Accountant

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to perform professional level accounting duties involved in preparing, maintaining, analyzing, verifying and reconciling financial transactions, statements, records and reports; performs duties in the areas of payroll, general ledger accounting, budgeting, and treasury functions; completes special accounting analysis; maintains accounting systems and controls.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: performs a full range of accounting and reporting for all fund types; analyzes and verifies financial documents, City revenue receipts and other financial entries for accuracy and compliance with established accounting and auditing procedures. Enters timesheets, prepares semimonthly payroll checks, payroll registers and reports; prepares tax returns and other reporting documentation related to payroll matters; compiles routine reports related to payroll activity; and reconciles and transmits payroll related benefits data and payments. Enters and maintains employee and payroll records in the Finance System and CalPERS. Perform complex calculations pertaining to employee earnings.

Prepares routine, not-routine, and year-end closing journal entries, reconciles bank accounts and investment statements, prepares reports and maintains a variety of financial schedules, records and files. Ensures proper accounting for fixed assets, revenue and expense accruals. Creates special worksheets to track taxes and other revenue and expenditure accounts as assigned. Prepares tables, schedules, and supporting statements for internal use and governmental reports.

Assists staff and other departments in researching and resolving accounting problems and inconsistencies, and may recommend corrective actions. Responds to inquiries from City employees requiring knowledge of City processes and applicable State and federal law. Understands and applies City policies, Memoranda of Understandings, Administrative Code, and other documents related to salary and benefits.

Assists the Accounting Manager by compiling data, preparing summaries and accounting schedules, and providing supporting data associated with specific accounting transactions for valuations, audits, reviews, and public records requests. Assists in operating and capital budget preparation.

Prepares documentation related to accounting procedures. Maintains payroll and records for internal and external audits; examines, analyzes and verifies documents to ensure adherence to established internal controls and accepted professional standards; evaluates accounting procedures and fiscal practices and collaborates and assists in implementing new or revised payroll accounting systems, procedures and records. Reconciles financial records in other accounting software and databases utilized in addition to the General Ledger. Prints weekly checks and related registers and reports. May provide relief coverage for department staff during absences.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and practices. Financial reporting required for the preparation and processing of fiscal records; procedures, and methods used in financial transactions and record keeping; applicable State and federal laws related to payroll, compensation, and benefits. Skill interpreting and applying payroll accounting-related laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Skill in the operation of a variety of office equipment, including computerized word processing, spreadsheet and database applications used with modern accounting systems.

Ability to: work independently; analyze unusual situations involved in fiscal, financial and statistical record keeping systems and resolve through application of City policy; perform clerical, financial record keeping work; understand and follow verbal and written directions; understand, apply and detect errors in specific segments of a record keeping system. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other department staff, other City employees and the public, and in functioning effectively in a confidential work environment; to analyze data, draw logical conclusions and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Education and Experience: Educational achievement equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in public finance, accounting, business administration or closely related field and two years of progressively responsible professional accounting or finance work, preferably involving local government; or any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the required duties for the position.

Licenses/Certificates: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License with a safe driving record is required and must be maintained as valid during the course of employment.