Accountant

The City of La Crosse is seeking to hire a full-time Accountant to become an essential member of the Finance team. The purpose of this position is to assist with a variety of accounting assignments throughout the Finance department. This position will maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts; maintain community development block grant (CDBG) and HOME grant financial records; maintain the City’s daily bank recording responsibilities; and perform some accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions. The work is performed under the direction of the Accounting Manager. 

Starting wage for this exempt position ranges from $28.65 to $32.81 per hour depending on qualifications (75 hours bi-weekly). Schedule for this position can be flexible within the core hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Requirements: Associate degree in Accounting with 5 years progressive experience and proficiency in accounting software, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office. Effective public relations and communication skills. Working knowledge of computer software. 

Benefits: The City of La Crosse offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical benefit plans, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, income continuation insurance, voluntary dental and vision plans, paid holidays, vacations and sick leave. Benefit perks: traditional or high deductible (with HSA) medical plan options available, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with a 6.95% employer contribution, 10 paid holidays, ability to earn up to 12 sick days per year and vacation time available as of date of hire.

Selected candidate is subject to background check and post-offer/pre-employment drug screen. Applications accepted until April 20, 2025. To be considered, submit an employment application by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.

Purpose of Position
The purpose of this position is to assist with a variety of accounting assignments throughout the Finance department. This position will maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts; maintain community development block grant (CDBG) and HOME grant financial records; maintain the City’s daily bank recording responsibilities; and perform some accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions.  The work is performed under the direction of the Accounting Manager. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 
The following duties are normal for this position. The duties and responsibilities are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and/or assigned. 

• Review and enter payables for capital project payments and monitor for adequate funding sources as assigned by the City’s Budget Analyst. At project completion, as assigned by the Budget Analyst, close out project budget, make final project budget adjustments and close out purchase orders. 
• Review and record monthly CDBG invoices and receipts. Draw funding from HUD, and receipt income in the Federal program. Reconcile and match City accounts to Federal accounts to keep both in balance. Prepare related journal entries and balance adjustments. Approve payments and return of unused funds. Maintain funding for HOME projects and advise on fund availability and location of funds. 
• Review accounts payable and purchasing card batches from City departments for correct vendor name/number, account number, invoice number, amount, discounts, and authorizing signature. Balance banking information with the general ledger. Confirm banking transactions, upload banking files, and track inflows and outflows of banking activity daily. 
• Calculate, review, and process journal entries, payments, and reports for monthly sales tax and room tax programs. 
• Enter information for HUD annual and quarterly reporting. 
• Prepare amortization schedules for housing and City loan programs, maintain and update loan amounts as necessary. 
• Administer the City’s unclaimed property program.
• Assist with capitalization of fixed assets and maintenance of fixed asset records. 
• General ledger account reconciliations annually or as directed by the Accounting Manager.
• Record monthly fuel journal entries and file quarterly fuel tax returns. 
• Assist with Grant Fund reconciliations.
• Prepare General Journal Entries
• Order department supplies.
• Handle routine office duties on day-to-day basis and as assigned by the Accounting Manager. 
• May assist Treasurer’s office during heavy volume times, and any other areas of the department as necessary. 
• Regular and predictable attendance. 

Additional Duties & Responsibilities 
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the department, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other department staff. 

• Compose correspondence and create reports, graphs and charts as necessary. 
• Respond to City department inquires. 
• Prepares memos, letters, and other correspondence.
• Attends meetings as needed.

Minimum Training & Experience Requirements 

• Associate degree in Accounting with 5 years progressive experience and proficiency in accounting software, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office. 
• Effective public relations and communication skills. 
• Working knowledge of computer software.

Physical & Mental Requirements 
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication 

• Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards.  Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information.  Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data.
• Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information such as invoices, billing statements, tax statements, tax reports, spreadsheets, statistical reports, grant applications, general ledger, budgets, bond issues, state statutes, resolutions, ordinances, non-routine correspondence, computer languages and accounting methods.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with vendor representatives, various city employees and the general public.

Mathematical Ability

• Ability to apply algebraic and trigonometric formulas. 
• Ability to interpret inferential statistical reports and/or formulation and equation data. 

Judgement and Situational Reasoning Ability

• Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgement in performing diversified work activities. 
• Ability to exercise the judgement, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable criteria. 

Physical Ability

• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computer terminal, telephone, calculator/adding machine, computer printer and photocopier.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as data entry.
• Ability to exert very moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors and sounds associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks. Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.

Environmental Adaptability 

• Ability to work under safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as repetitive computer keyboard use poses a very limited risk of injury. 

The City of La Crosse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. 

Salary : $29 - $33