Accountant

Job Summary
Performs a variety of medium to complex accounting functions including the examination, analysis, maintenance, reconciliation, and verification of financial records on an individual department basis as well as a county-wide basis; preparation of reports and financial documents; and collection of data for special projects.

Essential Duties
Assists in the preparation of the Annual Budget including compilation of data, data input of departmental line item budgets, analysis and review of departmental line item amounts, and preparation of special financial information as required by the Director of Administration or Finance Director. Prepares annual budget for selected department(s).

Reviews County-wide departmental budget reports and prepares a summary of significant actual to budget variances on a monthly basis for the Director of Administration and Finance Director.

Prepares lead schedules, supporting documentation, and footnotes for assigned areas of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, including research and application of accounting pronouncements.

Prepares fiscal year end reconciliations, various spreadsheets, supporting documentation, audit workpapers and schedules for fiscal year end closing process and/or use by the County’s external auditors.

Completes the month end and year end closing process for financial statements, including preparation of various journal entries and reviewing the journal entries of others.

Communicates with department heads that administer grant awards on a monthly or quarterly basis. Records grant revenue when earned. Oversees reporting of federal and state grant awards for selected departments, computation of accruals for federal and state awards and reconciliation of monthly, quarterly, and/or fiscal year end reports to departmental general ledger accounts.

Monitors and reviews departmental financial reports on a monthly basis for proper supporting documentation and reconciliation of all accounts; provides assistance to departments in completing reconciliations as needed.

Performs duties of Senior Accountant and Accounts Supervisor when needed, required during absences or when workloads dictate, including supervision of subordinates when necessary.

Provides technical direction to accounting staff in the accounting treatment of financial data.

Assists with financial system software implementations and upgrades. Provides training in the use of the County’s financial software.

Provides assistance to departmental personnel with financial questions, proper expenditure coding, document processing and other accounting related activities. Attends meetings of the County Board and committees as requested.

Prepares and provides to management various statistical and analytical data. Ensures accurate and timely preparation of monthly, annual and other routine or special purpose financial reports and documents.

Analyzes asset, liability, equity, revenue and expense accounts and performs reconciliations as needed.

Reconciles County-wide cash including correcting journal entries, wire transaction review and bank statement analysis. Reconciles individual bank accounts for selected departments.

Ensures that the County’s financial operations conform to pertinent regulations, standards and guidelines and immediately advise any condition that might be considered a material weakness to the Finance Director.

Ensures that the County’s accounting procedures comply with internal control over financial reporting and immediately advise any condition that might be considered a material weakness to the Finance Director.

Generates various financial reports from the computer financial system by utilizing the system’s reporting tools.

Minimum Qualifications Required
Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; plus one to two years of experience in accounting and fiscal operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, practices, and procedures and of their application to a variety of accounting transactions and problems.

Knowledge of governmental accounting standards and audit standards for local governments.

Knowledge of financial data bases and relevant computer applications.

Knowledge of general office procedures, practices, systems, and equipment as applied to financial operations.

Skill in preparing financial reports in accurate and timely manner.

Skill in operating a calculator, as needed.

Demonstrated ability to apply accounting theory to perform complex analyses and reconciliations.

Ability to analyze and evaluate accounting problems and to discern those requiring policy determinations by superiors.

Ability to demonstrate advanced expertise in the use of spreadsheets and databases for use in preparing financial analyses and reports.

Ability to prepare financial reports and statements in accordance with pre-determined requirements.

Ability to assume responsibility, work independently, exercise judgment, and demonstrate initiative in performing the duties of the position.

Ability to plan and organize multiple tasks and establish priorities.

Ability to complete duties in a timely manner, including ability to work under time pressure to meet deadlines.

Ability to be flexible and willing to do other tasks when needed.

Ability to operate and utilize advanced computer software in the creation, design, and input of data, and to print reports from various data bases.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and personnel from other departments.

Ability to work the required hours of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Lifting 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

Intermittent standing, walking and sitting.

Using hand(s)/feet for repetitive single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling, and operating controls.

Occasional bending, twisting, squatting, climbing, reaching, and grappling.

Communicating orally in a clear manner.

Distinguishing sounds at various frequencies and volumes.

Distinguishing people or objects at varied distances under a variety of light conditions.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/browncounty

Deadline Note: