Accountant

Full Time (40 hours per week) Benefit & Pension Eligible 

Steele County

Job Description

Job Title: Accountant

Department: Highway

Immediate Supervisor: Director of Finance

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

DBM Rating: C43

Union: AFSCME – Courthouse Unit

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Finance Director and guidance from the County Engineer, the Accountant represents a grouping of positions engaged in overseeing and leading accounting functions and activities for a department.  The accountant is the fourth and highest level within the Accounting occupational series.  Positions assigned to this classification require advanced professional training in accounting and generally accepted accounting principles and practices.  This classification differs from Accounting Technician Lead in that the Accountant duties and functions require advanced professional training (i.e. BA/BS in accounting, finance and/or business administration) including experience and oversight of the accounting systems, controls and processes of a department.  Duties of the accountant may also include having lead worker responsibilities over accounting support staff assigned to the department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

·         Administers and monitors departmental financial and accounting operations of the department.  Duties may include such tasks as

o   Coordinating accounts payable and account receivable maintenance activities of the department.  Monitors cash flow requirements and needs.

o   Monitors and/or codes expenditures to various projects, accounts.

o   Bills appropriate entities for services provided and performed.

o   Coordinates and verifies the input of accounts payable into the accounting system as performed by support staff.

o   Audits and reconciles the input of department payroll.

o   Prepares necessary journal entries and monthly closing procedures to balance cash and/grant accounts.

o   Prepares financial summaries, reports and/or spreadsheets to review financial performance with department head and department managers.

o   Prepares years end reports; closes out year end books; works closely with the Finance Division is addressing any problems, issues, and/or implementing new accounting procedures, controls or processes, as directed.

o   Receives and processes confidential documents and information.

·         Provides management assistance and support in the budget process.

• • Provides research regarding past expenditures, prepares graphs and reports to illustrate financial data.
  • Monitors and tracks budget activity.
  • Monitors funding sources for current and/or future revenues.

·         Leads and makes assignments to accounting support staff within the office and/or administrative support staff.  Assigns, monitors and coordinates work assignments and assures work performed is in accordance with departmental procedures.  Coordinates office functions such as receptionist functions; employee injury reports or accidents; maintains service/vendor agreement contract files, records and accounts; coordinates the release of any public information in accordance with data practices; and implements data retention policies and procedures.

·         Coordinates and maintains perpetual inventory system for the department accounting for purchases and withdrawals; calculation of prices for materials/supplies used/sold; physical inventory and the appropriate adjusting entries.  Tracks and accounts for fixed assets within the department.

·         Develops and prepares various grant/project reports; develops financial reports for various local, state and/or federal agencies or funding sources.

·         Analyzes department practices to identify problems, recommend solutions and/or work with Finance to address changes in accounting practices, billing or the identification of fraud/billing issues and/or problems.  Performs cost analysis of various services and provides recommendation regarding appropriate fees for service or sliding fee schedules/rates.

·         Serves as a member on the department’s management team in addressing and discussing departmental issues, procedures and/or processes of mutual interest of the department.

·         Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.

o   Keeps abreast of changing development, trends and technologies in areas of expertise and responsibilities.

o   Attends conferences, seminars, regional meetings and services on various professional organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

·         BA/BS Degree in Accounting

·         Minimum of 3 years construction, highway or cost accounting OR 5 years of experience in any other accounting field.

·         Valid MN Driver’s License

Essential Knowledge

·         Theories, practices, and procedures of governmental accounting and generally accepted accounting principles.

·         Knowledge of laws, rules and guidelines pertaining to job responsibilities.

·         Theories, practices, and procedures of budgeting, financial forecasting, reporting, and financial planning.

·         Knowledge of accounting processes for accounts payable, receivable, fixed assets, payroll and other accounting operations.

·         Knowledge of department programs, projects, procedures and policies.

·         Knowledge of general business and office equipment and software including word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs and accounting applications.

·         Knowledge of county government functions and general county administrative policies and procedures.

Essential Skills

·         Administering grants, project funding and the administration of contract and/or service agreements.

·         Operating, using and applying accounting software, applications or specialized financial programs.

·         Interpreting and applying regulations, rules, guidelines and standards impacting department accounting operations and activities.

·         Learning and applying various department specific terminology, programs, regulations and funding sources and reporting requirements.

·         Delegating and leading departmental support staff and administrative activities within the department, as assigned.

·         Assisting in the development and implementation of accounting controls, procedures and methods consistent with acceptable accounting procedures and methods.

·         Preparing various local, state or federal accounting/fiscal reports.

·         Accounting analysis and projection techniques and procedures in the analysis of cash flow requirements, revenue projections, budget requirements and other financial projections in collaboration with the department head, management team and/or Finance Division.

·         Coordinating and assisting in the annual audit processes within the department.

·         Preparing, maintaining, reconciling and monitoring accounting processes and procedures associated with the maintenance of the general ledger activities, fixed assets, and other accounting functions.

·         Analyzing and interpreting general policies, detailed reports, and technical procedures, ability to write reports and business correspondence.

·         Project management and time management skills in prioritizing schedules, deadlines and projects.

·         Performing assigned duties and responsibility under limited supervision and direction.

Physical Job Requirements (Percentage of Time)

Category: Sedentary Work

·         Stand: occasionally (1-33%)

·         Walk: occasionally (1-33%)

·         Sit: continuously (67-100%)

·         Use of hands: continuously (67-100%)

·         Reach with hands & arms: frequently (34-66%)

·         Climb or balance: Never

·         Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: occasionally (1-33%)

·         Talk or hear: continuously (67-100%)

·         Taste or smell: never

·         Lift & carry: up to 10 pounds frequently (34-66%) & up to 25 pounds occasionally (1-33%)

Working Conditions

Duties of the job are primarily administrative in nature performed in a typical County office. The physical and environmental hazards and risks associated with the job can be characterized as minimal for the classification.

This description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.