What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant position at Port of San Diego?
The Port of San Diego is currently going through a class and compensation study. The job title and job duties are subject to change.
The Port is seeking a detail-oriented Accountant to join our team. This role is responsible for managing financial records and reports for various accounts and funds. This role involves reviewing and reconciling general ledger accounts, maintaining fixed asset records, assisting with month-end and year-end closing processes, and supporting grant-funded projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting principles, financial reporting, and auditing, with the ability to analyze complex data and communicate effectively.
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, performs professional accounting duties in the analysis, preparation and maintenance of financial records and reports for various Port accounts and funds; and performs related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Accountant is distinguished from Accounting Technician in that incumbents in the former class are required to understand and apply professional accounting theories, principles, terms and practices in the preparation and evaluation of financial records, transactions and reports. Accountant is further distinguished from Accounting Supervisor in that an incumbent in the latter class is responsible for supervising the performance of assigned accountants and accounting support staff and the activities and operations of an accounting unit.The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
1. Reviews, analyzes, balances and/or reconciles assigned general ledger accounts and other accounting transactions, requiring the interpretation and application of professional accounting theories, principles and practices; identifies and resolves problems.
2. Performs other responsible accounting functions related to general ledger maintenance and month-end and year-end closing; identifies and researches issues, errors and problems and develops and provides recommendations to ensure issues are fully resolved; as necessary, coordinates with IT staff on system issues and problems; monitors preparation of, prepares, performs and reviews a wide range of journal entries, including reclassification and correcting entries; sets up new account and other codes in the system.
3. Maintains and reviews fixed asset and other related accounts; prepares journal entries for the acquisition and disposal of fixed assets; determines whether fixed asset items should be capitalized and the appropriate depreciation period; maintains database of fixed assets; periodically reconciles fixed asset schedules to general ledger; coordinates and assists in the Port's annual fixed asset inventory.
4. Develops, reviews, analyzes, evaluates, updates, generates and/or distributes specialized accounting records, reports and spreadsheets; compiles, calculates and analyzes highly technical data and information from a variety of sources; reviews, verifies and audits reports and supporting documentation, including authorizations; identifies discrepancies, resolves issues and/or notifies appropriate sources and ensures that issues are resolved; distributes reports to internal and external sources in a timely manner.
5. Assists in monitoring grant funded projects; verifies accuracy of financial information and cost charges to grant funded projects, including correct coding and account reasonableness; updates and maintains files and spreadsheets regarding current project budgets and schedules; monitors and updates budgets to reflect funding changes; reviews grant requests for compliance; as appropriate and within levels of authority, bills and closes out grant projects.
6. Provides professional assistance and expertise in the Port's month-end and year-end closing and audit processes; reviews various month-end reports during closing process, identifies errors and mitigates risk of system errors; performs calculations and prepares assigned month-end and year-end journal entries and general ledger account reconciliations; drafts, reviews and analyzes audit workpapers; performs financial and other analyses requested by auditors.
7. Provides accurate and timely information and assistance to customers; researches and handles inquiries from customers on a wide array of complex, technical matters related to areas of responsibility; identifies weaknesses in process and procedures and recommends course of action for improvement; trains accounting support staff on accounting systems, policies and procedures and provides lead work direction, as appropriate.
OTHER DUTIES
1. May serve as Accounting Supervisor in that individual's absence.
Knowledge of:
1. Principles, practices and terminology of general accounting, including financial statement preparation and methods of financial control and reporting.2. Cost accounting methods and procedures.
3. Laws and regulations relating to the financial administration of public agencies.
4. Auditing principles and practices.
5. Operations and uses of standard spreadsheet software.
6. The Port's general accounting system and associated systems, practices and procedures for processing accounting information and interpreting data.
Ability to:
1. Operate a computer and spreadsheet software.2. Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
3. Understand, interpret, apply and explain applicable laws, policies and procedures.
4. Organize, set priorities, take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
5. Ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements.
6. Analyze, post, balance and reconcile complex financial data and accounts.
7. Make accurate calculations.
8. Prepare clear, concise and complete financial documents, working papers, statements and reports.
9. Collect, obtain, evaluate and interpret technical and specialized financial information correctly and explain information accurately and precisely to customers.
10. Maintain confidentiality of Port documents and records.
11. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.
12. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing; present conclusions and recommendations clearly and logically.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education, Training and Experience:
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in accounting or a closely related field; and two years of increasingly responsible accounting experience. Time served as a District Intern counts towards the years of experience
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
Working knowledge of SAP desired but not required.The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.
Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of People Services to be appropriate. The Department of People Services will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.
Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.
THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT (40%) AND APPRAISAL PANEL (60%) ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025 AND TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025.
To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portofsd Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.
Placement on Eligible List:The Department of People Services may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The District firmly believes in, and is committed to, the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. It is the policy of the District to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to age (40 and above), ancestry, color, disability (mental or physical), gender (including identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's sex at birth), marital status, medical condition, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.
Resolution # :2014-130
Dated: June 10, 2014
Salary : $63,035 - $93,822
