Accountant

JOB

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Under the supervision of the Finance Director, this Accountant position is responsible for key monthly and fiscal year accounting and reporting function, along with leading payroll, employee benefits, and accounts payable processes. The Accountant position will also have a leadership role with audit preparation. Within a small team environment, the Accountant position will also provide incidental backup utility billing, backup accounts receivable and other related tasks in support of the Finance Department in service to other City departments. Work is reviewed by the Finance Director on the basis of results attained, timeliness and through internal controls. This position is responsible for supporting the financial functions of the City, which requires interpretation of rules and regulations, proof of work generated, verification of accounts and transactions to insure a proper audit trail, and adherence to internal control procedures.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives administrative direction from the Finance Director and the City Manager. The work provides for a variety of independent decision-making, within internal control procedures and City financial policy guidelines. Exercises some supervision of supporting Finance Department staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only):
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Process bi-weekly payroll for fewer than 30 employees, including verifying payroll calculations, check processing, and managing employee benefits.
Prepare financial and regulatory required reports, filings and documentation.
Remit FICA, state and federal taxes, retirement and insurance premium funding.
Issue tax reports and W-2 statements.
Monitors and performs accounts payable processes in compliance with City, State and Federal regulations.
Process 1099's for vendors and submit required tax reports.
Assists with biennial budget preparation process.
Lead coordination for annual financial audit process, including involvement in annual financial statements process for both the City and Urban Renewal Agency.
Lead month-end and year-end financial close-out, reconciliation, and reporting process.
Review, approve, and provide backup to water billing and accounts receivable as needed.
Preforms administrative functions and reconciliation for P-card program.
Prepares and posts general ledger journal entries.
Leads evaluation of accounting processes and internal controls for Finance Department growth in a rapidly growing city.
Assist the Finance Director and City Manager with a variety of special projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:
Education and Experience
A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a related field, and three (3) years of related experience are required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed in the job description.

Bi-lingual candidates, especially those speaking Spanish or Hindi, are highly desired and encouraged to apply.

Licenses, Certifications & Other Requirements

Pass a comprehensive background investigation.
Notary Public within six months from date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of governmental fund accounting and auditing, including general ledger, debit, credit and journal entry procedures.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Accounts Payable procedures with working knowledge of public purchasing policies.
Payroll procedures and employee benefits familiarity.
Familiarity with utility billing procedures.
Familiarity with Accounts Receivable and development fee accounting.
Bank reconciliation, month-end and year-end procedures and reporting.
Principles and practices of internal auditing and record keeping.
Operation of manual and automated accounting systems.
Principles and practices of financial record keeping and reporting.
Advanced mathematical principles; modern office procedures and methods.
Common word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations.

Skills:
Performing a variety of professional and technical accounting functions.
Completing detailed accounting transactions.
Reconciling various financial statements with the general ledger and making adjustments as necessary.
Performing internal auditing of cash operations.
Maintaining accurate and current financial records.
Budget analysis and support.
Maintaining confidentiality.
Preparing accurate financial statements and reports.
Performing mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.
Ability to perform flexibly and effectively with self-motivation in a smaller city team environment.
Knowledge of computer operations including intermediate skills in Microsoft Office and other municipal accounting software.
Organizing and prioritizing a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
Conducting research, analyzing information and data, and presenting findings in a concise and rational format.
Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
In the performance of job duties, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; bend; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and infrequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to perform the work. These abilities are necessary to use a personal computer and various software programs, 10-key calculator, phone, copy and fax machines, and other related tools and equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
In the performance of the job duties, the employee will perform the majority of this job in an office environment under usual office working conditions. Work is also performed in numerous meeting settings in offices, conference rooms and public spaces. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments, with telephones, personal interruptions and background noises. Duties include contact with customers in conflict situations.

The City has a Remote Work Policy (RWP) and some remote work flexibility is allowed.

For more information, please visit City of North Plains Employment Opportunities. Please submit a completed job application (found at North Plains job application), resume and cover letter to hr@northplains.gov on or before COB Friday June 14, 2024.