ACCOUNTANT

AccountantFLSA Status: ExemptEmployment Status: Full-TimePay Grade: M-10Department: Finance DepartmentSupervision:Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the Deputy Finance DirectorSupervision Given: This position has no direct supervisory responsibility.GENERAL SUMMARYThe Accountant will have knowledge of municipal government budget development and accounting practices. Reporting to the Deputy Finance Director, this individual will demonstrate skill in independent critical thinking and problem solving and will have the ability to comprehend current and historical financial trends and draw sound conclusions and recommendations.The Accountant's main duties cover miscellaneous receivables (MR) and administration of the City's purchasing card (P-Card) system. The Accountant also provides analytical support to the City's senior management, performing confidential policy development, financial research, and analysis, including operating and capital budget development and analyses, cost allocation, revenue forecasting, and management reporting. The Accountant prepares ad hoc reports from the City's central financial database, BS&A, and supports the Senior Accountant with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close duties and audit preparation.The Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, preparing financial reports, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, assisting with audits, and supporting the organization's overall financial operations.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSOversees, monitors, and updates the Miscellaneous Receivables sub-ledger.Administers the City's purchasing card (P-Card) system.Reviews accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll transaction uploads for accuracy.Assists in reconciling investment accounts and other balance sheet accounts.Monitors revenue recognition, deferred revenue, grants, and receivable balances.Assists in coordinating and recording the City's fixed assets.Performs monthly bank reconciliations.Analyzes, monitors, and maintains the accuracy of general ledger accounts and performs account reconciliations.Prepares and posts journal entries, including accruals, deferrals, and adjusting entries.Assists with budget preparation, forecasting, and variance analysis.Ensures compliance with GAAP, governmental accounting standards, and organizational policies.Assists the Senior Accountant in preparing and reviewing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and closing processes, and prepares portions of the annual financial statements.Assists the Senior Accountant in preparing for annual audits, including preparing schedules and supporting documentation for the external auditors.Analyzes financial data and provides recommendations to senior management.Researches and resolves accounting discrepancies and complex transactions.Performs analyses and runs reports in support of the departments and the entire City; serves as a technical resource to other City staff on a variety of budgeting, accounting, and analytical needs.Performs analyses related to the development of internal and external interagency agreements; develops revenue estimates; and coordinates or prepares interagency agreements involving complex financing and rate arrangements.Performs complex operating or capital budget analyses, such as project expenditure and revenue trends; reconciles data between different sources; analyzes proposed operational and legislative changes and trends; and projects fiscal impacts. Prepares analyses and narratives in support of program plans.Assists with the issuance of 1099 forms during tax season.Develops, improves, and assists in implementing new accounting procedures and internal controls.Trains and provides guidance to technical and administrative staff.Serves as backup for the Grant Accountant and Accounts Payable Specialist as needed.Supports special projects and management requests as assigned.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation and ExperienceA bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field and one (1) to three (3) years of progressively responsible experience; orAny combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the required level of knowledge and ability.A master's degree in Accounting and/or public sector experience is preferred.Licenses and CertificationsCertified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation is desired.A valid driver's license is required.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESAbility to gather, organize, track, analyze, and interpret data and to effectively communicate analysis in written and oral form.Strong project management skills and the ability to work independently on multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.Ability to develop materials and present information.Knowledge of laws, regulations, and standards pertaining to governmental accounting, GASB, and financial reporting procedures.Knowledge of economic indicators, forecasting techniques, research methods, and trends.Knowledge of generally accepted principles and practices of governmental financial accounting and budgeting.Knowledge of principles and practices of financial and statistical analysis, research techniques, and financial recordkeeping and reporting.Knowledge of City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods, computer equipment, and applicable software.Ability to analyze complex costing spreadsheets and prepare recommendations.Ability to prepare and analyze the City's budgetary and financial statements.Ability to analyze financial documents and information and draw appropriate conclusions.Ability to exercise initiative and sound, independent judgment within established guidelines and to prioritize workload.Ability to support and model the identified vision, values, and behaviors of the organization.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.Ability to operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialized software.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and stand; must regularly lift and/or move items up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move items up to 25 pounds; and must be able to clearly hear constituents when they speak in person or on the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The City of Pontiac is an equal opportunity employer.