Associate Accountant

City of Delano; Delano (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Delano seeks a capable Accountant to perform professional level accounting and auditing work across municipal finance areas. This role provides support to the City's Accounting section and operates with independence on complex projects under supervision from the Director of Finance.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field and 2–3 years of professional accounting experience, including supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.
• Two to three years of professional accounting experience; supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of GAAP and governmental accounting principles.
• Ability to prepare and interpret financial statements and regulatory reports.

Responsibilities

• Reviews accounting documents for accuracy and performs corrections.
• Maintains subsidiary ledgers and reconciles general ledger accounts.
• Prepares trial balances, journal entries, and financial reports for regulatory agencies.
• Supervises Accounting staff and coordinates with the Director of Finance.
• Performs bank reconciliations and year-end closing entries.
• Responds to inquiries and provides public financial data.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business administration/public administration/related field

Job description

Bachelor's degree (from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field.)

Performs professional level accounting and auditing work of a complex and difficult nature in a number of areas relating to municipal accounting procedures and records. This classification provides professional level support to the City's Accounting section. It is the journey-level operational professional of the accountant series. The incumbent exercises independent judgment on diverse and difficult accounting projects and has accountability for ongoing decision making associated with his/her work. It is differentiated from the Assistant Accountant by the possession of full journey-level accounting and auditing knowledge and independence of action. This class is distinguished from the Senior Accountant in that the latter is the unit specialist handling the most difficult and complex technical accounting issues and has the responsibility for unit training. Disclaimer- This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed. In other cases, related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Reviews accounting documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations and makes correcting entries, as necessary.
• Keeps subsidiary ledgers for various accounts. Prepares and maintains control and subsidiary accounting records involving a variety of transactions and accounts.
• Prepares trial balances, financial reports, journal entries and periodic reconciliation of general ledger, journal, subsidiary accounts and bank statements.
• Receives direct supervision and general direction from the Director of Finance and/or Assistant Finance Director.
• Provides direct supervision and general direction to assigned Accounting Assistants and clerical personnel.
• Compiles and prepares financial statements, general and subsidiary ledgers, supporting schedules and financial reports for regulatory agencies.
• Supervises specific areas of the accounting section program. Responds to related inquiries from the general public, City residents, City departments, and other agencies providing factual information concerning the City, resolving questions, and providing public financial data. Provides City departments with necessary information to begin/end City services. Reconciles and distributes billing receipts to proper City fund and reconciles to the General Ledger.
• Deals with and resolves customer issues that cannot be successfully resolved by subordinates that relate to supervised areas, as well as employee conflicts.

• Provides all accounting for all activities of the RDA. Conducts bank reconciliation for the five-district RDA. Records interest and activity. Reconciles and records missed transactions. Calculates RDA pass-through and set-aside and distribute to the districts. Prepares and calculates data for the development of the annual budget, preparation of State, other agency and annual fiscal reports. Gathers and calculates data needed for the annual audit of the RDA.
• Reconciles various trustee statements for debt service. Prepares debt service payments for interest and principal. Prepares year-end closing entries.
• Prepares a variety of journal entries needed to book various transaction activities, correct positing errors, etc. on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

• Identifies all accounts payable purchases that meet the City's fixed asset criteria. Updates the subsidiary Fixed Asset Ledger, computes and records depreciation expense and disposals, and updates the General Ledger.
• Reconciles fixed assets, and direct and conduct special studies and projects.
• Participates in the selection of assigned personnel; supervises, reviews work, trains, informs, evaluates, and recommends rewards for and discipline of assigned personnel

• Prepares and calculates data for a variety of annual reports for such agencies as the Secretary of State, Franchise Tax Board, Attorney General, State Controller, and Internal Revenue Service.

• Reviews current accounting practices and procedures and recommends modification and revision.
• Enters and retrieves data and prepares reports from an online or personal computer system, following established formats or establishing own formats. Prepares and updates a variety of reports, which may involve complex arithmetic calculations.
• Establishes and ensures proper maintenance of accounting records and office files for areas of cognizance. Researches, analyzes, and compiles periodic reports from such information for the Assistant Finance Director and Director of Finance.
• Attends City Council meetings, as requested, and represents the City at meetings, as assigned

• Serves on various City and community committees and boards, as assigned.

• Serves as primary backup for the Senior Accountant, and provides backup to assigned section activities and public service staff, as necessary.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted accounting principles.
• Principles and practices of fund and governmental accounting and accounting terminology.
• Principles and practices of business data/computer processing related to accounting.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to public accounting and finance.
• Principles of budget development and controls.
• Supervisory practices, selection methods, and evaluation techniques. Correct use of oral and written English, spelling, punctuation, and composition.
• Advanced record keeping principles and practices and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Principles and practices of PC's and related software

Skilled in:

• Directing and reviewing the work of assigned staff and training others in work procedures.
• Verifying the accuracy of financial data and information.
• Reading, interpreting, and applying written procedures, policies, and codes.
• Performing accurate detailed work, including complex arithmetic and statistical computations.
• Organizing and maintaining accurate records and files.
• Preparing clear and concise reports. Organizing and maintaining records and filing systems.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Communicating tactfully and effectively with the public and other agencies.
• Analyzing, administrative, operational, and organizational issues, evaluating alternatives, and reaching sound conclusions.
• Prioritizing work and coordinating several activities.
• Using initiative and making sound and independent judgments within procedural parameters and established guidelines.
• Understanding and following oral as well as written orders.
• Using standard office equipment.

Ability to:

• Operate a PC and related software
• Communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written English.
• Read, understand, and apply established City and departmental policies, procedures, practices, and regulations.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Deal with the public under a variety of circumstances.
• Work independently and in an innovative manner on concurrent multiple projects.
• Operate standard office equipment, a personal computer and related equipment and programs, including spreadsheet and word processing programs.
• Be bondable.
• Be consistent in meeting employment obligations by reporting on time and working full workdays and workweeks, as assigned.

LICENSES and CERTIFICATES:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field is required.

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the related fields is desirable.
• Two (2) to three (3) years of professional accounting experience, preferably in governmental fund accounting or other public agency setting. Master's degree may be substituted for accounting experience on a year for year basis to a maximum of two years.
• One (1) to two (2) years of supervisory experience is preferred.

Selection Process:

Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to participate in the interview and testing processes. Reference checks, Live Scan, background investigations, and pre-employment physicals including drug testing are part of the employment process.