Implements new General Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and consistently applies existing standards. Prepares Statement of Net Positions, Statement of Activities, Balance Sheets, and Statement of Revenues and Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances, GAAP to Budget basis, and entity-wide financial statements for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Compiles information and prepares financial footnotes for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Coordinates the annual independent audit, providing records and offering explanations of entries and calculations. Prepares financial reports and operating statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Presents information and recommendations as a subject matter expert to a variety of City departments, outside authorities, elected officials, and the community to better analyze and develop solutions for internal and external customers. Leads the development of the annual proposed executive budget for assigned City departments’ operating and capital budgets, including recommendations for service levels, expenditures, funded positions, performance measures, and funding strategies. Facilitates the annual budget preparation process, which includes developing timelines and templates, coordinating submissions from departments, and being responsible for preparation of intermediate materials for executive-level review. Assists the Finance Director in determining budgetary recommendations in relation to the City’s short and long-term goals. Improves the management of City services by ensuring City officials and departments understand the cost of services and relationships between expenditure levels and service levels and the opportunities to improve productivity and service quality. Creates city council ordinances and reviews department-submitted council items for compliance with financial policies, purchasing policies, and City charter provisions, and to ensure funding availability. Conducts research and analyses on issues that affect service capacity, quality, and productivity. Develops, updates, and implements new accounting systems and financial operations, and makes changes in accounting forms being used across city departments. Participates in the planning and implementation of financial and budget software. Researches tax implications and provides direction on 1099 reporting to ensure compliance with IRS regulations. Maintains regular job attendance in accordance with a schedule established for the position by the supervisor. Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates within the scope of this classification. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of accounting principles and techniques, and the ability to apply and adapt established accounting methods to varied and complex accounting problems. Knowledge of the theory and practices of governmental accounting, auditing, budgeting, purchasing, investments, financial analysis, and strategic and financial planning. Knowledge of the principles of sound office management. Knowledge of the principles of public administration, especially municipal finance administration. Knowledge of, and ability to operate, computers and other technology using standard or customized computer or systems software applications appropriate to the assigned tasks. Skill in analyzing complex accounting and other fiscal issues, recommend resolutions, and compile reports based on the analyses. Skill in developing and implementing accounting, budgeting, and recording methods, procedures, and techniques, as well as instructing prospective users. Skill in developing, presenting, and defending recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, Department Directors, and other executive-level staff. Skill in analyzing and evaluating complex accounting, budgeting, and procedural issues, developing corrective systems, and compiling reports of measures taken. Skill in reading and interpreting complex documents, including budgets and government documents. Ability to maintain honesty, integrity, and confidentiality, in adherence to the fundamental principles of ethical behavior for financial personnel. Ability to work effectively under pressure and tight time constraints and deliver high-quality work. Ability to set priorities for oneself and others when concurrently working on multiple projects. Ability to collaborate and exercise sound judgment in dealing with confidential and highly sensitive issues. Ability to learn and adapt to advances in computer and electronic device technology and software. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public. Ability to hire, train, assign, supervise, and evaluate a number of subordinates. Ability to understand written or oral instructions. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to adhere to safety policies, guidelines, and procedures. Ability to sit and type continuously, and to climb, reach, balance, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, push, pull, or lift occasionally. Ability to use up to ten (10) pounds of force to move objects occasionally. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in Accounting Five (5) years of experience in governmental accounting OR An equivalent combination of education and experience. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Must be able to transport oneself or coordinate transportation to work sites throughout the City during the course of the work day. WORKING CONDITIONS The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed in an office setting amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises. EQUIPMENT OPERATION Any one position may not use all of the tools and equipment listed nor do the listed examples comprise all of the tools and equipment that may be used in positions allocated to this classification. #J-18808-Ljbffr