Senior Accountant

Company Description

Incorporated in 1957, the Town of Clarkdale operates under the council-manager form of government. The Town Council consists of the Mayor and four Council Members, all elected at large to serve staggered four-year terms. A Vice Mayor is chosen internally by a vote of the Council every two years. The Town Manager is appointed by the Town Council. The Town Council also appoints the Town Attorney and Town Magistrate.

The Town employs approximately 63 employees and its Fiscal Year 2025 budget is $43 million with a five-year capital improvement plan budget of $19.3 million. Clarkdale provides residents with an array of municipal services, including planning, permitting, zoning, economic development, special events, parks and recreation, public safety, utilities, and public works. The organization also provides financial, human resources, risk management, information technology, and emergency management functions for the Town.

Job Description

DESCRIPTION: This exciting opportunity offers a clear path for career growth, with the potential to advance to Finance Director within 24 to 36 months for the right candidate. Under the direction of the Finance Director, the Sr. Accountant performs various professional accounting functions operations. Often in the course of a workday, work will be performed unassisted and self-directed. The department activities and operations encompass a wide range of internal and external support services. This position understands public trust and models the highest standards of personal and professional integrity expected of those working in public service. This position is expected to provide and promote customer service consistent with the Town’s Customer Service standards.  Employees in this class typically work a forty (40) hour workweek, however schedules may change depending on the needs of the organization. 

CLASSIFICATION:  Positions in this class exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment and are expected to resolve problems of a professional and technical nature.  This is a FLSA exempt, full time “at will” position with benefit package. The salary range for this position is $52,441 - $83,907 DOE. Highly qualified candidates may start above the minimum.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES: Essential functions and duties may be modified at any time at management’s discretion. Typical duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs payroll processing; enters employee direct deposit information; prepares payroll deduction checks and related documentation; prepares quarterly payroll reports; submits ICMA and PSRS retirement information.
• Reconciles general fund bank statements and LGIP statements; reconciles the Court’s bank statements to the general ledger; reconciles utility and accounts receivable modules with the general ledger; reconciles the general deposits payable account; reconciles grant funds; reconciles various general ledger accounts.
• Prepares journal entries to record LGIP statement monthly activity; prepares journal entries to reflect the Court’s monthly activity from bank statements; prepares journal entries to record the department’s use of water/sewer service provided by the Town; prepares journal entries as needed to make corrections to account numbers; enters journal entries for payroll electronic transmittals; enters journal entries for quarterly reports.
• For accounts receivable, prepares billings for septage recovery, GIITM officer, utility reimbursement and other billings as required.
• Prepares monthly budget reports for departments; runs budget reports when requested by departments; maintains spreadsheets on construction projects; monitors grant activity and maintains spreadsheets and documentation; prepares and reports TPT tax.
• Participates in preparing and gathering information for the annual audit; prepares and submits quarterly tax reports; prepares W-2 and 1099 statements; performs all accounting functions related to fixed assets; stores previous year’s paperwork.
• Processes payroll, including tracking of overtime, project-based payroll entries, personal time off, and compliance with state and federal regulations, uniform checks and payroll deductions including payments to pension agents.
• Participates in responding to budget questions from departments; participates in preparing documents for distribution; participates in reviewing payroll reports; assists in coverage as needed; performs research as requested.
• Works collaboratively with the Human Resources Department.
• Assists with risk management and insurance claims.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values and goals of the Town by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Supports the relationship between the Town and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with residents, visitors and Town staff; enthusiastically promotes the Town’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a closely related field and at least two years of government accounting experience; OR any combination of education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required.

Special Requirements, Licenses, and Certificates

• Must complete online training and testing with National Incident Management System (NIMS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within six (6) months of hire and maintain current/ongoing certification as needed.
• Must possess, or obtain upon employment, a valid Arizona drivers’ license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of governmental accounting and GAAP and GASB.
• Business practices and methods.
• Payroll rules and regulations.
• Uses and applications of personal computers and various software applications.
• Experience with municipal software systems (INCODE) and ADP Workforce Now.

Skills and Ability to:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Town staff, Council members, various external organizations and individuals and the general public.
• Understand requests for financial information and determine the appropriate information format.
• Prepare financial reports, including analysis and narrative.
• Prepare spreadsheets and construct and/or modify automated reports.
• Explain the financial impact of payroll rules or regulations.
• Work with all levels of an organization and provide technical guidance and consultation.
• Administer laws and regulations, make decisions, maintain composure, and work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Evaluate facts and evidence, drawing logical conclusions and making proper recommendations.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software
• Demonstrate flexibility in the face of change.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and duties.

This classification involves work that may require:

• Vision sufficient to read technical, legal and regulatory documents, periodicals, computer screens, computer print outs, business correspondence, audio visual materials, and other documents encountered in the course of work;
• Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person and over the telephone or radio;
• Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, and over the telephone;
• Mobility sufficient to safely work in office settings and similar environments;
• Dexterity sufficient to safely operate office equipment including computers;
• Strength sufficient to lift, carry and move ten (10) lbs.;
• Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is generally performed within an inside office environment, however working in outside weather conditions is not unusual;
• Work may require travel throughout the Town to manage projects, or to attend meetings, training events, etc.;
• The noise level is varied but usual to that of an inside office environment, however outside work can produce varied and potentially loud noise levels particularly when equipment is operating;
• The employee may be required to walk over uneven flooring or outdoor terrain;
• The employee may be required to work outside normally scheduled hours and/or assigned to report to a specific location for training and/or meeting attendance;
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.

The Town of Clarkdale is a drug-free, smoke-free work environment.

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION AND CLEARING OF A POST OFFER, PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING PROCESS (AT THE TOWN’S EXPENSE) IS MANDATORY, CONSISTING OF DRUG TESTING AND BACKGROUND CHECK.

THE TOWN OF CLARKDALE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE).

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the Town and requirements of the job change.