ACCOUNTANT III

DESCRIPTION OF WORK To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.
Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
DEFINITION: This position performs specialized accounting work is support of the accounts payable process and in support of the accounting division.
REPORTS TO: The Accounting Manager assigns work in terms of very general instructions.
JOB SUMMARY Responsible for performing specialized accounting work in support of the accounts receivable process including financial reporting & in support of the Accounting Division.
JOB REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Serves as Lead Accountant for the Accounts Payable function; monitors workflow; supervises, manages development, including annual evaluations for employees of the accounts payable function & performs the duties of the AP Accounting Specialists in their absence.
Oversees the AP check process, reviews AP checks for proper support documentation and accuracy, monitors vendor statement review to ensure invoices are paid timely.
Creates, updates, analyzes, and processes accounting transactions; analyzes complex financial transactions; provides accounting guidance to the organization; provides and communicates financial information to internal & external customers; records adjusting and corrective journal entries; assists assigned departments with financial questions and training.
Analyzes ledger accounts, prepares reconciliations for assigned balance sheet, revenue, and expense accounts while practicing proper accounting procedures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles & ensures compliance with internal controls.
Oversees procedures & processes & manages inquiries & requests related to preparation & distribution of miscellaneous payables.
Trains City employees on accounting processes and requirements; provides guidance on financial computer software applications, travel policies, etc.
; ensures compliance with state laws & City policies.
Update lease payments into Datebook software.
Post monthly payments into financial software.
Processes daily utility drafts and banking transactions, posts transactions to the general ledger, reviews journal entries, and reconciles general ledger accounts and bank statements.
Ensures accurate and timely month and year end close.
Oversees the maintenance of vendor records.
Ensures accurate & timely processing of miscellaneous payables, adjustments/voids, and reissues.
Verifies daily cash balances and maintains sufficient cash in accounts to meet City obligations.
Prepares and gathers information to assist with the completion of the annual independent audit; prepares assigned audit work papers; works with external auditors to provide information and answer questions; is responsible for completion of assigned Annual Comprehensive Financial Report schedules and the review of other functions’ assigned schedules.
Prepares other State & internal reports by established deadlines including the LGC203, COLL-91, E-585, E-500, E-500E, 1099s, TR-PEG, Escheat filing, PSAP.
Prepares and gathers information to complete internal and external records; responds to inquiries and requests from internal and external customers.
Assists the Accounting Manager with reporting analysis of accounts and miscellaneous special projects.
Processes incoming mail; monitors items for potential reporting or payment issues.
Performs other related job duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
5 years experience in accounts payable, local government accounting, or related field preferred.
Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the work of subordinate positions to able to answer questions and resolve issues.
Special Qualifications: Ability to be bonded.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of financial accounting and specialized accounting requirements for government entities.
Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board guidelines.
Knowledge of the Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting model.
Knowledge of internal financial controls.
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.
Knowledge of complex computerized financial software with high volumes.
Knowledge of property tax regulations and the North Carolina Machinery Act.
Knowledge of subordinate positions.
Knowledge of all division positions.
Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel proficiently.
Skill in analyzing complex financial problems and identifying solutions.
Skill in preparing clear and accurate reports.
Skill in reading tax maps.
Skill in establishing cooperative and productive working relationships.
Skill in setting priorities for competing projects with established deadlines.
Skill in performing complex mathematical calculations.
Skill in operating computers and other standard office equipment.
Skill in interpersonal relations.
Skills in oral and written communication.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES This position supervises Accounts Payable staff.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The Accounting Manager assigns work in terms of general instructions.
The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.
GUIDELINES Guidelines include Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; Governmental Accounting Standards Board guidelines; City ordinances and administrative policies; various federal and state requirements; auditing standards; the Machinery Act of North Carolina; local government rules and regulations; state statutes; the City Personnel Policy Manual; the Fair Labor Standards Act; and the Internal Revenue Code.
These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY The work consists of varied technical accounting duties.
Strict regulations and the need for accuracy contribute to the complexity of the work.
SCOPE AND EFFECT The purpose of this position is to provide technical accounting support for the City’s accounting function.
Success in this position results in the accuracy of City financial records.
PERSONAL CONTACTS Contacts are typically with other City personnel, bankers, independent auditors, bond agents, various state and federal agents, IRS personnel, grantor agencies, vendors, and members of the general public.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, provide services, and justify or settle matters.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination sound.
Hearing 2: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make discrimination sound.
Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position.
It occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Talking 2: Shouting to be heard above ambient noise level.
Visual Acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity like preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.
Visual Acuity 2: Including color, depth perception, and field vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors.
The employee is exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, and occasional cold or inclement weather.
The work may require protective devices, such as masks, goggles, or gloves.
Full time jobs are provided Benefits.
Benefit information can be found on the City's websiteServices HR Employee Benefits - Rocky Mount NC.