Accountant

Monterey One Water is looking for a professional and knowledgeable individual to join the finance department.  The ideal candidate will be a team player, proactive, and have strong communication skills.  


Definition:
Under general supervision, performs responsible professional accounting, payroll, administrative and technical support relative to the planning, organization and coordination of assigned activities in the Finance Department. This position is responsible for performing general accounting tasks, preparing financial and statistical reports, developing and evaluating workflow processes for the financial system, performing payroll functions, including processing and reconciling payroll, benefit and financial records, providing responsible technical assistance to the Director of Finance and Controller/Assistant Director of Finance, and performing other job-related duties as required. 

Supervision Received and Exercised 
Receives direct or general supervision from the Controller/Assistant Director of Finance.  No direct supervision of staff is exercised.  May exercise technical and functional direction over staff and in the absence of the manager.

Class Characteristics
This is a professional level accounting position with knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and the foundation or experience to perform the full range of payroll and accounting responsibilities. The incumbent is expected to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining confidentiality regarding payroll and personnel matters. The position requires strong attention to detail, excellent time and priority management skills, the ability to work under deadlines, and a thorough understanding of general accounting, payroll processes, reconciliations, and financial reporting requirements.

This class is distinguished from the Accounting Assistant I/II by having substantial knowledge in general accounting and payroll processes, regulations, and reporting requirements; understanding and ability to process and report transactions in accordance with Federal and State laws, Agency policies, procedures, and memoranda of understanding, performs more complex technical work, and the performance of the full range of duties as assigned.  This class is distinguished from the Controller/Assistant Director of Finance in that the latter has overall supervisory responsibility for all financial and payroll functions; and assists the Director of Finance with the most complex special studies.   

Knowledge of: 

• Terminology, rules and methods of governmental accounting and financing, including program budgeting and auditing, and their applicability to the Agency’s operations. 
• Principles and practices of governmental accounting and financing and their applicability to the Agency’s operations. 
• Principles, methods and practices of accounting and financial recordkeeping, including GASB and GAAP.
• Payroll processing, including applicable Federal, State and local laws.
• Employee benefits as they relate to payroll deductions and reporting.
• Applicable Agency and Department regulations, codes, policies, and procedures.? 
• Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.
• Computerized accounting and finance systems and computer software and systems related to finance processes; other computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Business arithmetic and statistical techniques. 
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for effectively providing a high level of customer service to public and Agency staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Analyze situations accurately and develop effective course of action. 
• Analyze financial data and draw sound conclusions. 
• Accurately process and reconcile payroll transactions in a timely manner.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding payroll and personnel records.
• Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls and other requests for service.
• Work on multiple projects with competing priorities effectively and in a timely manner; organize and prioritize timelines for self and others in an effective and timely manner. 
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies or methods.
• Analyze situations accurately and develop effective course of action. 
• Understand and carry out a variety of complex instructions in a responsible and independent manner.
• Prepare clear, complete and concise financial statements and reports. 
• Establish and maintain a variety of files and records. 
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Maintain attention to detail and accuracy.
• Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
• Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software application programs.
• Effectively communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Provide good customer service to both internal and external customers.

Education and Experience:  

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance or a closely related field and two (2) years of responsible professional accounting experience.  

Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of valid California Motor Vehicle Driver’s license and be insurable with the Agency’s insurance at the standard rate and continue to meet the established driving standards as a condition of employment for this position.Physical Demands 

• Standing & Walking – Primarily sedentary classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. 
• Lifting - Ability to safely lift up to 10 pounds overhead and 20 pounds to waist level; both these requirements include bending at knees to facilitate proper lifting techniques: 1 minute up to 5 minutes per day.
• Manual Dexterity - Ability to perform multiple work activities requiring a significant level of physical and mental coordination, such as operating a computer keyboard; copying, and adding machines; writing: 1 hour up to 8 hours per day.
• Visual – Ability to read printed materials and view a computer screen for long periods: 30 minutes up to 8 hours per day.
• Hearing and Speech - Ability to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. 
• Mobility – Ability to work in a standard office setting and operate a motor vehicle to visit various meeting sites, reach, carry, push, pull, stoop, and bend.

Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. 

Working Conditions 
May be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

M1W Values

• Accountability - I take ownership of my job as demonstrated through my words, actions, and attitude.
• Integrity – I am guided by strong ethics and consistently do the right thing.
• Respect – My actions demonstrate that I care about the well-being of others, the organization, and the environment.
• Transparency – My communication and actions are honest, complete, timely and open to public review.
• Collaboration – I value and seek diverse input to optimize opportunities and solutions.

Salary : $108,160 - $138,008