Accounting Associate

Description

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is Iowa's largest public transit agency, providing fixed-route bus, paratransit, and on-demand transportation throughout Greater Des Moines. DART connects thousands of people every day to jobs, school, medical appointments, entertainment, and other essential destinations.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This foundational accounting role performs core accounting and cash-handling functions for DART, with primary responsibility for money room processing, deposit preparation, cash receipting, and routine accounts receivable and general journal entry support. This position works closely with department team members to ensure revenue and cash receipts are accurately counted, documented, deposited, recorded, and reconciled. The role supports a variety of revenue receipting workflows, maintains required records, identifies and escalates discrepancies, and helps protect effective internal controls.

PAY: $28.00-$30.00 per hour

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Money Room and Fare Collection Processing

• Count, sort, verify, and prepare farebox cash, coin, token and checks for deposit and armored car pickup using vault, cash-counting, and approved equipment

• Maintain chain-of-custody records, cash logs, count sheets, deposit documentation

• Coordinate scheduled pickup with armored car service and monitor money room supplies, equipment, and cash-counting issues for timely resolution

Daily Deposits, Cash Receipts, and Reconciliation

• Prepare daily deposits and process check scans for farebox, mail, and other cash receipts

• Reconcile cash counts, farebox activity, sales batches, pass sales activity, returned deposits, and bank confirmations; escalate variances for review

• Record and post ACH, credit card, and routine cash receipts within accounting and bank systems

• Track deposit activity and provide departmental deposit support; follow up on missing documentation and communicate discrepancies to the Staff Accountant or Accounting Manager

• Assist with returned deposit items, bank corrections, and deposit research by gathering documentation and preparing clear support for review

Revenue Accounting and Journal Entries

• Post approved batches from integrated systems and source reports

• Prepare invoices, credit memos, journal entries, and related accounting documentation in accordance with GAAP principles

• Coordinate with Customer Service, Operations, and Finance to research cash-to-farebox reporting differences and help resolve source data questions

• Maintain accurate electronic and paper records to support month-end close, audit requests, and financial reporting

Customer Service, Bank, and Internal Coordination

• Coordinate with Customer Service, Procurement, Finance, and external partners regarding deposits, invoicing, sales activity, and banking transactions


• Provide accurate information and support related to cash receipt processes, documentation, ACH/wire activity, and positive pay review

Documentation, Controls, and Compliance

• Follow established cash handling, security, internal control, segregation of duties, and deposit control procedures; promptly report discrepancies or control concerns

• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of financial data and accounting information

• Follow documented procedures and assist with process updates and audit support activities


• Support annual audit and internal control review by retrieving and organizing supporting documentation

• Perform other accounting and administrative support duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required

• One (1) year of cash handling, bookkeeping, accounts receivable, banking, accounting coursework, or internship experience preferred

• Experience using cash counters, vaults, point-of-sale reports, accounting systems, or spreadsheet-based reconciliations preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic accounting principles, cash handling procedures, reconciliations, internal controls, and financial recordkeeping practices.


• Knowledge of general office procedures, electronic recordkeeping systems, and Microsoft Office applications, including intermediate Excel skills.


• Ability to accurately process, balance, reconcile, and verify cash, deposits, transactions, and financial records while maintaining confidentiality and attention to detail.


• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and follow established procedures and internal controls.


• Ability to identify discrepancies, research issues, and escalate concerns appropriately.


• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with internal staff, banks, vendors, and external partners.


• Ability to operate computers, office software, calculators, cash-counting equipment, and related financial processing tools.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including filtering, pivot tables, and VLOOKUP functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

On a normal workday, this position requires prolonged sitting, standing, and computer use, including frequent handling of documents and data entry. The position also requires the ability to communicate effectively in person and by phone and the ability to read and interpret detailed information accurately.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a standard office and secured money room/cash-processing environment. The facility is climate-controlled, and the position is not exposed to significant environmental hazards. The role may include intermittent exposure to vault, cash-counting, and related money room equipment noise.

DISCLAIMER:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the position. While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, the DART Commission reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the position, or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, staff shortages, workload changes, rush jobs, or technological developments).

Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with federal and state equal employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, non-job-related disability, or any other protected group status.