Accountant I

The purpose of the Accountant I classification is to conduct the daily activities of the finance department with a focus on the reconciliation of General ledger accounts to lead to the preparation of the City’s financial statements and may acts in a supportive role for bi-weekly payroll processing to include completing direct deposit procedures and ensuring timely payroll tax payments.

The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Reconciles various general ledger accounts, including posting tax, business license, and permit fee collections recording by the Revenue and Building Inspection departments; assists and communicates with these departments on a daily basis
• Assists in interpreting, applying, and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Performs reconciliation of revenue accounts, payroll withholding accounts, and other general ledger accounts, and verifies that all receipts numbers are accounted for.
• Performs monthly reconciliation of bank accounts
• Reviews for accuracy and records monthly EFT deposits in the City Money Market account.
• Posts, reviews and verifies financial transactions relating to accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and purchasing
• Prepares and reviews journal entries, general ledger reports and trial balances; identifies discrepancies or problems and makes necessary adjustments and corrections; reconciles and balances reports.
• Communicates with auditors, prepares documents and gathers data for the City’s annual financial audit.
• Generates financial reports, accounting reports, schedules, and spreadsheets
• Processes bi-weekly payroll after employee’s time has been reviewed and approved by the Human Resources department; balances and uploads employee direct deposit file online to the City's bank account to ensure proper payment to employees; works with Human Resource department to perform corrections and accurate posting of wages and taxes.
• Reconciles bi-weekly payroll and remits Federal, FICA, and state taxes each pay period.
• Prepares quarterly 941's and monthly state payroll tax returns; prepares employees W-2's; prepares documents for annual worker's compensation audit.
• Prepares required monthly reporting and reconciliation of SAIL Site Title III Funding; prepares annual application and annual audit documents.
• Prepares journal entries and records all Internal Repair Orders for City maintained equipment.
• Communicates with the City's insurance company in dealing with accidents and communicate with citizens, other insurance companies, adjusters, repair facilities and City departments.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; reads professional literature; attends workshops and training sessions as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of simple arithmetic.
• Knowledge of computer data entry systems and word processing applications.
• Skills in operating, maneuvering and/or controlling the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data.  Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.        
• Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations involving basic algebraic principles and formulas, and basic geometric principles and calculations.
• Ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, or closely related field; supplemented by one (1) years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Licenses or Certifications: Valid State of Alabama driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force. Work requires the ability to exert light physical effort which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals.  Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in an office environment. Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Salary : $44,762 - $58,552