Temp-Accountant

Temporary Accountant

Join the City of Fargo during a pivotal moment of transformation! The Temporary Accountant provides short-term accounting support to the Finance Department during the City's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation. This position is designed to maintain essential operational functions, including general ledger transactions, financial reporting and account reconciliation while permanent staff focus on ERP project activities, testing, and training. This role is a temporary on-site opportunity working 30-39 hours week with an anticipated end date of February 1, 2027. The number of weekly work hours will depend on operational needs. The core hours are Monday through Friday during our office hours of 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM with some flexibility. The duration of the role may be subject to change based on departmental needs and budgetary considerations. Under direction of finance management, performs accounting activities and duties including auditing, bank reconciliation, cash and investment reconciliation, account reconciliation, summary of transactions, journal entries and other special projects assigned by the Finance Manager, Assistant Director of Finance, or the Director of Finance. This job assists in preparing internal and external financial reports including annual reports, monthly financial statements, budget reports, and historical trend analysis and cost/benefit studies.

Primary Responsibilities

The Accountant is responsible for professional accounting duties under the general direction of the Finance Manager.

1. Prepares various financial statements and reports.
   1. Works as a member of a team to assist in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) by collecting required information, updating report models, implementing changes indicated to meet or maintain conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Uniform Guidance (UG), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB);
   2. Assists in maintaining and updating budgeting and extended reporting for software system; provide "ad hoc" financial reports as requested by department staff;
   3. Complies fiscal and/or statistical data and prepares various state, federal or departmental reports to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations; provides management with necessary information regarding department and/or city programs, activities and functions.
2. Under direction of the Finance Manager, prepares journal entries, account reconciliations, cash and investment reconciliations, bank reconciliations, subsidiary ledger reconciliations, and financial statements for various programs and projects; develop and post adjusting journal entries as necessary for error corrections, program accounting, payroll posting, and recurring month-end entries.
   1. Maintains a list of city fixed assets and construction in progress and verifies accuracy of lists with applicable departments and obtains documentation for deletions or additions.
3. Create and maintain audit work papers that support the ACFR and SEFA in formats acceptable to independent CPAs.
   1. Provide information required for annual audit;
   2. Identify and notify management of any discrepancies or inconsistencies in reporting systems and internal controls;
   3. Develops and recommends system/procedure improvements and/or modifications;
   4. Recommends changes when deficiencies are observed.
4. Assist in the preparation of annual budget
   1. May assist in the preparation of schedules and summaries presented in the Budget Book;
   2. Reviews requests keyed into budget software by departments for accuracy;
   3. Budget spreadsheet preparation for departments and attending annual budget meetings;
   4. Review of budget submissions.
5. Under direction of the Finance Manager, maintains financial records for various departments
   1. Performs account reconciliation;
   2. Maintains investment transaction records;
   3. Maintains membership information and contribution history;
   4. Prepares monthly financial statements;
   5. Maintains and produces data required for actuarial studies;
   6. Produces annual benefit statements.
6. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
   1. Frequently interacts with others in the work unit and across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
   2. Occasionally interacts with the public and vendors to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
7. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
   1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
   2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
   3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
8. Performs other duties and activities assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field and two years of relevant accounting experience; or
• Current junior or senior enrolled in an accredited bachelor's degree program in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or a recent graduate of such a program, with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and the ability to work a minimum of 32 hours per week.

Knowledge, skills and ability include:

• General knowledge of accounting principles
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail
• Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including the ability to use formulas, functions (ex. SUM, VLOOKUP, pivot tables), and spreadsheets to organize, analyze, and reconcile data with a high degree of accuracy
• Strong computer skills with experience using various software, including financial systems, Internet, Zoom, Teams, Adobe, and Microsoft Outlook
• Ability to learn new systems and technologies with ease
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Team Player

• Previous internship or work experience in public accounting, governmental accounting, or corporate accounting.

Physical Demands

Most work is performed in a normal office environment. Work requires significant computer use and keyboard time. Work requires use of telephone and other office equipment. There is high attention to detail, audit, financial statements, grant reporting and deadlines. Daily work may involve moving between buildings and rooms. Limited driving is required. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. Activities include stooping, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions. Light Work: Physical demands are normally those associated with light work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.