Accountant

The Accountant will perform general accounting work to ensure that the activity in the General Fund and Capital Funds are accounted for and reported consistent with current accounting standards. Duties will include preparation of journal entries, creating new accounts, monitoring and financial reporting of various funds, tracking and reporting of all the accounts receivable to the summary ledgers, preparing analytical reviews of balance sheet accounts and reviewing posting and cut-off activity to ensure that activity is in the proper accounting period.

Nature & Scope:

This position will report to the Accounting Manager and will require individual analysis of other assigned tasks with some assistance and guidance. This position will work closely with the budget staff and various department staff to support the financial accounting of capital projects, fixed assets and operating expenditures.

1. Analyze and reconcile various operating accounts and determine if they are properly recorded and prepare and maintain the appropriate sub-ledgers for interim and year-end financial reporting on cash and accrual basis. Work with department staff and review balance sheets and determine if there are omissions or philosophy of accounting that needs consideration for adjustment.

2. Ability to project and analyze revenue and expenditure activity and relate projections on different accounting periods and basis of accounting for budget and special project activity.

3. Participate in the annual audit process. Contribute to the development of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), to include creation of year-end accruals, adjusting and closing entries, and development of disclosure notes and other information.

4. Create and close general ledger accounts. Work with department and accounting staff to prepare adjusting and closing entries.

5. Research, monitor, and report various departmental daily operations and recommend solutions regarding various departmental functions as they relate to statistical analysis. Prepare, forecast, and research data/expenses pertaining to revenue and expenditures statistics.

6. Assist the budget staff in analysis and review of the annual adopted budget, long-range forecasting, and quarterly financial reporting. Work closely with the budget staff on reviewing and creating new accounts for department capital improvement projects.

7. Seek new processes and procedures utilizing new technology and implementing those methods.

8. Perform related job assignments as needed.

Required Skills:

Requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or finance with a minimum of 6 semester hours in accounting and 2 years experience in responsible bookkeeping or accounting work, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Prefer MBA or CPA and work experience in a municipal government environment.

Position requires knowledge and understanding of current accounting principles, guidelines, standards and practices, financial analysis techniques, investment vehicles, terminology and procedures, bank and cash management procedures and budgetary policies and practices. Must have the ability to apply these standards to daily accounting, interim reporting and annual reporting. Must have a basis understanding of the application of cash and accrual accounting and ability to convert one basis to another. Requires effective written and verbal communication skills and proficiency in various software packages, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must have the ability to learn and understand the computerized accounting systems that operate within the City financial system. Individual must pass a credit check, federal and national background check, polygraph and have a valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record as defined by City policy.