Junior Accountant (Community Members Eligible for Underfill)

Salt-River-Pima--maricopa-Indian-Community-; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is seeking a Junior Accountant (GL) under supervision to track and report financial information, prepare GAAP-compliant journal entries for governmental accounting, and support the General Ledger. This role emphasizes general accounting, reconciliation, and month‑end close activities with SRPMIC policies.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED, with 5 years of professional accounting experience or an Associate’s degree with bookkeeping

Qualifications

• Graduation from High School or a GED equivalent and 5 years of professional accounting experience.
• Or an Associate’s degree with 1 year of full-time bookkeeping or accounting experience.
• Preference given to a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting and GAAP required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare journal entries and assist month-end close processes.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts and bank statements.
• Review and analyze transactions for proper coding and accuracy.
• Manage purchasing card transactions and correct coding errors.
• Assist Travel and Expense program and related policy compliance.
• Monitor funds from State/Federal programs and assist grant reporting.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Time management

General ledger

Journal entries

Communication skills

GAAP knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in accounting

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

MS Word

Outlook

MS Access

Job description

Under general supervision from the Accounting Manager, Accounting Supervisor and/or Senior Accountant, tracks and reports financial information and performs a variety of accounting transactions within the Finance Department’s General Ledger (GL) functional area as assigned by the Manager. Prepare journal entries by applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for Governments including practices and procedures that meet the financial objectives of the Community. This job class is treated as FLSA Non-Exempt.

Distinguishing Features

The Junior Accountant (GL) is distinguished from other Junior Accountant job classifications by emphasis on general accounting rather than specific functions. This job class focuses more on creating journal entries and reconciling general ledger accounts.

Essential Functions

1. Assist in month end process including preparation of journal entries, bank reconciliations, account reconciliations, account analyses and preparing supporting schedules in a timely matter.
   • Analyzes a variety of accounting transactions to ensure transactions are recorded properly, are debited/credited to the appropriate source/program and comply with generally accepted accounting principles for governmental accounting.
   • Reviews and analyzes all monies received and ensures posting to the proper accounts.
   • Researches and resolves outstanding reconciling items.
   • Creates adjustment journal entries to correct balances.
   • Identifies and reports any discrepancies to Accounting Manager for proper resolution.
2. Manage purchasing card transactions through external credit card management system.
   • Reviews and batch assigned purchasing card transactions.
   • Identifies and communicates incorrect account string used by cardholder or proxy.
   • Creates adjustment journal entries to correct coding errors.
   • Assist in creation of account string combination on purchasing card management system.
3. Assist in Travel and Expense program for all funding sources in accordance to Travel and Expense Policy 1-15 and Administrative Standard Operating Procedures 1000-015: Travel Expense.
   • Reviews and approves expense reports submitted by departments for travel, mileage and other reimbursement types. Communicate issues identified in review of expense report, and resolve with proxy or traveler.
   • Monitors cash advance and/or expense report created in the system.
   • Assist in system maintenance of Travel and Expenses module. Maintains and updates per diem and lodging rate tables based on General Services Administration federal published rates, add new locations, add preferred merchants, assigns proxy roles, and reassigns workflow approval when needed.
4. Reviews and analyzes a variety of accounting transactions involving State, Federal, Community funded programs and other funding sources. Ensures transactions are recorded properly, are debited/credited to the appropriate source/program and comply with generally accepted accounting principles for governmental accounting.
   • Reviews monthly budget reports for appropriate expenditures and spending levels. Communicate budget deficiencies and issues to Grant Compliance to address with program directors/managers.
   • Monitors daily banking activity, reviews and analyzes all monies received and ensures posting to proper accounts. Create correcting cash entries as needed.
   • Review and apply federal guidelines and references as noted in the Grant Compliance matrix for each grant or contract.
   • Prepares reimbursement requests and submits to the Accounting Manager for approval and processing.
5. Become knowledgeable in other areas of the Finance Department such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, lease and financial statement preparation.
6. Consistently supports compliance with SRPMIC Policies and Procedures by maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of information, protecting the assets of the organization, acting with ethics and integrity, reporting non-compliance, and adhering to applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, accreditation and licenser requirements (if applicable).
7. Performs other job-related duties as assigned to maintain and enhance departmental operation.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of the culture, customs, traditions, history and government of the Salt River Pima- Maricopa Indian Community.
• Knowledge of general accounting, auditing, and budgeting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices for governments (fund accounting).
• Knowledge of the financial reporting requirements of the State and Federal programs with which the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is involved.

• Knowledge of 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
• Skill in reviewing and evaluating a variety of financial and budgetary records.
• Skill in understanding and applying complex rules, regulations, procedures, and guidelines.
• Skill in preparing a variety of computerized financial and budgetary records and reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and timely records of financial transactions.
• Ability to utilize the personal computer and related software, such as, but not limited to:
  1. Excel - Proficient in Excel preferred, including but not limited to: sorting, summing, and referencing other worksheets or workbooks in a formula, formatting functions, pivot tables, lookup function.
  2. MS Word – Proficient in Word preferred, including but not limited to, create memorandum, use tables and to use draw functions to create org charts and diagrams.
  3. Outlook (or equivalent email/calendar software)–Proficient in use of email system, managing of calendar and scheduling appointments.
  4. MS Access – Basic knowledge of MS Access preferred, including but not limited to creation or importing of tables, basic query writing, and basic report creation.
• Ability to operate a variety of standard office equipment including calculators, printer, and copiers.
• Ability to adapt to changing work situations, assist others, and meet schedules in a calm, efficient and effective manner while dealing with interruptions and pressure.
• Ability to comprehend and follow written and oral instructions and procedures.

Education & Experience

Graduation from High School or a GED equivalent AND (5) five years of professional level accounting experience OR an Associate’s degree from an accredited college in Accounting, Business Administration or closely related field AND experience equivalent to (1) one continuous year of full-time bookkeeping or accounting work.

• Preference will be given to individuals with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Accounting, Business Administration or closely related field

Equivalency

Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility

An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

May be required to work hours beyond the normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check. Employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required:

1. Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission
2. Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission)
3. Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission)
4. Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission)