Staff Accountant

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

EXEMPT EMPLOYEE

Receives work direction from Lead Financial Accountant

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Performs a range of accounting, technical, review and general ledger tasks under the direction of the Controller.


• Is responsible for entering all accounting, finance, end-of-month, and other non-system generated journal entries into the finance system. All entries will need backup saved to allow for review to ensure accuracy.


• Performs reconciliations for the following areas: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Check Register, Utility Billing, and others as assigned.


• When provided with the documentation, and explanation, will correct errors and resolve accounting issues within the scope of authority.


• Ability to work independently in the absence of specific instructions and supervision.


• Performs work on internal metrics to track financial data and create reports for the Finance Department, i.e. Budget-to-Actual, Monthly Expense variance, Account usage frequency, and Monthly Revenue variance.


• Assists with ledger and bank reconciliations.


• Assists with internal audits of Finance, Utility Billing, Cash Receipts, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Assets, Inventory, Purchasing, and others as assigned.


• Must maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client records, and District information.


• Backup for Accounts Payable & Receivable Specialist and emergency Customer Service Representative.


• Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts, and document business transactions.


• Establishes, maintains, and coordinates the implementation of accounting and accounting control procedures.


• Manages daily banking, completes monthly reconciliations, prepares monthly entries to balance the general ledger; prepares wire transfers as needed.


• Completes year-end audit requests assigned.


• Documents processes and recommends improvements.


• Implements process improvements and automated controls for both Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.


• Five (5) years of relevant professional experience; or equivalent training, education, and/or experience.


• Knowledge and skill mastery of MS Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS, SharePoint, etc.) and fluency in the use of advanced technological tools to develop cost-effective financial policies, data collection, reporting, analysis, forecasting. Not limited to advanced formula usage (e.g., VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, IFERROR, Pivot Tables), data sorting and filtering, data compilation and manipulation, and conditional formatting.


• Knowledge of GAAP.


• Skill and ability to demonstrate commitment to consistency, integrity, transparency, and equity.


• Skilled in a detail-oriented mindset with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.


• Skilled in strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex financial data.


• Effective collaboration with Finance staff and other District staff is a core job expectation. Employees are required to engage in professional, respectful, and cooperative interactions that support the District’s purpose and vision, fiscal integrity, and operational effectiveness.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Regularly required to walk, stand, sit, talk or hear in person or via telephone, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment, reach with hands and arms.


• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus to read and operate office and computer equipment as necessary during work assignments.


• While performing the duties, employees of this class are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform detailed work; and interact with staff and others encountered in the course of work.


• May need to travel occasionally to various District locations or to off­site meetings as necessary and as the assignment demands.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Climate controlled/indoor office conditions.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be organized and able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.


• Must have good communication and interpersonal skills.


• Must be able to utilize good judgment, demonstrate ethical behavior, and possess ability to function as an integral part of the organizational structure.


• Ability to plan and organize work to meet daily and periodic goals.


• Ability to handle stressful situations and/or work with frequent interruptions.


• Must possess valid Texas Driver's License.


• Must pass pre-employment physical and drug testing.


• Must abide by all policies and procedures covered within the Employee Personnel Manual and the Finance Department.

PREFERENCES:

• Non-smoker.


• Proficient skills with MS Office.


• Three (3) years’ experience in local government finance.


• Knowledge of governmental accounting software applications.

PAY GRADE:

Grade 11