Accountant III

TOPEKA PUBLIC SCHOOLS; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

TOPEKA PUBLIC SCHOOLS is seeking an Accountant III to process, record, update, and reconcile fiscal information in accordance with policies. The role includes maintaining financial records and preparing reports, supporting auditors, and analyzing expenditures against budget.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and experience with governmental accounting; the successful candidate will monitor fiscal services staff and provide accounting guidance across departments.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of accounting/bookkeeping principles and budget processing.
• Skills to apply district, state and federal policies and regulations.
• Ability to work with budgeting data and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes financial information to identify budget variances and ensure compliance with financial practices.
• Assists auditors by providing documentation for internal audits.
• Compiles financial information related to work assignments and maintains records.
• Monitors account balances and related activity to ensure allocations are correct and within budget.

Skills

Accounting principles

Budget processing

Financial reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration / Accounting / Finance

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Purpose Statement

The job of ACCOUNTANT III is done for the purpose/s of The job of ACCOUNTANT III is done for the purpose/s of processing, recording, updating, and reconciling fiscal information in compliance with established policies; maintaining financial records; preparing reports; managing collections; monitoring fiscal services staff; providing instructions, recommendations, and/or accounting support to other personnel; internal auditor; and analyzing expenditures against budget.

Purpose Statement

The job of ACCOUNTANT III is done for the purpose/s of The job of ACCOUNTANT III is done for the purpose/s of processing, recording, updating, and reconciling fiscal information in compliance with established policies; maintaining financial records; preparing reports; managing collections; monitoring fiscal services staff; providing instructions, recommendations, and/or accounting support to other personnel; internal auditor; and analyzing expenditures against budget.

Essential Functions

• Analyzes financial information for the purpose of identifying potential budget variances, compiling statistical information, developing procedures, and conforming to established financial practices and regulatory requirements.
• Assists auditors for the purpose of providing supporting documentation and/or information on internal process that is required for audit.
• Compiles a wide variety of financial information related to work assignments for the purpose of providing required documentation and/or processing information.
• Maintains a wide variety of financial information, files, and records (e.g. accounts payable, accounts receivable, contracts, 1099-Misc, IRS, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of documentation and compliance with established policies and regulatory guidelines.
• Monitors account balances and related financial activity for the purpose of ensuring that allocations are accurate, related revenues are generated, expenses are within budget limits and/or fiscal practices are followed.
• Prepares a wide variety of written and electronic financial information for the purpose of performing required activities, providing documentation for future reference, conveying information, and complying with established financial, legal and/or administrative requirements.
• Processes a wide variety of financial information for the purpose of updating and distributing information, authorizing for action, and/or complying with established accounting practices.
• Provides orientation and support to other departmental personnel regarding procedures and program requirements for the purpose of ensuring efficient processing in compliance within district policy and established regulatory guidelines.
• Recommends policies, procedures, and/or actions on issues that relate to accounting functions for the purpose of providing direction and/or decision making.
• Reconciles a wide variety of financial data for the purpose of maintaining accurate account balances and ensuring compliance with established accounting practices.
• Researches discrepancies of financial information and/or documentation (e.g. purchase orders, invoices, purchases, journal entries, cash, fraud, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and adhering to established procedures prior to processing.
• Responds to inquiries from a wide variety of sources (e.g. other employees, vendors, auditors, government agencies, etc.) for the purpose of facilitating communication and/or providing guidance among several parties; providing information and/or referral for addressing inquiry.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of fiscal services.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: accounting/bookkeeping principles and budget processing.

SKILLS are required to perform single, technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying district, state and federal policies and regulations; operating standard office equipment including pertinent software applications; performing accounting procedures; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; meeting deadlines and schedules; working with detailed information; and adapting to changing priorities.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a department, large work unit, and/or across several small work units; supervising the use of funds. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience

Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required in in governmental accounting and preparation of detailed monthly and annual financial reports.

Education

Bachelors degree in job related area with an emphasis in in job-related area Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.

Required Testing

Certificates and Licenses

None Specified None Specified

Continuing Educ./Training

Clearances

None Specified None Specified