Grant Staff Accountant

JOB SUMMARY

This is a professional exempt position in the Finance Department – General Accounting Division.  Work is performed with little direct supervision under the general direction of the Accounting Manager.  This position will maintain and reconcile the City's general ledger and accounts; prepare adjusting and closing entries for the general ledger; prepare analyses and reports; assist external auditors; assist other departments with reporting requirements.  This position will specialize in the administration of grants/grant process, and assist with the annual audit and financial statement preparation. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION

• Monitor the City’s restricted assets (from bonds, notes, grants, contributions); work with departments to ensure expenditures are within guidelines of the related restriction.
• Monitor the City’s debt service reserve requirements; propose money transfers needed to ensure the correct debt service reserve balances are maintained.
• Prepare debt payments and record debt entries and prepare year-end debt work papers.  
• Prepare and submit annual unclaimed property filing in accordance with Florida Statutes.
• Assists with developing and maintaining grant accounting controls, policies and procedures.
• Ability to review, comprehend and apply concepts contained in grant award documents to ensure compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 for grants awarded to organization.
• Establishes and ensures complete, accurate filing system for all grant documentation.
• Develops, amends, reviews and manages grant budgets. Performs analysis and reconciliation of all grant revenue and expenditures to the general ledger. Prepare necessary adjusting journal entries to ensure that grants are not overspent and are following reporting requirements. Analyzes financial data. Finds any potential inconsistencies and finds resolution in a timely manner.
• Ensures grant reports, draw requests and invoices are submitted timely to meet funding requirements.
• Work with grant administrators to ensure financial reporting is submitted accurately and timely.  Review all monthly, quarterly and close-out financial reports.
• Stays informed of all regulatory compliance and other related requirements.
• Prepare annual audit SEFA schedule as required.
• Meet with and advise project managers on the financial status of the grants.
• Record various accounting transactions; maintain and timely reconcile journals, general ledger and subsidiary ledgers.
• Maintain records pursuant to records retention policies and procedures adopted by City of Cocoa. (Currently State of Florida Records Retention Policy.)
• Maintain, analyze, and report on various project cost accounting records and spreadsheets.
• Possess ability to review, analyze and interpret data and to prepare adjusting journal entries and closing journal entries necessary to close books at month-end and fiscal year-end within deadlines.
• Assist in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), footnotes, statistical section and related reports; the Annual Financial Report; and other reporting requirements.
• The majority of position duties are required to be performed on-site.
• Performs professional accounting duties and demonstrates analytical and judgement skills necessary to advance to higher level accounting assignments.   Develops, reviews and prepares recommendations for implementation of accounting policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Mission Support employees may be required to work during a declared or undeclared emergency. 
• Performs other related tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of grant management, compliance and reporting responsibilities as well as strong knowledge of governmental/fund accounting and auditing principles and practices.
• Ability to work confidentially with discretion.
• Strong Knowledge of computer operations, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc.) and the City of Cocoa database applications. Ability to learn new software as necessary for position.
• Demonstrates proficient and accurate data entry.
• Knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment and techniques. 
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as grant application requirements, funding proposals, and City procedure manuals.
• Ability to learn, understand and utilize various grant-reporting websites as necessary.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts and work with and understand and apply appropriate accounting rules.  
• Ability to solve basic problems and to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or scheduled formats. 
• Ability to analyze technical and statistical information and prepare grant related reports, accounting entries and correspondence as well as read, interpret and apply appropriate federal, state and local government laws and regulations regarding grant contract compliance and administration.  
• Ability to facilitate relationships of trust with city grant sources while making the management process within the organization operate within guidelines resulting in an orderly and effective process.
• Ability to comprehend and understand local, state, and federal grant programs.
• Ability to manage assigned responsibilities with competing demands, changing priorities and required timelines and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to apply strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Possess ability to complete complex work with minimal instructions. 
• Ability to work in a team environment and establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with city officials and employees, the general public and representatives of other agencies toward the accomplishment of assigned projects. 
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in a variety of situations, prepare clear and comprehensive written reports, and perform basic and complex mathematical and statistical calculations.
• Excellent verbal, written and listening skills with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, technically, effectively, and with courtesy with others using appropriate words, tone and correct grammar. Ability to compose effective and accurate correspondence.
• Possess ability to maintain detailed records and reference files as well as assembling and organizing data.
• Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where little or no standardization exists, interpret a variety of information and instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting with a minimum of four (4) years’ experience in accounting field, preferably in governmental fund accounting; or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience.

Special Qualifications:

For positions requiring the operation of City vehicles, must possess a valid current Florida driver's license, or be able to acquire one within 45 days of hire.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally sedentary and may require exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: 

• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Dexterity: Primarily with fingers, as in picking, pinching, or typing. 
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing: Ability to hear and understand at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions.
• Reaching: Ability to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. 
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers. 
• Sitting: Frequently sits for long periods of time.
• Speaking / Talking: Ability to communicate clearly, accurately and concisely through speech.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading, and operating motor vehicles. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the ability to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. 

Salary : $57,970 - $92,622