Accountant

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; Ypsilanti Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental

Vision

Disability insurance

Life insurance

PTO 100 hours

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Ypsilanti Charter Township is seeking an experienced Accountant to maintain the general ledger and fund accounting structure, ensuring accuracy and compliance with governmental standards.

You will review financial transactions, prepare statements and assist with audits and budgeting, while supporting internal controls and cross-departmental financial guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or closely related field.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of governmental accounting principles (GAAP) and fund accounting.
• Demonstrated experience with financial reporting, audit preparation, and budget development.
• Proficiency in financial systems; BS&A or similar municipal software strongly preferred.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and compliance requirements.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Effective communication skills, with ability to explain financial information to non-financial staff and leadership.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and organizational ability.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and consistent attendance.
• Ability to work extended hours as needed, including during audits and/or elections.

Responsibilities

• Maintain general ledger and fund accounting structure for accuracy and compliance with governmental standards.
• Review, analyze, and approve financial transactions with proper documentation and controls.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements with variance analyses.
• Assist in annual audit coordination, serving as liaison with external auditors.
• Participate in budget development, forecasting revenues and expenditures, and variances.
• Perform complex account reconciliations and resolve discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain accounting procedures and internal controls to safeguard assets.
• Provide technical accounting guidance to other departments, reviewing activity and resolving issues.
• Prepare required financial and regulatory reports, including state and federal requirements.
• Assist with payroll accounting and related reconciliations; cover duties as needed.
• Assist in system optimization and reporting tool improvements.
• Support Clerk and leadership in financial analysis and long-term planning.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Governmental accounting

Financial reporting

Audit coordination

Budget development

Internal controls

Analytical skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Tools

BS&A software

Job description

Introduction

...

Overview

Under the general supervision of the Township Clerk or their designee, the accountant performs advanced professional accounting work involving the maintenance, analysis, and oversight of the Township’s financial operations and fund accounting systems. This position is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of financial records in accordance with applicable governmental accounting standards. The accountant assists with key processes including financial reporting, audit coordination, and budget development, and serves as a technical resource to departmental staff on accounting matters. This position exercises independent judgment in financial analysis, reconciliations, and reporting, and plays a role in helping maintain internal controls and fiscal accountability across all Township funds.

Benefits Package:

• Health/Dental Employer Paid
• Blue Cross Blue Shield/Blue Care Network
• Vision
• Short/Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance $100,000
• PTO 100 hours Day One
• Education Tuition Assistant Plan

Retirement Package:

Defined Contribution with a 12% Township Contribution HCSP of $2500 vested after a full year of employment.

Position

Responsibilities

The following duties describe the general scope and level of work performed and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

• Maintain and oversee the Township’s general ledger and fund accounting structure to ensure accuracy and compliance with governmental accounting standards.
• Review, analyze, and approve financial transactions, ensuring proper classification, documentation, and adherence to internal controls.
• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including variance analyses and supporting schedules.
• Assist in the preparation and coordination of the Township’s annual audit, including acting as the primary liaison with external auditors and ensuring timely and accurate submission of required documentation.
• Participate in the development, monitoring, and amendment of the Township’s annual budget, including forecasting revenues and expenditures and identifying variances.
• Perform complex account reconciliations, investigate discrepancies, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Develop, implement, and maintain accounting procedures and internal controls to safeguard Township assets and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Provide technical accounting guidance and support to other departments, including reviewing departmental financial activity and resolving accounting issues.
• Prepare and review required financial and regulatory reports, including but not limited to state and federal reporting requirements.
• Assist with payroll accounting functions, including review of payroll reports, benefit allocations, and related reconciliations.
• Occasionally complete payroll duties in absence of Accounting Coordinator.
• Assist in system optimization and process improvements related to financial software and reporting tools.
• Support the Township Clerk and leadership team with financial analysis, special projects, and long-term financial planning initiatives.
• May provide direction or functional oversight to accounting support staff, including reviewing work for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with elections or other Township functions on a limited, as-needed basis.
• Work with Township Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer in coordinating necessary tasks.
• Work closely with accounting and payroll support to perform all required tasks

Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field required.
• Three to five (3–5) years of progressively responsible accounting experience, preferably in governmental or fund accounting.
• Strong knowledge of governmental accounting principles (GAAP) and fund accounting practices.
• Demonstrated experience with financial reporting, audit preparation, and budget development.
• Proficiency in financial systems and reporting tools; experience with BS&A or similar municipal software strongly preferred.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and make sound recommendations.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and compliance requirements.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to non-financial staff and leadership.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and organizational ability.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and consistent attendance.
• Ability to work extended hours as needed, including during audits and/or elections

The above list of job requirements, duties and responsibilities, physical abilities and other abilities are meant to be representative only and not all encompassing. The Township reserves the right to add to, delete from, change and/or amend the requirements, duties and responsibilities, physical abilities, and other abilities herein above set forth at any time and without prior notice.

Physical Abilities and Work Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with some travel to different sites; when visiting parks or construction sites the incumbent may be required to walk on uneven and slippery surfaces, be exposed to all weather conditions, dust and pollen, and mechanical hazards such as construction equipment; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside Township boundaries to attend meetings.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction