Accountant I

City of Porterville (CA); Porterville (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Porterville (CA) is seeking an entry- to mid-level accountant to perform professional accounting duties, prepare financial reports, and supervise accounting staff. The role includes maintaining accounting records, reviewing systems, and assisting in budget development.

You will work under general direction to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely financial communications with departments, auditors, and regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

• Prepares detailed financial statements and reports with analysis for department, auditors or agencies; ensures adherence to controls.
• Supervises accounting staff in general ledger, payables/receivables, payroll and reporting.
• Reviews and improves accounting systems and procedures; considers automation and forms design.
• Calculates and distributes revenues; assists in tax rate data collection and taxpayer inquiries.
• Assists in budget preparation; analyzes cost data and executes complex adjusting entries.

Responsibilities

• Advises on changes in laws and regulations affecting local government accounting; interprets requirements for external funds.
• Represents city policies and procedures as directed by City Council, City Manager, and Department Heads.
• Maintains confidential information and develops internal accounting guidelines.

Skills

Accounting principles and procedures

Supervisory methods and practices

Budgeting and program planning

Fiscal law and regulations

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or related field

Job description

DEFINITION

Under general direction, performs professional accounting duties in the preparation of financial reports and/or statements, development of accounting systems, and analysis of financial records; supervises the work of clerical and technical personnel; performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Entry level class in which incumbents perform technical and limited, well-defined professional duties relating to the maintenance of accounting records.

1. Prepares a variety of detailed, factual and analytical accounting, statistical and/or narrative financial statements or reports which require analysis and interpretation of fiscal data for use by a department, auditors and/or other agencies; examines, analyzes and verifies fiscal documents to ensure adherence to established controls; analyzes and initiates changes in accounting methods, procedures and techniques in order to meet internal financial control needs.


2. Supervises the work of assigned accounting technical and clerical personnel in the performance of activities related to general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll preparation; the preparation of financial reports, schedules, and other financial documents.


3. Reviews fiscal accounting systems, procedures and records; recommends and assists in the implementation of new or revised accounting systems; analyzes operational procedures to automate manual accounting systems; designs and maintains accounting forms.


4. Calculates amounts and distributes revenues to departments and special districts; assists in data collection and analysis for establishing tax rates; confers with taxpayers to provide information and investigate complaints.


5. Assists and participates in budget preparation; assembles and analyzes cost accounting records and other supporting technical and statistical data; makes complex or difficult adjusting entries and transfers of appropriation; establishes new accounts and budget controls.


6. Advises superiors and departmental managers of change in laws, rules, regulations and practices which impact on local government accounting and fiscal procedures; interprets rules and regulations to determine accounting and auditing requirements for externally funded programs; develops accounting procedural guidelines for internal and departmental use.


7. Represents and supports the policies and procedures established by the City Council, City Manager, and Department Heads.

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or related field and three years of clerical/technical accounting experience or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of:

Accepted general and governmental accounting principles, practices, theories and procedures; cost accounting principles and systems; laws, rules and regulations that apply to local government and fiscal operations; supervisory methods and practices; methods of business office management; principles and practices of public administration including budgeting, program planning, and evaluation.

Ability to:

Understand, interpret, explain and comply with laws, regulations and policies governing fiscal operations and/or tax systems operations; plan, organize and administer financial programs/services; analyze fiscal data and draw logical conclusions; identify and resolve problems relating to fiscal and/or administrative operations; prepare fiscal procedures; communicate verbally and in writing; use and understand an automated accounting system; understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures; draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; prepare written presentations; supervise others; maintain accurate records and document action taken; interview people to obtain information needed to investigate/resolve complaints; research regulations, procedures and/or technical reference materials; maintain confidentiality of information; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City staff, other public agencies and the public.

Requirement:

Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Driver's License.