Staff Accountant

Under the supervision of the Accounting Manager, the Staff Accountant has the responsibility for a broad range of professional accounting duties including general ledger reconciliations, review of daily payment postings, and capital asset control. Working with the Accounting Manager, the Staff Accountant assists with the annual audit and preparation of the annual financial report.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Assist with monthly general ledger closing cycle including ensuring that all items have been properly recorded and determining that sub-ledgers balance to the general ledger;
• Performs end of day batch review and posting process for payments received from various departments and posted by the Finance department;
• Review weekly accounts payable batches for proper general ledger coding;
• Responsible for taking daily cash deposits to bank for processing;  
• Assigns capital project numbers for tracking expenditures in the general ledger for asset capitalization, use of bond proceeds and grant reporting;
• Responsible for the City’s capital asset management system; processes and maintains departmental capital asset records according to adopted capitalization policies and reconciles to general ledger and fixed asset subledger; coordinates annual physical count of capital assets as directed;
• Cross-trains and serves as back up or alternate in all Accounting functions;
• Performs surprise Petty Cash audits with departments to ensure cash controls are being maintained;
• Works closely with the Accounting Manager in planning and coordinating the year-end close, annual audit, and annual financial report preparation;
• Establishes written policies and procedures relative to areas of responsibility;
• Performs related duties and special assignments as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This is a non-supervisory position.

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting required. One to three years of financial accounting experience preferred; governmental accounting and capital asset experience preferred but not required. Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge Of

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; Governmental Accounting Standards Board pronouncements and standards; management principles; budgeting principles and procedures; automated payroll systems; computers; and standard office practices and procedures.

Skill/Ability To

Operate computers, including word processing and spreadsheet software; read, analyze and interpret financial data; provide technical and financial direction to various departments as necessary; establish and maintain effective working relationships with city personnel; excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written; and read and understand manuals, policies, and other documents.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid Texas driver’s license or available alternate means of transportation.

Physical Demands 

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to operate office equipment, including telephone and computer keyboard, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand and walk; and the employee may be required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds, such as books and stacks of records. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee has frequent contact with other employees in the assigned department, and may be required to interact with employees outside of the department, and must remain calm and professional in tense, emotionally charged, and stressful situations.  The employee may face difficult and stressful situations, and may be required to work under time pressures to meet deadlines, to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, to change tasks frequently, to perform tedious and exacting work, and to work closely with others as part of a team.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.