Principal Accounting Specialist

Alaska Horizon; Alaska; On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

North Slope Borough in Alaska is seeking an experienced accounting professional to record transactions, reconcile data, and maintain accounting databases. The role involves supervising staff, preparing periodic financial reports, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and borough rules.

The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of government accounting, records management, and accounting software, with a background in data entry and complex data analysis.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with related work experience.
• Minimum four years of clerical work experience.
• At least three years of accounting and computer experience.
• Two years of college accounting and business courses.
• Pass criminal background check, fingerprinting, and TSA safety tests for airport access.
• IS-100/200/700/800 training may be required for relevant units.
• CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid certifications may be required for certain divisions.

Responsibilities

• Processes accounting transactions for the Borough in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
• Reconciles transactions and data; reviews payroll and accounting records for accuracy.
• Collects data and compiles reports; maintains statistical databases.
• Reviews accounting forms for compliance with rules and regulations.
• Interprets and analyzes accounts, grants, budgets and records for staff.
• Supervises and coordinates daily accounting staff operations.
• Checks documents for validity and accuracy; records and distributes paperwork.
• Enters accounting data into computer systems and maintains databases.
• Maintains records and files related to accounting systems and transactions.
• Responds to information requests; resolves errors in financial entries and reports.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and year-end financial reports.
• Handles delinquent accounts with customers as needed.
• May work non-traditional hours including evenings, holidays and weekends; 24-hour on-call status for certain units.
• Maintains confidentiality of operations.

Skills

Borough policies

Records management

Government accounting

Accounting software

Data entry

iSeries/JDE

CIS billing system

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two years college accounting courses

Tools

None

Job description

Summary or Purpose

Performs complex duties to record accounting documents and files, and maintain accounting databases; interprets and analyzes transactions, records and data.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification. Shown are duties intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position‑specific duties.

• Processes accounting transactions for the Borough in compliance with all applicable Federal, State and Borough rules, regulations and ordinances.
• Reconciles transactions and data according to policies; records changes, reconciles and resolves differences; reviews payroll and accounting records and corrects errors as required.
• Collects statistical data and compiles data for reports; updates and corrects statistical database.
• Reviews a variety of accounting transaction forms and other source documents for compliance with rules and regulations.
• Interprets and analyzes accounts, grants, budgets and records for administrative officers and staff.
• Supervise, train and coordinate the daily operations of accounting staff.
• Checks documents for validity and accuracy of information; collects, records, files and distributes related paperwork.
• Enters accounting data into computer systems, and maintains information system database; enters data, processes transactions, assesses and validates data, compiles documentation, reconciles reports.
• Maintains records and files associated with accounting systems and related transactions.
• Responds to requests for information; reviews, investigates, and corrects errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, transactions, documents, and reports; provides technical information to departments, staff and management as authorized.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and year end financial, summary and technical reports.
• Work with customers for resolution with delinquent accounts.
• May be required to work a non-traditional work schedule to include evening, holidays and weekends and may be subject to 24 hour on-call status. (Search & Rescue only)
• Respect operations by maintaining confidentiality of all the department missions. (Search & Rescue only)

Health Department

• May be required to work a non-traditional work schedule to include evening, holidays and weekends and may be subject to 24 hour on-call status.
• Respect clients by recognizing their rights and maintaining confidentiality, including HIPAA requirements.
• Protect self, co-workers and consumers by following policies and procedures to prevent the spread of blood borne and/or airborne diseases.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Health Central Only

• No CBC required due to not having to deal with clients.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Borough policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles of record keeping and records management.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of government accounting and mathematical computations.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and accounting software applications.
• Skill in reviewing and correcting mathematical calculations and computations.
• Skill in the maneuvering and data entry into the iSeries, JDE Software.
• Skill in data entry.
• Skill in correcting and updating financial and accounting information systems.
• Skill in CIS utility billing system.(Public Works)

Education, Experience, Certifications and Licenses Required

• High school graduate or G.E.D/or, a combination of 12 years of education or related work experience.
• Four years of clerical work experience;
• Three years of accounting and computer experience /OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of college accounting and business courses /OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience;
• Applicants must pass a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and a Safety TSA test provided by the State of Alaska DOT, to obtain an AOA badge required to operate on airport premises within 30 days of hire. (Search and Rescue only)
• Required to obtain Incident Command System (IS) 100, IS 200, IS 700 and IS 800; (Public Works)
• Required to obtain CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid Certifications; (Public Works)
• Ability to pass a thorough personal-history investigation of the person to determine character traits and habits indicative of moral character. (Police Department only)
• Applicant must pass a criminal history background check conducted by the State of Alaska Background Check Unit (AWIC, not @ Central); Documentation that the individual is free from active pulmonary tuberculosis.

THE NORTH SLOPE BOROUGH IS AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.

This Job Description reflects North Slope Borough's best effort to describe the essential functions and qualifications of the job described. It is not anexhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities or qualifications of the job. This document is not intended to exclude an opportunity for modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation. This is not intended to be a contract.