Accountant

This is an entry-level professional position responsible for performing accounting work and projects involving application of financial practices and principles.  Responsible for a wide variety of accounting functions including analyzing financial transactions, preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, creating audit work papers, and preparing reports.  In addition, this position would assist with the development of budget spreadsheets, budget monitoring, and providing support for other projects. This role will oversee the procurement process and maintain contracts for City projects. 

• Under the direction of the Controller, assist in proofing, processing, and recording the City’s various financial functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipting, maintenance of fixed assets, and the issuance of purchase orders.
• Performs general ledger accounting by preparing and entering journal entries and maintaining schedules for balance sheet accounts. Identifies, investigates, and troubleshoots issues as needed.
• Receive, organize, enter invoices, and disperse payments by check or credit card (P-Card).
• Assist with Payroll processes and complete Committee Payroll reports monthly.
• Create and maintain vendors in operating software.
• Manage the municipal finance line and finance e-mail inboxes.
• Answer questions regarding invoices, payments and warrants.
• Prepare audit schedules. Works with staff from other departments to verify account balances and activity are coded correctly. Responds to auditor inquiries and requests.
• Assists with ordering office and stationary supplies for internal departments.
• Works with the city’s ambulance billing provider to process questions, payments, and manage delinquent ambulance collections.  Manage ambulance uncollectible accounts through the state debt collection (SDC).
• Prepares the bank reconciliation for the City’s bank accounts and employee benefits.
• Prepares and enters general ledger journal entries.  Maintains schedules for balance sheet accounts identifying, investigating and troubleshooting issues as needed.  Makes standard accounting decisions investigating items with other departments, vendors, and reviewing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as necessary.
• Assists with tax collection processes, preparation of manual tax bills, reporting of special assessments, special charges, and delinquent utilities to be placed on tax roll. 
• Assists with the preparation of budget spreadsheets, reports, and the recommended and approved budget documents.  Assists with budget monitoring and analysis of account activity.
• Work with department managers through the formal Request for Bid/Proposal process including posting on bidding networks and managing the evaluation process. 
• Manage contracts as necessary. Assist in resolving discrepancies with suppliers or contracts.
• Updates auto and property insurance as needed.
• Prepares and submits sales tax reports.
• Monitors, maintains, and closes purchase orders.
• Prepares and submits quarterly off-road fuel tax reports.
• Maintains utility reports and balances utility accounts receivable.
• Performs other financial tasks such as researching accounting and revenue/expenditure inquiries; assisting with preparation of financial reports; and performing work of the Business Services Specialist positions as necessary, i.e., front counter coverage, issuing dog licenses, etc.
• Reviews and approves all purchase card transactions for the City. Work with Senior Accountant/Controller to set up new users, increase credit limits, and answer cardholder questions regarding balance and transactions. Ensure all transactions adhere to the City purchasing and travel policies.

Other Job Functions:

• Report Preparation: monthly WRS report, quarterly and annual Unemployment and State 941 reports, quarterly Off-Road Fuel Tax report, bi-weekly warrant report for council.
• Assist with the insurance claim process for auto and liability claims.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

A Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or related field; with one to three years of experience, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, ability and skills:

Knowledge of:

• Requires knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for financial accounting including general ledger accounting and account reconciliation.

• Knowledge of auditing procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of payroll procedures and employer tax law.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite applications and comfort working with various software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and integrated financial software systems, and calendar and email systems.

Ability to:

• Ability to reconcile accounts with significant and varied activity.

• Ability to research and resolve financial questions.
• Ability to work autonomously, in team/collaborative environments, and cross-functionally with other departments/divisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with diverse populations at all levels of the organization, outside vendors/client representatives/peers and the public, and ability to relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.

Skill in:

• Requires skill in listening, critical thinking, problem analysis and problem solving; written/verbal communication skills; ability to tailor the message, context, and mode of communication to the audience; ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and self-identify organizational, departmental, and individual priorities.
• Must possess skill in monitoring one’s own work to ensure quality, accuracy, and thoroughness; sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority; ability to think strategically, commit to innovation and continuous process improvement, and work collaboratively within the organization.

Necessary Special Requirements
Experience with MUNIS Financial software preferred

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed mostly in an office setting; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Salary : $67,621