What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounting Specialist position at Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority?
Position Title: Accounting Specialist
Classification Title: Specialist II
Reports to: Director of Accounting
Department: Finance
FLSA & Union Status: Hourly; Non-Exempt; Union
Employment Status: Full-Time
Summary
The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of technical administrative accounting duties in support of the Authority’s financial records. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining tenant, landlord, and vendor files, preparing forms and reports, and performing clerical tasks relating to the Authority’s accounting functions.
All activities must support the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (“LMHA” or “Authority”) mission, strategic goals, and objectives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.
- Performs general accounts receivable and/or accounts payable functions for all Authority programs and funds.
- Maintains tenant payments related to the Authority’s housing properties, including but not limited to: receiving tenant payments and preparing receipts; posting and adjusting corresponding account records; and ensuring that accounts are properly credited.
- Posts charges for late payment of rent, sends out tenant utility bills, and closes out books monthly.
- Assists with the monitoring of resident payments; distributes communication to residents regarding payments, issuing notices to vacate as required.
- Ensures that invoices, vendor statements, and other documentation have been accurately submitted; prepares documents for internal processing and account recording; verifies documentation amounts and makes adjustments as needed.
- Reviews and processes invoices as received into accounting system.
- Communicates with departments heads regarding purchase order status.
- Maintains accounting system data and generates documents and reports as needed; provides Authority staff information on vendor, tenant, and landlord accounts; reconciles accounts monthly by monitoring the general ledger and recording corrections to vendor, tenant, and landlord accounts.
- Prepares bank deposits and delivers funds to Authority bank depository.
- Maintains accurate and organized vendor, tenant, and landlord records in accounting or archive software; obtains business forms as required.
- Prepares annual 1099 forms; prepares related forms and reports.
- Assists with preparing the closing of the Authority's general ledger, year-end financial statements, and physical inventory count.
- Maintains and reconciles staff travel expenses and credit card charges.
- Assists the receptionist by covering the front desk and collecting and distributing mail for the department as needed.
- Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA/PERRP safety standards that pertain to essential functions.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Behavioral Competencies
This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:
Job Knowledge: Exhibits requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position effectively. Demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the assigned organizational entity of the Authority; uses appropriate judgment & decision making in accordance with level of responsibility.
Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.
Safety Awareness: Employee is cognizant of his/her surroundings. Follows proper safety procedures and considers the safety of self and others. Identifies, communicates, and assists in the correction of any safety concerns where appropriate.
Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors, and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Reliability: Employee demonstrates sound reasoning and critical thinking by making decisions in line with established Authority expectations. Performs work in a reliable manner that is both accurate and timely. Ensures a positive record of attendance.
Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness. Holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work and does fair share of work.
Education and/or Experience
Associate’s Degree in finance, accounting, or related field, and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in administrative accounts receivable or accounts payable work. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Must possess a valid Ohio or Michigan driver’s license and be insurable under the Authority’s plan.
Technical Skills
To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong basic accounting skills, math skills, and computer skills (e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.
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.
To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to communicate via email and verbally via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Adopted: 12-16-1994 Revised: 05-15-2020
