Job Description

Summary:

Under direct or general supervision, performs professional accounting work, including auditing, analyzing and verifying fiscal records and reports, preparing financial and statistical reports, providing information to Town staff regarding accounting practices and procedures, and reconciling general ledger accounts; assists in preparing the Town’s annual and mid-year budgets; prepares year-end audit reports and schedules; and performs related work as required.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives direct or general supervision by the Director of Finance. Exercises function and technical direction over and provides training to lower-level accounting personnel.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Accountant I: This is the entry-level class in the professional accounting series. Initially, under direct supervision, incumbents exercise limited discretion and independent judgment in performing accounting and financial activities and may specialize in one or more routine departmental accounting programs. As knowledge and experience are gained, the work becomes broader in scope; assignments are more varied and are performed under more general supervision. Successful performance of the work requires good knowledge of governmental accounting practices and procedures, fund accounting, and fiscal management. This class is alternately staffed with Accountant II and incumbents may advance to the higher-level class after gaining the knowledge, skills, and experience that meet the qualifications for and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

Essential Functions:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Examines and corrects accounting transactions to ensure accuracy; prepares journal entries and reconciles general ledger and subsidiary accounts.
• Assists in preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements, and footnotes; prepares numerous financial reports.
• Analyzes and reconciles expenditure and revenue accounts, including verifying availability of funds and classification of expenditures; researches and analyzes transactions to resolve problems.
• Monitors cash receipts and reconciles monthly bank statements.
• Assists in preparing audit schedules for external auditors and assists management during the annual auditing process.
• Inventories capital assets; maintains and updates capital asset, insurance, and bond activity accounting records; prepares related reports.
• Performs accounting and financial calculations and analysis.
• Provides training in the use of the Town’s computerized financial system and assists departmental personnel with proper expenditure coding, document processing, and other accounting related activities.
• Reviews internal control procedures and makes process recommendations.
• Assists with special projects as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

An equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines
An equivalent combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Accountant I/II: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting or a closely related field.

Accountant I: One (1) year of responsible professional accounting experience.

License and Certification Requirements:

None.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of governmental accounting and public finance administration and budgeting, auditing, and reconciliation; municipal taxation and revenue management.
• Practices and techniques of automated and manual financial and accounting document processing and record keeping.
• Financial research and report preparation techniques.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Applicable Federal, State, and laws, codes, regulations, and guidelines as they pertain to municipal finance.
• Records management principles and practices.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and Town staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and Town staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Performing difficult, professional, and technical accounting and financial support work accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintaining accurate financial accounting records for special accounts and projects and prepare clear and accurate reports for informational, auditing, and operational use.
• Reconciling accounts, records, reports, and journals.
• Preparing financial and/or auditor statements, schedules, and reports.
• Interpreting, applying, and explaining complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Reviewing and verifying accuracy of data.
• Analyzing financial data and draw sound conclusions.
• Working on multiple projects with competing priorities effectively and in a timely manner; organize and prioritize timelines for self and others in an effective and timely manner.
• Evaluating and developing improvements in operations, procedures, policies or methods.
• Analyzing situations accurately and develop effective course of action.
• Understanding and carry out a variety of complex instructions in a responsible and independent manner.
• Preparing clear, complete, and concise financial statements and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining a variety of files and records.
• Organizing own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operating modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software application programs.
• Using English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Fair Labor Standards Act labels cannot be given to a group of employees. Each employee must meet every requirement for the claimed exemption. The designation mentioned above is for general manager guidelines.