Accountant

Department/Division: Finance Administration

Job Type: Full Time

Pay: $16.50 Per Hour and Benefits

Position Summary

Under the administrative direction of the Finance Director, this position performs a variety of routine to complex accounting, secretarial, and clerical duties in support of the City’s financial operations. Responsibilities include maintaining accounts payable and receivable records, verifying financial documents, preparing payroll and departmental time records, and assisting with the reconciliation of employee payroll.

This position also assists with the preparation of the City’s annual budget and related financial reports, maintains financial records and statements, and develops charts, graphs, spreadsheets, and databases as needed. The position requires the ability to exercise independent judgment and work efficiently with minimal supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Verifies, allocates, and posts details of financial transactions to subsidiary accounts in journals or computer files from documents such as invoices, receipts, check stubs, and computer printouts.
• Reconciles City’s bank accounts to the general ledger.
• Post journal entries to the general ledger.
• Compiles periodic statistical reports on payroll, budget, accounts payable, receivables, and other items pertinent to the operation of the City.
• Calculates employee wages from time sheets and enters data into the payroll program for the preparation of checks or direct deposits for payment of wages.
• Calculates employee payroll taxes, benefits, & deductions.  
• Submits payments to the corresponding insurance carriers, unions, taxing organizations, etc.
• Prepares accounts payable checks and maintains accounts payable files.
• Examines a variety of accounting and other documents to verify accuracy of computations, ascertains that transactions are properly supported and are in accordance with pertinent practices and procedures, and are classified and recorded according to appropriate accounting standards; reconciles reports and financial data with financial statements.
• Contacts City staff, contractors, suppliers, or the public as required to resolve questions of an accounting nature; prepares necessary correspondence.
• Assists in the compilation of the annual City budget and related budget forms.
• Assists in the preparation of spreadsheets and journal entries for the external audit.
• Prepares various financial reports and statements, trial balances, schedules, exhibits, and summaries.
• Performs a variety of secretarial and clerical duties; types labels, letters, envelopes, and other office documents.
• Prepares departmental time records and payroll reports.
• Assists in the orientation of new employees.
• Recommends new or revised account-keeping procedures subject to review and approval; and may assist in their installation; interprets and applies rules and regulations of the City.
• Creates and maintains charts, graphs, spreadsheets, and databases to explain numerical data.
• Handles cash and negotiable instruments.
• Establishes and maintains office files.
• Prepares worksheets using Microsoft Excel software and types documents using Microsoft Word software.
• Operates computer, typewriter, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, mobile radio unit, and related office equipment.
• Prepares, picks up, and delivers bank deposits and mail for the Finance and Utility Billing offices.
• Assist the Utility Billing Office as needed. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Supervisory and Administrative Responsibilities

• Ability to prepare and compile departmental data for use in various types of reports.
• Ability to work independently, confidentially, and efficiently without direct or continued supervision.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the general public and fellow employees.
• Ability to type a minimum of 30 (net) words per minute with 10-Key Operation skills.
• Ability to operate standard office machines accurately and efficiently.
• Requires proficient knowledge of computers, specifically the Windows Operating System, and computer programs, such as Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, the Internet, and e-mail programs. 

Qualifications

Education

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of high school.
• Requires the ability to pass the Adult Basic Education Test
• College coursework in accounting or a directly related field is desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of two years of responsible accounting or bookkeeping experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and procedures used in the preparation of bank reconciliations, accounting procedures, and transactions used in general ledger accounting.
• Knowledge of the mathematical techniques and concepts involved in collecting, interpreting, organizing, and presenting numerical data.
• One-on-one experience in dealing with the general public and business professionals.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to organize duties and produce results in a timely manner.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Knowledge of the function, organization, and operation of City Government.
• Ability to successfully pass a background security and credit check.
• Extensive knowledge of modern office procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of the operation of a calculator, computer, facsimile machine, copier, and switchboard.
• Skilled in the utilization of Microsoft Excel and Word software.
• Knowledge of Tyler Accounting and Payroll software, preferred

Work Schedule

8-hour days, 40 hours per week. Working shift is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Overtime is often required during budget preparation and some during audit preparation. 

Physical Requirement

• Occasional walking, reaching, bending, and lifting or carrying objects under 25 pounds requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Perform detailed work requiring visual acuity.
• Use written sources of information, e.g., read reports, procedural documentation, and reference materials.
• Digital dexterity, e.g., using a computer keyboard and a calculator.
• Use oral communication to perform work, e.g., answer the telephone, receive visitors

Residency Requirement

All applicants shall reside in either Jefferson County or a County adjacent to Jefferson County, including any of the following: Marion, Wayne, Hamilton, Franklin, Perry, or Washington, as their principal place of residence, within six (6) months of hire, and thereafter at all times during the time of their employment by the City. Any employee who shall fail to establish and/or maintain his or her domicile and residency as required herein shall be subject to discharge from employment with the City.

Additional Information

FLSA Classification

Non-Exempt.

Pay Schedule

Biweekly (every other Friday)