Accountant (Finance Department)

Purpose

Performs professional accounting work verifying, analyzing and maintaining the City’s accounting, auditing and financial reporting systems.

Essential Functions

• Maintains or assists in maintaining the complete set of accounts including subsidiary, general ledger, budgetary, and control accounts;
• Performs and assists in monthly and year-end entries/adjustments/closings (AJ’s, BA’s, EN’s);
• Prepares monthly reconciliations, including banks, grants, debt, and payables;
• Prepares reports relating to account status;
• Records budget ordinances passed by the Board and records budget transfers generated by the Budget Director;
• Sets up and monitors capital projects;
• Coordinates project spending and status with project managers;
• Generates monthly status reports on projects, and closes projects upon instructions from project managers;
• Records additions/disposals, updates and balances Fixed Asset System (FAS), Fleet System, and General Ledger;
• Responds to requests for financial information;
• Generates and meets deadlines for Federal/State reporting – W2’s 1099’s, unclaimed property, benchmark analysis;
• Prepares and transmits grant reports as needed;
• Prepares and transmits sales tax returns;
• Electronically transmits payroll tax and benefit payments;
• Maintains debt service schedules and initiates payments so that City obligations are met in a timely manner;
• Audits expense reports against City policy, clearing travel advances;
• Prepares quarterly financial statements;
• Assists in the preparation of annual CAFR;
• Maintains schedules and reports of bond expenditures;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices;
• Knowledge of governmental fund accounting practices and procedures and related federal, state and local laws and regulations;
• Knowledge of grant accounting practices and procedures and related federal and state regulates;
• Knowledge of office procedures and equipment including computers and financial application software;
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations regulating municipal finances;
• Knowledge of City of Kingsport policies, procedures and regulations regarding accounting functions;
• Skill in reviewing/analyzing a variety of financial records/reports necessary to document the receipt, allocation and distribution of funds in a municipal government setting;
• Skill in operating and developing computer databases and spreadsheet files;
• Skill in analyzing financial systems , procedures and controls; and recommending improvements;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City staff, businesses, and the general public;
• Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing;
• Skill in setting priorities to meet established as well as changing deadlines.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or closely related field and one year work experience in the accounting field. Candidates who are recent graduates or will graduate with their Bachelor’s Degree within one year of hiring will also be considered.