Accountant III

City of Norfolk; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Norfolk's Nauticus division is seeking an Accountant III to maintain the financial health of Nauticus by analyzing, preparing, and managing critical financial records and statements. The incumbent works across municipal and nonprofit partnerships, overseeing accounts payable, cash management, and general ledger activities.

Essential functions include financial reporting, audit readiness, budget monitoring, grant accounting, procurement compliance, and asset management.

Qualifications

• Requires four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Three years of accounting or finance experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate financial statements and reports.
• Maintain general ledger and perform month-end/year-end close activities.
• Assist in audits and prepare schedules for auditors.
• Monitor department budgets and variances with management.
• Track fixed assets and capital project ledgers.
• Ensure grant accounting compliance and procurement reviews.
• Support revenue billing, collections, and cash management.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AFMS (Authorized Financial Management System)

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Norfolk, Virginia stands as America's most genuine and urban waterfront city. As the home to the world’s largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural hub of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been recognized as an exceptional place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous reputable publications.

Nauticus, a maritime discovery center situated along the waterfront of downtown Norfolk, offers a distinctive form of experiential learning for individuals of all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to STERN programming, Nauticus utilizes the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center, and Schooner Virginia to explore the story of the maritime environment, industry, and military.

The City of Norfolk's Maritime Center, Nauticus, is currently seeking an Accountant III. The incumbent will maintain the financial health of Nauticus by analyzing, preparing, and managing critical financial records and statements. Operating within a unique municipal and non-profit public-private partnership, this role oversees long-term revenue streams, manages fixed assets, monitors daily operational workflows (accounts payable, cash management), and ensures accurate general ledger maintenance and daily, weekly, monthly and year-end reporting.

***The departmental hiring range will be $59,745.51 - $66,240.91 annually***

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

Financial Reporting, Analysis & Audit Readiness

• Statement Preparation: Analyze, prepare, and maintain accurate financial statements and records.
• General Ledger Maintenance: Manage the general ledger, and complete comprehensive daily, weekly, monthly and year-end closing reporting.
• Audit Preparation: Perform internal audits and prepare detailed schedules, working papers, and balance sheets for auditors.
• Budget Monitoring: Generate monthly departmental budget-versus-actual variance reports and provide technical accounting assistance to the Management Analyst and department managers.

Municipal & Foundation Financial Integration

• System Management: Input financial data, manage purchasing functions, and process electronic transactions through the City of Norfolk's Authorized Financial Management System (AFMS).
• Dual-Entity Support: Collaborate across City of Norfolk municipal operations and the Nauticus Foundation (501(c)(3)).

Revenue Operations & Cash Management

• Revenue Streams: Manage long-term revenue billing and collections and monitor short-term revenue accounts.
• POS Reconciliation: Audit and reconcile multi-channel revenue streams including admissions, membership sales, tours, and group ticketing.
• Cash Verification: Oversee daily cash summaries, count and verify safe balances, and secure cash transport bags for formal banking deposits.

Core Accounting Oversight & Asset Management

• Operational Monitoring: Monitor accounts for payable functions, and check disbursements.
• Fixed Assets & Capital: Track and manage fixed assets, update capital project ledger entries, and monitor capital project budgets.
• Schedules & Workpapers: Complete special projects by managing monthly financial reports and preparing required accounting schedules.

Grant & Procurement Compliance

• Grant Accounting: Track expenditures against active federal, state, and private educational grants to ensure compliance with funding terms.
• Funding Requests: Prepare and submit documentation for monthly fund drawdowns and tracking summaries.
• Procurement Review: Review purchase requisitions and contract documents to ensure adherence to standard government procurement regulations.

Technology & Information Management

• System Optimization: Manage new financial technologies, accounting software upgrades, and information systems.
• Policy Updates: Review accounting workflows, update internal control policies, and formalize standard operating procedures.
• Training & Communication: Provide systems training to staff members and maintain internal and external financial web portals.

Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Three years experience in accounting or finance.

The preferred candidate will possess:

• Five years of experience in accounting.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, or finance. Master's degree preferred.

Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.