Accountant I

City of Atwater; Atwater (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Atwater seeks an Accountant I to assist in maintaining and analyzing fiscal records and financial transactions under supervision. You will learn City policies, procedures and computerized systems, perform routine accounting tasks, and support annual audits.

This entry-level position provides training while contributing to budgeting, reporting, and payroll coordination within the Administrative Services Department.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional experience in financial accounting or auditing work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain City fiscal records and ledgers; review fiscal records for proper disbursements.
• Audit financial records and assist with final audits.
• Prepare financial reports and statements; assist with budget development and control.
• Coordinate basic payroll and contract fiscal administration; liaison with auditors and the public.

Skills

General accounting

Cost accounting

Auditing

Budgeting

Accounting systems

Spreadsheet/DB/Word

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or related

Equivalent of 12 sem. units in accounting/auditing/cost accounting/business law

Tools

Computerized spreadsheets

Database software

Word processing software

Job description

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of accounting, fiscal, and auditing in the preparation, maintenance, and analysis of City fiscal records and financial transactions; to learn City fiscal policies, procedures, and computerized fiscal management systems; and to do related work as required. Serves as Disaster Service Worker. FLSA Status: Non-exempt. Bargaining Group: Clerical Unit.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry and first working level in the professional Accountant class series. Incumbents perform a variety of accounting and auditing work requiring some knowledge and background. Incumbents may be assigned to special work areas dictated by the needs of the Administrative Services Department. This class is distinguished from the Accountant II by performing a lesser scope of fiscal management and analysis work, and the fact many of the assignments may be performed in a learning capacity while an incumbent becomes familiar with the City fiscal policies, procedures, and systems. When an incumbent demonstrates sufficient job knowledge and work skills and meets requirements, he/she may be promoted to the Accountant II level.

REPORTS TO

Finance Director, or as assigned.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

This is not a supervisory class.

In a training, learning, and basic working capacity, performs accounting work in the establishment and maintenance of City fiscal records; maintains a variety of ledgers and journals; reviews fiscal records to ensure proper disbursements of funds; maintains and balances revenue information; may oversee employee insurance administration; audits financial records and prepares information for final audits; prepares a variety of financial reports and statements; assists with the development and control of City budget information; may oversee and coordinate City payroll functions; performs special financial analysis assignments; may coordinate balancing of City cash accounts with the banks; may coordinate posting of journal entries; reconciles problem accounts; may be assigned to review contract fiscal administration; serves as a liaison with other government agencies, auditors, and the public; provides first line contact with contract auditors, preparing and providing documentation for the annual audit; performs verificationofdraftfinancialauditreports; performsadjustingentriesafterverificationas requested in audit reports; provides other City staff with a variety of information regardingfiscalprocessesandprocedures;andlearnstheCity’scomputerizedfinancial management, revenue, utility billing, and payroll systems. May be required to attend night and weekendmeetings.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye- hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, radio, and FAX.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Workisperformedinanofficeenvironment;continuouscontactwithotherstaffandthe public.

Knowledge of:

• General accounting theory, principles, and practices and their application to a variety of accounting transactions andproblems.
• Government cost accounting andbudgeting.
• Auditing theory, principles, and techniques and their application togovernment finance.
• Principles of accountingclassification.
• Budget development andcontrol.
• Computerized spreadsheet, database, and word processingsoftware.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of accounting and financial transactionwork.
• Learn the City’s computerized financial management, payroll, and utility billing systems.
• Proficiently use a variety of computerized spreadsheet, database, and word processingsoftware.
• Analyze and evaluate financial information, researching and gathering appropriate information to resolve problems.
• Monitor and update fiscalrecords.
• Prepare a variety of financial reports andstatements.
• Gather, organize, analyze, and present a varietyofinformation.
• Make mathematical calculations quickly andaccurately.
• Learn and use a computerized financial managementsystem.
• Effectively represent the City and City Administrative Service Department in contactswiththepublic,otherCitystaff,andothergovernmentagencies.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Training and Experience:

• Three (3) years of professional experience in financial accounting or auditing work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• None

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or closely related field including the equivalent of 12 semester units of college course work in elementary and advanced accounting, auditing, cost accounting, and business law.

License:

• Possession of valid California driver’slicense.

The contents of this class specifications shall not be constructed to constitute any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment, The City of Atwater assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein. The contents of these specifications may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a meet and confer process and are subject to the Memorandum and Understanding currently in effect.