Senior Accountant

DEFINITION

Under general direction, performs professional accounting and analytical duties for one or more of the following areas: General Ledger, Project Accounting, Grant and Bond Accounting, Fixed Assets, Payroll Accounting, Water and Wastewater Accounting, Debt Services, Inventory, Purchasing/Requisition, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fiscal Year End Audit, ACFR, State Controller’s Report, Budget, and Financial Reporting, and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED     

Receives general supervision from the Accounting Manager or his/her designee. May exercise technical and functional direction over lower-level accounting staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the senior-level in the professional accounting series. Incumbents work under general direction and exercise a high level of discretion and independent judgment in performing the full range of routine and complex accounting. Successful performance of the work requires thorough knowledge of governmental accounting practices and procedures, fund accounting, and fiscal management. Ability to work independently with minimum supervision. Reviews work of lower-level accounting staff

Examples of Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Understands and applies current knowledge in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Government Association Standard Bboard (GASB) Accounting Pronouncements.
• Prepares/oversees the general ledger and sub-ledgers accounting.
• Performs/oversees general ledger and sub-ledgers month end and year end closing processes.
• Prepares/reviews complex accounting transactions.
• Prepares documentation for grant and bond filling/application. Tracks bond activity. 
• Prepares/reviews bond and investment transaction journal entries.
• Researches complex accounting issues, make recommendations for business process improvement, make certain accounting activities in accordance with District policy and procedures, and provides proper accounting recommendations.
• Prepares/reviews year end audit schedules, financial notes (as assigned), basic financial statements (as assigned), and statistical section.
• Prepares the state controller’s report.
• Prepares/reviews relevant annual report sections.
• Prepare/oversee debt and investment accounting
• Review/Oversee Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.
• Review CIP project interfacing to fixed assets.
• Reconciles/reviews fixed assets sub-ledger to general ledger reconciliation.
• Performs/reviews fixed asset sub-ledger month-end and year-end closing
• Reviews/oversees payroll, as needed.
• Backup other Accountants, Senior Accountants as needed.
• Performs other special projects or duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications

To effectively perform the essential duties of this role, employees must be able to meet the physical and mental requirements outlined below, which represent the typical demands for the position. District may provide reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to fulfill the key responsibilities and their roles. 

Ability to and Knowledge of:

• Apply General Accepted Accounting Principles, Government Accounting Standard.
• Follow specific instructions, be able to understand and explain complex accounting policies and procedures.
• Communicate effectively to all levels of staff and management.
• Effectively listen and communicate with multi-cultural internal and external customers.
• Analyze complex financial data and demonstrate a thorough understanding of financial data presenting.
• Work on multiple projects with competing priorities effectively and in a timely manner; organize and prioritize timelines for self and others in an effective and timely manner.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements in operations, policies and procedures.
• Analyze situations accurately and recommend effective courses of action.
• Understand and carry out a variety of complex instructions in a responsible and independent manner.
• Prepare clear, complete and concise financial statements and reports.
• Establish and maintain clean files and records.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, writing, and telecommunicating.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Work independently with minimum supervision and use good judgement in decision making.
• Proficiency with the following software programs; Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Words, PowerPoint. 

Minimum Experience, Education, and License Requirements:

A combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Experience:

• Four years of professional accounting experience.
• Governmental, general ledger accounting, projects accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and ACFR experience are highly preferred.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting. 

License or Certificate:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is highly preferred but not required.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various District and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Regularly require to sit, walk, bend, stand, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Ability to sit for extended period. Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements:

Employees work in an office environment with noise levels equivalent to typical office conditions.

The specific statements shown in each section of this classification description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent the essential functions and minimum qualifications necessary to successfully perform the assigned functions. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.