Accountant

City of Phenix City; Phenix City (AL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Phenix City is seeking a Finance Clerk to reconcile bank and general ledger accounts, prepare journal entries, and assist with accounts payable, purchasing, and revenue collection. The role supports monthly financial reporting and maintains the Munis system.

Collaboration with the Finance Director and department staff is essential. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance and at least 3 years of governmental finance experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Three (3) years of accounting or finance experience, preferably in a governmental setting.
• Licenses or Certifications Required: N/A
• The following generally describes the knowledge and abilities required to perform the duties:

Responsibilities

• Reconciles bank accounts and general ledger accounts and prepares journal entries.
• Assists with accounts payable, purchasing, revenue collection, and financial administration.
• Ensures GAAP and GASB compliance and monitors reporting accuracy.
• Maintains reconciliations and verifies accounts balance to the general ledger monthly.
• Assists in accounting and reporting of asset and grant activity.
• Prepares information for annual external audits and maintains Munis system backups.
• Serves as the primary backup for the Purchasing Division.

Skills

GAAP & GASB

Purchasing & cash management

Finance laws (federal/state/municipal)

Effective communication

Mathematical reasoning

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance

Job description

Department: Finance
Location: Municipal Building

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Finance Director

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Finance Director reconciles bank accounts, general ledger accounts and prepares journal entries. Assists with accounts payable, purchasing, revenue collection, and financial administration functions of the department.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statement of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required, assigned and expected aside from those set forth below to address operational needs and changing operational practices.

• Ensures that state laws, regulations and city procedures are followed in regards to accounting and purchasing guidelines

• Stays abreast of accounting standards to ensure accounting information is in accordance with GAAP and GASB

• Ensures adequate cash balances by reconciling all bank and investment accounts both accurately and timely each month

• Monitors activity of accounts, researching transactions in order to ensure proper reporting

• Ensures accurate fund accounting, generating journal entries and ensuring transactions are posted in the correct fund and to the correct account

• Maintains reconciliations and verifies that accounts are balanced to the general ledger on a monthly basis

• Assists in accounting and reporting of capital assets

• Verifies the accuracy of the accounts receivable subsidiary ledgers

• Assists with monthly financial reporting

• Assists in maintaining accurate financial reporting of grant activity and capital projects

• Assists in researching variances and financial transactions and reporting

• Assists in the preparation of information needed for the annual external audit

• Assists in maintaining the financial information system (Munis)

• Serves as the primary backup for the Purchasing Division

• Assists with the accounts payable, revenue collection and financial administration functions of the department

• Maintain work area in an organized and neat manner

Qualifications

Education & Experience Guidelines
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities required for this position would be:

Education/Training
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance

Experience
Three (3) years of accounting or finance experience, preferably in a governmental setting Extensive experience in relative field preferred

Licenses or Certifications Required
N/A

The following generally describes the knowledge and abilities required in order to successfully perform the assigned duties of the position:

Knowledge of:

• Concept of accounting laws and practices and principles

• Purchasing, accounts payable and cash management procedures

• Federal, state and municipal laws and regulations governing finance, purchasing and revenue collection

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in written form

• Read, use mathematical and writing skills to review, comprehend, analyze and report on complex financial matters

• Utilize computer skills including software for word-processing, spreadsheet creation and maintenance, database utilization and other specialized accounting and financial software

• Work from administrative direction in terms of broadly defined goals

• Plan activities and work efficiently to meet deadlines

• Build and maintain relationships with other employees and supervisors

• Work non-duty hours including weekend or holidays when necessary

Physical Demands & Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations needed to perform the essential duties of this position.

Environment: Work location will be indoors with potential for overnight travel to attend and participate in training, meetings, and activities

Physical Demands: See accompanying page for details

Key Working Relationship: Other Finance Department employees to include Finance Director and Comptroller, Staff of designated City Financial Institutions