What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant I position at City of Portland, OR?
The Position
The City of Portland is excited to announce openings for an Accountant I.
About the position:
The Accountant I is responsible for performing professional accounting-related functions involving basic interpretation and analysis utilizing spreadsheets and databases. Establishing effective working relationships in supporting management and various levels of staff in pre-defined guidelines and procedures.
As an Accountant I, you will:
- Reviews, reconciles, and researches financial transactions.
- Reconcile and make adjusting entries and end-of-period adjustments for specific accounts.
- Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, rules and administrative procedures.
- Prepare reports, spreadsheets, summaries, graphs and charts.
- Design, create and maintain databases and spreadsheets.
- Carry out duties related to grants, reimbursement requests, record draw downs, process payments to contractors/vendors, track multiple funding sources, collect data to create performance reports.
- Collaborative: An authentic professional who has interpersonal skills, values partnerships, and develops and supports relationships to get things done.
- Curious: A curious professional who is always seeking to learn new things and grow as a person and as a professional.
- Results Driven: A person who is able to work effectively and efficiently in a high-paced, dynamic environment.
- Strong Communicator: A person who builds trust and strong relationships through frequent, transparent, and clear communications.
- Solutions Oriented: A person who possesses and uses strong communication skills to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to create, implement, document solutions, and problem solve.
- Someone who Values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Someone who embraces anti-racist approaches through intentional partnership, self-awareness, and action, showing cultural humility, advocacy, and mindfulness. Someone who understands the importance of using DEI concepts to guide and inform your work.
- Emotionally Intelligent: A person who is motivated, passionate, team-oriented, and empathetic, and works to create the same characteristics in their Team.
This classification is represented by the District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU). To view this labor agreement, please go to https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements and click on the appropriate link. Applicants not currently employed by the City of Portland start at the entry salary rate. If you are a DCTU represented employee, see labor agreement for additional information or talk to your union representative.
The resulting eligible list from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Accountant I vacancies at the City. One vacancy exists in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer - Community Safety Division. Although there are no other current vacancies, the following bureaus employ Accountant I's: Portland Housing Bureau, Portland Parks & Recreation, and Portland Fire & Rescue.
The resulting eligible list from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Accountant I vacancies at the City. One vacancy exists in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer - Community Safety Division. Although there are no other current vacancies, the following bureaus employ Accountant I's: Portland Housing Bureau, Portland Parks & Recreation, and Portland Fire & Rescue.
Office of Management and Finance – Chief Administrative Office (OMF-CAO) – Community Safety Division
This opening is for a Payroll Accountant on the Police Employee Services Team.
Work Location: This position is approved for full-time remote work after completing training. Special Requirements: This position will require a level 3 police background check, conducted by Police Personnel Services Division.
As a Police Accountant I, you will:
- Perform complex payroll interpretation and time entry into SAP.
- Prepare, reconcile entries into SAP and make adjustments as needed.
- Prepare reports, spreadsheets and summaries for employees as needed.
- Maintain Police Bureau internal Roster System called UDAR.
- Assist in payroll administrative duties including grants reimbursements, and correcting journal entries ensuring completeness and accuracy of financial information, transactions and pay.
- Establish effective working relationships.
- Answer inquiries and educate and problem-solve with various levels of management and employees to reach sound conclusions and recommendations.
City of Portland Core Values:
Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility
These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.
Why work at the City of Portland?
The City of Portland workforce serves a population of over 650,000. We are culture- and solutions-driven, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our expertise. We are committed to removing systemic barriers to resources, access, and opportunity. The City is a believer in ALL people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, healthcare flexible and/or dependent care spending accounts, Carrot Fertility, basic life, short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.
The City of Portland also participates in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). For more information on the City of Portland's benefits please click here.
The City of Portland also participates in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). For more information on the City of Portland's benefits please click here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, all City employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This is required for all positions at the City of Portland. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required by date of hire. You may request an exception, for health or religious reasons, from getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the time a position is offered.
Work Location
Many positions within the City are designated as hybrid and currently the City requires you to work in-person one day per week. Beginning in May 2023, most hybrid employees will be expected to perform at least half of their work in-person. City Council approved a human resources administrative rule in January 2023, HRAR – 4.045, requiring employees, including those who are fully remote and hybrid, to perform work within Oregon or Washington. Employees have until May 4, 2023, to be in compliance with the new rule. For more information, click here.
To Qualify
Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume how their education, training, work experience and/or lived experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:
- Experience utilizing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Knowledge of governmental accounting practices.
- Experience preparing and analyzing financial information.
- Knowledge of laws, regulations applicable to loan, budget, and grant requirements.
- Experience using an integrated financial system (such as SAP or a similar system) and preparing financial documents with programs such as accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience effectively communicating, orally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders.
- Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per City/State mandate or have an approved exception by date of hire.
- The ability to successfully pass an in-depth background investigation.
The Recruitment Process
An evaluation of each applicant's training and experience, as demonstrated in your resume and responses to the supplemental questions weighted 100%. Do not attach materials not requested. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. You have 14 days from the notice of the examination results to let us know if you disagree with your results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information. Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
Recruitment Activity Schedule:
- Job Posting Closes: 4/17/23
- Applications Reviewed: week of 4/17/23
- Eligible List / Notices Generated: week of 4/24/23
- Selection Phase Begins: early May
- Job Offer: Late May 2023
Application Instructions
Applicants must submit responses to the supplemental questions and a professional résumé online, specifically focused on your qualifications for this position as identified in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement in accordance with the following Application Instructions:
- Your responses to the supplemental questions and résumé will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
- Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
- Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
- Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis: Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
- If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, as identified below, please describe in your responses to the supplemental questions and resume any transferrable skills obtained during your military service and how they relate to each of the required minimum qualifications under the "To Qualify" section above.
All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Additional Information
Work Status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
Veterans' Preference: If you are requesting Veterans' Preference, attach a copy of your DD214/DD215 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans' Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment to which you apply. Veterans' Preference documentation must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.
ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability, are pregnant or nursing, or observe a religious practice(s), and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below for assistance.
Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.
Language Pay Differential: City of Portland employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive a “language pay differential.” This is compensation for qualifying multilingual City employees who use their language skill to assist the community. More about the language pay differential can be found here.
Did you know? The City of Portland has How to Apply Videos and offers How to Apply Classes. If you have questions after watching the videos you are invited to contact the recruiter listed on the announcement or starting in April 2023 you are invited to attend the Question and Answers session. If you prefer to attend a virtual class, they are also available once a month.
Contact InformationVeterans' Preference: If you are requesting Veterans' Preference, attach a copy of your DD214/DD215 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans' Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment to which you apply. Veterans' Preference documentation must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.
ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability, are pregnant or nursing, or observe a religious practice(s), and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below for assistance.
Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.
Language Pay Differential: City of Portland employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive a “language pay differential.” This is compensation for qualifying multilingual City employees who use their language skill to assist the community. More about the language pay differential can be found here.
Did you know? The City of Portland has How to Apply Videos and offers How to Apply Classes. If you have questions after watching the videos you are invited to contact the recruiter listed on the announcement or starting in April 2023 you are invited to attend the Question and Answers session. If you prefer to attend a virtual class, they are also available once a month.
Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov
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