Senior Accountant

The purpose of this classification is to coordinate various financial operations/activities, to include supervising assigned financial records of the Town, overseeing collection of revenues, disbursement of funds, and other fiscal operations, and assisting the Chief Financial Officer, Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director with maintenance of financial records and fiscal controls.

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 of employees, volunteers, or other workers, to include processing employee concerns and problems, directing work.

Provides direction, guidance, and assistance to employees; provides training as needed; coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work, inspects completed work, and troubleshoots problem situations.

Coordinates processing of a variety of documentation associated with Town financial operations and department operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures.

Assists in interpreting, applying, and ensuring compliance with established policies/procedures, governmental accounting standards, and all other applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

Assists with development and implementation of policies and procedures pertaining to financial operations.

Audits, balances, and updates cash reports from cashier for receipts collected from all revenue sources, including building, water, stormwater planning & zoning, engineering, police, code enforcement, and all miscellaneous revenue sources; assists in determining issues such as proper cash receipts system setup and account coding.

Audits, balances, and updates cash reports from receipts collected from the Utility Department.  

Maintains, complies, and analyzes records pertaining to journal entries, trial balances, revenue control, or other related records.

Assists with maintenance of general ledgers, subsidiary ledgers, and the more complex accounts of internal control and analyses.

Assists auditors with coordination of preliminary and annual financial audit processes; prepares audit work papers in conjunction with the audit process.

Prepares financial and statistical sections of the Town’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

Oversees the Town’s fixed asset system/process, including machinery, equipment, land and buildings; assists in determining issues such as proper threshold limits, fund and category review, system setup, structure issues, depreciation issues, and processes asset disposals.

Oversees accounts receivable process and system; assists in determining issues such as system setup and balancing issues.

Maintains detailed records of performance bonds and escrow accounts; prepare performance bond and escrow schedules; reconciles to subsidiary ledger; provides documentation to auditors.

Prepares bank reconciliations for all Town operating accounts.  Performs all banking transactions for the Town including transfers, wires, bond payments and reconciliation of daily activities; transmits bank files.

Provides backup coverage for accounting staff as needed, which may include working with returned checks, water cash receipts, electronic transfer of direct deposit and 941 payroll taxes, scheduling, or other activities; conducts cross-training in other fiscal functions/procedures and provides assistance/backup as needed.

Performs a variety of general accounting/bookkeeping functions, such as preparing journal entries, preparing bank deposits, calculating data, keying/posting financial data, balancing/reconciling reports, researching financial discrepancies, correcting data errors, maintaining financial records, generating reports, or submitting mandatory reports.

Performs customer service functions for employees, other departments, vendors, customers, the public, or other individuals; provides information and assistance regarding accounting-related issues; researches problems and initiates problem resolution.

Prepares, reviews, balances, and/or distributes a variety of financial reports to Town departments, outside agencies, or other individuals; prepares reports to the state on sales tax collections and verifies accuracy of sales tax collections, prepares and submits Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Annual Financial Report (AFR).

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, journal entries, schedules, ledgers, spreadsheets, graphs, sales and use tax returns, comprehensive annual financial report, lead schedules, audit work papers, performance bond schedules, escrow schedules, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, journal entries, accounts receivable reports, cash receipts reports, fixed asset reports, fixed asset worksheets, pension fund statements, pension contribution statements, revenue/expenditure reports, balance sheets, letters of credit, contracts, agreements, general ledger codes, accounting standards, publications, policies, procedures, manuals, directories, Internet resources, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Prepares and remits escheat funds.

Approvals of procurement-related items including requisitions, contracts, invoices, budget transfers and change orders.

Maintains investment and SBA schedules.

Oversees and compiles information for state and federal forfeiture funds to ensure compliance with guidelines; prepares forfeiture reports for filing with appropriate agencies.

Maintain general ledger account structure; set up new accounts.

Administers grant awards; coordinates with Town departments to ensure compliance with terms and conditions; maintains grant files; coordinates collection of grant funds; files ACFR with Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, financial management system, report writing, e-mail, or other software programs; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, ink, or toner.

Maintains file system of department files/records; maintains files of letters of credit; prepares and sets up files; reviews, sorts and organizes documents to be filed; files documents in designated order; retrieves/replaces files; disposes of obsolete or sensitive documentation in accordance with applicable laws or established procedures.

Communicates with department managers, employees, other departments, auditors, pension boards, financial institutions, vendors, customers, the public, other municipalities, state/federal agencies, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Maintains confidentiality of departmental issues and documentation.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in continuing education activities; attends seminars, conferences, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include opening/closing office, answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.

Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.

Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or closely related field.

Six (6) years previous experience and/or training that includes governmental accounting, general accounting, fund accounting, fiscal record maintenance, accounting controls, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. 

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license. For application purposes, a valid driver’s license from any state (equivalent to the State of Florida Class E) may be utilized; with the ability to obtain the State of Florida driver’s license within thirty (30) days from the date of employment.

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 involving basic algebraic principles and formulas, and basic geometric principles and calculations.

Functional Reasoning:  Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

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

ADA COMPLIANCE

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 visual cues or signals.  Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

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

The Town of Jupiter, Florida, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.