Accountant II

The Philadelphia Housing Authority, America's fourth largest public housing authority and leader in real estate development and property management, is seeking an Accountant II in the Finance Department.

Under general supervision, the Accountant II performs a variety of professional accounting duties and financial analysis in the maintenance and management of financial and accounting records and reports, including PHA programs, enterprise funds, cash management, investment funds, and special accounts.

Salary: $61,708 - $73,500 annually

Essential Functions

• Processes and reconciles complex transactions and performs accounting duties according to PHA policies and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations; records transactions, reconciles differences, reviews and investigates financial and accounting records, and resolves accounting issues within scope of authority; job duties will vary according to work assignment.
• Monitors accounts, and analyzes accounting documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Federal, state, and PHA policies; reviews and approves journal entries.
• Reviews and approves transactions and accounting records; monitors and reviews documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with accounting standards and control practices.
• Reviews accounting records and ledgers, and corrects errors as required.
• Assures accounting information is complete and accurate; verifies accuracy of supporting documentation; researches and reports discrepancies and anomalies.
• Collects financial and administrative information and compiles data for reports; prepares and distributes operational and special reports; identifies and researches accounting issues.
• Researches and resolves payables/receivables and documentation issues; provides customer services and explains technical and financial information to external agencies and clients.
• Assists PHA departments with contract, funding, payment, accounting, and budget issues.
• Collects, compiles, and analyzes data and summary reports on Public Housing programs; reviews, approves, and generates financial and operational reports to PHA management, state and Federal funding agencies, private sector partners, and other regional agencies.
• Assists with annual and project budgets, and annual financial reports.
• Stays abreast of technical issues in public housing policies and accounting procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and PHA information; performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; AND four (4) or more years accounting experience, including government housing programs; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Required Knowledge of:

• State and Federal statutes, codes, and regulations governing public sector accounting functions.
• Generally Accepted Accounting and Auditing Principles for public sector financial administration.
• Principles of grant fund accounting, budgets, contracts, and records management.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Interpreting and applying state and Federal accounting rules and regulations, and PHA policies.
• Analyzing accounting system operations, and internal control methods and procedures.
• Reviewing and interpreting financial documents and verifying compliance with all regulatory requirements governing public sector financial activities.
• Reviewing and analyzing accounting records, transactions, and reports.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Certifications, Licenses Required

• A valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Driver's License may be required.
• Specialized training in HUD accounting regulations may be required for some incumbents.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is typically performed in a standard office environment, but will require limited travel to various sites throughout the City of Philadelphia.

How to Apply:

All applications will be accepted via PHA's Jobs Board at pha.phila.gov/jobs.

About the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)

Established in 1937, and with an employment workforce of over 1,100, the Philadelphia Housing Authority is a municipal agency providing public housing services to over 76,000 residents in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Financial support for Authority operations and capital needs comes primarily from rent payments and subsidies provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). PHA is one of a very select group of housing authorities across the nation that has attained Moving to Work (MTW) status. This designation allows housing agencies the opportunity and flexibility, on a local level, to develop and implement innovative housing and self-sufficiency strategies to benefit public housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) participants.

PHA is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of individual qualifications without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, pregnancy, national origin, ethnicity or ancestry, religion, age, disability, citizenship, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.