Listing Summary

General Nature of Work

The position of Senior Accountant is a challenging, multi-faceted and fast-paced position requiring an individual with professionalism and integrity. The fast paced and ever changing environment requires an individual who is detail oriented and highly organized.

The Senior Accountant is responsible for managing the accounting department. This role also serves as a consultant for managers within the organization, advising them of current budgetary information and working with managers to create a fiscal strategy that aligns with the goals of the city. The Senior Accountant position requires an organized and highly motivated team player with strong initiative, communication skills and an advanced understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards and preparing a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. In addition, this individual should have a working knowledge of general ledger and month-end/year-end closings.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Develop, oversee and implement overall accounting objectives, strategy and functions.
• Oversee and process daily accounting and cash management operations, including accounts payable/receivable, cash receipts, general ledger, payroll and utilities, budgeting, cash forecasting, revenue and expenditure variance analysis, capital assets reconciliations, account statement reconciliations, check runs, fixed asset activity, debt activity. 
• Oversees the bi-weekly payroll function including analyzing timecard and payroll totals and explaining any variances.  Monitors payments to third parties for payroll deductions and City portion of benefits.   Reviews quarterly payroll tax returns and oversees the issuance of W-2s, W-3 and annual state returns. Monitors for compliance with federal and state laws. 
• Reviews monthly utility billings and collections and reviews allowance for uncollectible accounts for adequacy.  Monitors utility billing interface with the general ledger and proper cut off and completeness of transactions. 
• Oversees the organization and prioritizing of the accounting department workload; monitors work assignments and staff allocations; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work; gives advice and direction regarding routine and complex issues; trains staff.
• Performs accounting functions for assigned accounts and reports; enters and posts financial data; prepares and approves journal entries; reconciles accounts; balances report; calculates data and enters data into computer systems; researches errors and makes corrections as required; generates reports; maintains financial records; prepares tax forms; and submits mandatory reports.
• Maintains accounting records for various City funds; analyzes general ledger accounts for accuracy and appropriateness of transactions; reviews cash receipts and deposits, as well as journal entries, for accuracy; performs monthly closeout of general ledger.
• Assists in recommending and implementing financial procedures, including audit procedures; reviews efficiency and effectiveness of financial methods, processes, and procedures; makes recommendations for improvements; provides technical assistance to other employees regarding financial and audit procedures.
• Performs cash flow analysis and comprehensive review of City funds; reviews account balances; verifies money transfers; reviews cash deposit receipts; ensures deposits made to proper accounts; assists with yearly cash flow projections; maintains related files and documentation.
• Assists auditors in completing the annual/periodic audits; determines accrual balances; compiles data for notes, schedules and work papers; tests audit trails; reviews all general ledger and sub ledger entries for accuracy; researches and analyzes transactions as needed; obtains information, retrieves records, prepares reports, and provides other assistance as needed for auditors. 
• Assists auditors with agreed upon procedure engagements of the Police Department State Asset Forfeiture, Department of Justice and Department of Treasury Equitable Sharing funds; prepares work papers; reviews all general ledger and sub ledger entries for accuracy and compliance with federal and state laws and regulations; assists the police department with preparation and review of the annual reports.
• Prepares the annual SPLOST report and coordinates the advertising of the report in the local newspaper; reviews all SPLOST transactions for compliance with state law.
• Participates in special projects as assigned; researches, compiles and prepares reports; analyzes data and makes recommendations; assists in making financial decisions; serves on committees; submits all mandated reports to regulatory agencies or others as required.
• Assists in preparing the annual budget; participates in forecasting revenues, capital requirements and cash flow management for all funds; compares data and recommends appropriate adjustments; checks, balances and verifies completed budget requests; provides technical and analytical support as needed; proofreads completed budget for printing.
• Communicates with supervisor, City employees, banking personnel, auditors, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.  Communicates with utility billing customers as needed regarding their accounts and resolves customer concerns.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, budget spreadsheets, financial statements, general ledger spreadsheets, trend reports, or other documents.  Consults with Finance Director to review financial operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction; attends City Council meetings as needed.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, journal entries, bank statements, deposit slips, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Operates a personal computer, general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

Additional Functions: Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Data Utilization:  Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction:  Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization:  Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude:  Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude:  Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning:  Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning:  Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

MININUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Management, or related field

• 3+ years prior experience in finance/accounting
• Supervisory experience
• Experience with financial ERP systems
• Proficient in Excel, Word and Outlook
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• CPA or similar credentials preferred

ADA Requirements: Individuals applying for the posted position must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Physical Ability:  Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors and visual cues or signals. 

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Professional office environment
• Minimal travel (<20%)

Occasional evenings/weekends may be required