Staff Accountant

Position Summary: 

Manages complex accounting funds and performs a variety of professional-level accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance, and control of funds, including allocation of income and expense, expense and appropriation transfers, analysis of special programs and accounts, and the development of financial statements and reports; maintain related records and prepare periodic reports; prepare financial statements according to GAAP and other necessary financial reporting to be submitted to third parties, and prepare a variety of local, County, State and HUD financial reports and projections.   

Essential Duties: 

• Perform a variety of complex professional-level accounting duties in a lead position. Responsible for the preparation, maintenance, and control of funds, including allocation of income and expense, expense and appropriation transfers, analysis of special programs and accounts, and assisting with developing HUD and GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) based financial statements and reports. 

• Manage and oversee the processing of monthly and weekly subsidy payments, ensuring that landlords and tenants receive their housing assistance payments and utility allowances in a timely manner. 

• Coordinate with auditors on the annual HACC audit. 

• Respond to audit, limited partner, bank, trust company, and other external inquiries; provide various information and assistance regarding budget balances, accounting transactions, and related information; provide technical expertise and direction to resolve complex accounting issues and questions; coordinate activities with other departments. 

• Analyze records and documentation of transactions and monitor program expenditures for assigned funds and accounts to ensure expenditures and income are approved and allocated to proper accounts; perform expenditure analysis to ensure financial compliance with budget authorization and limitations; utilize computerized accounting system to review purchase requests. 

• Review and analyze financial and program data and documents to assure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with HACC policies and procedures, applicable HUD rules, and other governmental and non-governmental regulations. 

• Reconcile and balance assigned accounts and financial statements; monitor financial transactions for accuracy and timely processing; maintain journals and ledgers for designated funds. 

• Communicate with HACC personnel, vendors, limited partners, department directors, and other program personnel to resolve problems, correct errors, obtain authorizations, and exchange information. 

• Prepare a variety of local, County, State, and HUD financial reports and contracts; gather, compile, post, balance, and summarize accounting data; develop and analyze data for presentation in SHA financial reports; and prepare financial reports, summaries, and other materials for the Board of Commissioners and Executive Director as requested. 

• Compile, consolidate, and analyze financial and program data and reports; prepare and maintain mandated statistical reports and projections as requested or required; prepare and maintain detailed and comprehensive records related to assigned accounts. 

• Oversee all deposits for HACC through the on-site deposit. 

• Ensure that the HACC procurement policies are followed for non-CFP purchases. 

• Assist with preparing and administrating all annual budgets as well as other reports and statistical information. 

• Conduct research and prepare special studies as requested or required; answer questions and provide information and assistance regarding a variety of accounting, budgeting, and funding regulations, requirements, and issues; analyze financial accounting data and make recommendations; assist budget personnel with the development, establishment, and monitoring of the fund budgets. 

• Review financial record-keeping procedures and methods; maintain and improve internal control and operating procedures; implement new procedures and techniques and assure efficiency and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and policies and applicable government regulations. 

• Oversee and coordinate the network-based, automated Section 8 HAP payment and reporting systems. 

• Initiate the Section 8 portability invoice process; adjust invoices based on additional payments made through weekly check runs; facilitate reconciliation of portability invoices to and from housing authorities nationwide. 

• Assist with month-end and year-end closings. 

• Obtain and appropriately handle and execute all contracts and store properly. 

• Ensure compliance with internal control, reporting, and financial management requirements of federal grants, contracts, and subsidies. 

• Perform bond compliance audits and prepare and file necessary reports to meet the bond regulatory requirements. 

• Facilitate the year-end Section 8 1099 processing and reconciliation; electronically transmit 1099 data to IRS; process necessary revisions. 

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Strong organizational skills and must be detail-oriented. 

• Strong commitment to the professional development of staff. 

•  Knowledge of enhancing administrative efficiencies through appropriate application of communication information technologies. 

• Leadership skills to develop, implement, and sustain a productive organization. 

• Ability to apply considerable levels of concentration constantly throughout the day. 

• Ability to perform effectively with constant interruption and while continuing to meet deadlines. 

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally, individually, and in groups with internal contacts, property owners, and other organizations or officials as appropriate. 

• Ability to negotiate and resolve conflict. 

• Ability to be discreet and handle confidential information. 

• Ability to effectively write letters, reports, and procedures, as well as maintain documentation and complete required forms. 

• Ability to manipulate necessary office equipment, computers, and peripherals.  

• Proficiency in operating a personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications, and ability to search the Internet. 

Education and Experience: 

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Business Administration is required; however, four additional years of directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the required degree. 

•   Five years of responsible professional experience in leading the preparation and maintenance of financial and statistical records.  

Physical Demands & Work Environment: 

• Work is principally sedentary but may involve some physical exertion, such as kneeling, crouching, or lifting to obtain files and records, and eyestrain from working with computers and other office equipment. 

• Must be able to sit or stand for up to eight hours at a time while performing work duties. 

• Must be able to bend, stoop, push, and pull in the performance of office-related duties. 

• Must be able to use fingers bilaterally and unilaterally to operate office equipment. 

• Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that sometimes includes increased stress levels.  

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.