What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Accountant position at City of Big Spring, TX?
Salary : $66,331.20 Annually
Location : Big Spring, TX
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : 2025-00095
Department : Finance
Division : Finance
Opening Date : 02 / 03 / 2025
Salary : Depending On Qualifications
This position is responsible for maintaining accounting records for all city financial transactions.
Essential duties and functions may include the following :
- Maintains current and accurate balances in the general ledger; analyzes accounts for the nature and accuracy of transactions and prepares journal entries; balances general ledger accounts monthly.
- Reconciles general ledger, bank deposits, pooled cash and allocates interest to each fund.
- Bills and sends statements to all customers with miscellaneous charges pertaining to landfill, sewer treatment plant, airpark building rentals, cemetery, and golf course; sends collection letters to delinquent customers; sends to collection agency the information needed for collection of delinquent accounts; and reconciles accounts receivable in each fund.
- Assists with budget preparation and completion of the final budget document.
- Assists in city's annual operating budget process; attends and participates in budget planning sessions with City Council; reviews and inputs budget figures; prepares proposed and final budget documents.
- Prepared quarterly investment reports and other miscellaneous documents.
- Calculates and pays sales tax on a monthly basis.
- Reconciles fixed assets and records depreciation monthly : tracks assets and updates inventories as to additions / transfers / deletions, updates depreciation expense and accumulated depreciation, oversees conduction of annual inventories, and issues bar codes for new assets.
- Prepares and mails quarterly 941 payroll report and municipal court reports.
- Prepares annual insurance re-rate package including vehicles, buildings, mobile equipment, crime and general liability; updates records throughout the year.
- Assists in procedures for annual closing of financial records and preparation of city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (ACFR); reviews pre-closed accounts and makes necessary journal entries to reconcile, to book receivables and payables, and to close for fiscal year end; serves as City liaison to independent auditor.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.
- Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship / internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
- Completion of a computer skills test PRIOR to submitting application. Applicants must submit the results of Skills Testing with Application for Employment. The Skills test can be taken at the Texas Workforce Commission located at Howard College, 1001 Birdwell Lane, Suite 106, Big Spring, Texas 79720 (next door to Howard Cottage day care).
- Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Texas.
- Credit checks will be conducted on all applicants under final consideration for this position.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director assign work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include governmental accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), audit standards for local governments, and city policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
COMPETENCIES
An employee's performance will be evaluated based on the following competencies : job knowledge, teamwork, customer service, flexibility, and work ethic.
COMPLEXITY
The work consists of varied accounting and bookkeeping duties. Frequent interruptions and changing priorities contribute to the complexity of the work.
SCOPE AND EFFECT
The purpose of this position is to maintain accurate records of city financial transactions. Successful performance helps ensure the accuracy of financial information provided to all city departments and outside organizations
Contacts are typically with co-workers, state and federal agency representatives, bank personnel, other city employees, auditors, and the general public.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Contacts are typically to give or exchange information and resolve problems.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed in an office setting.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
None.
There are a wide variety of benefits available to City of Big Spring employees. These benefits include health, dental, life and disability insurance, optional life insurance plans, flexible spending account for health expenses, an Employee Assistance Program, and a Tuition Reimbursement Program.
The City of Big Spring provides the following benefits to all regular, full-time employees :
Texas Municipal Retirement System
The City of Big Spring is a member of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Employee / employer supported retirement begins at the date of employment. An employee contributes seven percent of their monthly wages to TMRS. The City then matches the employee contribution two to 1 upon retirement. Employees are eligible to retire after 20 years of service. Retirement becomes vested after five years of participation in TMRS.
Deferred Compensation (Retirement)
The 457b Deferred Compensation plan is provided to City employees in lieu of Social Security. Employees pay 6.7% of their adjusted gross salary. This amount is matched by the City as follows :
5.51% Contributed to the deferred compensation retirement
2.19% Pays for the life and disability insurance package
7.70% Total matched funds
Health Insurance
The City of Big Spring pays the cost of employees insurance and supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Dependent health insurance coverage is available at the following rates :
Family Coverage $755.06 / Monthly $377.53 / Bi-Weekly
Spouse Coverage $557.72 / Monthly $278.86 / Bi-Weekly
Child Coverage $277.05 / Monthly $138.53 / Bi-Weekly
Payment for dependent health insurance coverage is deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Pharmacy cards are included in the health insurance package. If dependent insurance coverage is purchased, dependents will also receive the pharmacy card.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates :
Employee Only $22.08 / Monthly $11.04 / Bi-Weekly
Employee and Spouse $44.78 / Monthly $22.39 / Bi-Weekly
Employee and Children $49.64 / Monthly $24.82 / Bi-Weekly
Employee and Family $72.40 / Monthly $36.20 / Bi-Weekly
Payments for dental insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Employees enrolled in the dental plan will also be eligible for the discount Vision Access program and receive discounts on vision care services or supplies.
Vision Insurance
Vision insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates :
Employee Only $7.22 / Monthly $3.61 / Bi-Weekly
Employee and Spouse $14.43 / Monthly $7.21 / Bi-Weekly
Employee and Children $13.71 / Monthly $6.85 / Bi-Weekly
Employee and Family $18.40 / Monthly $9.20 / Bi-Weekly
Payments for vision insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks.
Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
The City of Big Spring's life insurance policy provides for a death benefit equal to four times the employee's annual salary. In addition to the standard life insurance, employees may purchase optional life insurance. The long term disability package ensures that in the event of a permanent disability , a maximum of 20% of the employee's monthly salary is paid up to a maximum or $3,000.00 per month.
Cafeteria Plan (AFLAC)
The City provides a program to allow employees to tax shelter day care and certain medical expenses. This insurance provides a tax savings increasing the employee's take home pay.
Workman's Compensation
The City of Big Spring meets the standard state requirements for Workman's Compensation. If an employee is injured on the job, he / she report the incident to the department supervisor immediately.
Longevity Pay for Years of Service
City employees are given longevity pay based on their length of service with the City of Big Spring. After one year of service, City employees receive longevity payments on their bi-weekly paycheck. After two years of service, employees are given the option to continue to receive a bi-weekly payment or they can elect to bank their longevity payments. Employees who bank their longevity payments will receive a lump sum payment once a year, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Years of service Annual Bi-Weekly
1 to 9 $72.00 $2.77
10 to 14 $96.00 $3.70
15 to 19 $120.00 $4.62
20 years $144.00 $5.54
Uniforms
The City provides uniforms for employees who are required to wear certain attire to work. Three to five uniforms are furnished to employees, along with other suitable foul weather and safety gear. Police and Fire Department personnel may have different benefits.
Stand By Pay
City employees in certain positions are eligible for stand-by pay. Stand-by pay is $75 for each week the employee is required to serve on stand-by time. Stand-by time means a period of time outside an employee's regularly scheduled work hours, during which the employee is required to remain available within a specified response time. Each employee on stand-by who is called in to work shall be compensated for the actual hours worked at the appropriate rate of pay.
Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
Paid vacation days are time off work that the City of Big Spring voluntarily provides its employees as a benefit. The number of paid vacation days is accrued by full-time, permanent employees based on years of service. Vacation time is accrued based on the following schedule :
Years of Service
1 to 2 5 days per year
3 to 4 10 days per year
5 to 9 15 days per year
10 to 14 17 days per year
15 to 19 18 days per year
20 to 24 19 days per year
20 20 days per year
The City of Big Spring also offers full-time permanent employees paid sick days as part of its comprehensive benefits package. Sick leave is accrued based on the following schedule :
Years of Service
1 to 2 5 days per year
3 to 4 10 days per year
5 to 9 12 days per year
10 15 days per year
Paid Holidays
The City of Big Spring recognizes the following public holidays for City employees. Please note that most City employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. As such, when a holiday falls on a non workdaySaturday or Sundaythe holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day and the day following
Christmas (two days given)
Recreation Privileges
City employees and their dependents receive free admission to Moss Lake. City employees must present their City identification card.
Wellness Program
In an effort to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, the City of Big Spring has implemented a Wellness Program for its employees. By joining the Wellness Program, employees receive access to the following benefits :
Tuition Reimbursement Program
The City of Big Spring offers its full-time permanent employees a college Tuition Reimbursement Program. This program is designed to support employees with their personal and professional development by increasing their knowledge and skill level. The City reimburses employees for college tuition and books based on grades.
Salary : $5 - $66,331
