Accountant - Payroll and Accounting Generalist

Classification: Non-Exempt

Pay Grade: 08 Pay Range: $54,000 to $58,800

Benefits Summary: This is a full-time, benefitted position with health insurance, a public pension, 13 paid holidays annually, vacation, sick leave, and more.

Job Summary: Under general direction of the Director of Finance and Finance Manager – (General Ledger), the Accountant-Payroll and Accounting Generalist’s areas of responsibility will include full cycle payroll and general accounting activities with no supervisory duties. The Accountant-Payroll and Accounting Generalist exercises independent judgement while adhering to established policies and procedures, regulations, and best practices. The incumbent is expected to ensure work quality and accuracy and oversee the maintenance, collection and preparation of appropriate payroll and accounting records. ______________________________________________________________________________

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Payroll Administration

A. Responsible for full-cycle payroll process to include – • Timely activation of new employee data and changes to current employee data in payroll system (i.e. banking data, pay rate changes, employment status, etc.) • Timely submission of time and attendance records. • Timely submission of payroll data and funding request for payroll preparation. • Timely and accurate payment of all withholding taxes, employee retirement plan contributions, employee deductions (i.e. wage garnishments, dues, retirement, health insurance, etc.) • Coordinating with accounting department regarding appropriate journal entries. • Timely and accurate preparation of employees W-2’s and associated filings with Federal/State agencies. • Coordinate with the Administrative Services department to ensure correct employee data. • Assist employees with payroll related matters via telephone or email. • Interface with payroll service to resolve any system issues. • Assure compliance with applicable Federal/State rules and regulation related to payroll administration. • Generate payroll related management reports as requested and assist with any audit requests. • Assist with ad-hoc financial reporting and analysis as needed. Accounting Generalist

B. General Ledger – • Assist Finance Manager in maintaining the integrity of accounting information by recording, verifying, consolidating and reconciling bank and general ledger accounts in an accurate and timely manner. • Assist in the preparation of records asset, liability, revenue, and expense entries by compiling and analyzing account information. • Supports preparation of month-end and year-end financial statements through preparation of adjusting and closing journal entries, allocation worksheets, schedules, Fund balances, and resolving discrepancies

C. Billing and Payments – • Assist in processing customer payments to the City. • Prepare invoices for payment for City activities. • Process work orders. • Perform similar or related work as required. • Promotes a strong sense of teamwork. • Develop technical and behavioral skills to enhance individual professional development as well as overall expertise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Associate’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field; two years of directly related work experience will be regarded as equivalent Experience: Two (2) years of experience in payroll administration and/or accounting/finance role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Proven experience in successful payroll administration, accounting or finance role • Knowledge and experience with payroll software; Paycom preferred • Knowledge of applicable Federal/State rules and regulations related to payroll administration and accounting principles and practices • Familiarity with financial accounting statements • Experience with general ledger and billing and payments functions • Proficiency with MS Excel, Adobe, Outlook, Power Point skills • Accuracy and attention to detail • Applicable laws, codes and regulations • Utilize analytical and problem-solving skills on a daily basis • Strong written and oral communications and relational skills • Follow complex oral and written instructions, policies and procedures • Operate a variety of office equipment, including computer terminal, printer, calculator, and copier • Aptitude for numbers and quantitative skills • Ability to make decisions within established payroll and accounting policies and procedures • Deal with ambiguity and make appropriate decisions • Good customer service and interpersonal communication skills • Manage conflict with composure and, compassion and fairness; maintain professionalism at all times • Interpret and apply laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures • Analyze data and draw logical conclusions • Establish and maintain cooperative relationships • Provide comprehensive reports • Utilize technology effectively • Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing • Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of Freedom of Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations • Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in a typical climate-controlled indoor office setting and is mostly sedentary with periods of mobility and light physical activity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Level of responsibility subjects the incumbent to moderate stress due to interruptions. • This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or heating, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and requires walking on uneven terrain, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing stairs and ladders, and reaching with hands and arms • Ability to observe details at close range • Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities • Communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas, so others understand • Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels • Work has no exposure to environmental conditions. Work is conducted in an office setting (e.g. business office, light traffic) • Ability to perform light driving

LICENSE: Possession of or ability to obtain a valid “Class C” Maryland driver’s license. Driver’s License is to be in good standing and acceptable by the City of Cambridge’s insurance company.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: All City of Cambridge employees are subject to a one-year probationary period provision as specified in the employee handbook. Probationary, temporary, provisional, and seasonal employees serve at the pleasure of the City and are "At-Will."

OTHER: The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.