Accountant I/II/III

OBJECTIVES:

The Accountant series performs progressively responsible professional accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, reconciliation, payroll, treasury, debt, fixed-asset, grant, audit, and internal-control work for the City. Positions apply professional accounting principles to maintain the integrity of the general ledger, prepare and analyze financial information, support operating departments, safeguard public resources, and ensure compliance with City policy and applicable requirements. Depending on level and assignment, incumbents may supervise Accounting Technicians, Utility Clerks, or other support staff and may coordinate major Finance Department functions.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

1. REPORTS TO: Assistant Director of Finance, Director of Finance, or other d designated supervisor
2. DIRECTS: May supervise Accounting Technicians, Utility Clerks or other support staff as assigned, supervisory scope varies by level
3. OTHER: Works with all city department heads, outside accounting and auditing personnel and the general public.

 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Accountant I is the entry/developmental level in the series. Performs routine to moderately complex professional accounting assignments under general supervision. Learns City funds, systems, policies, and reporting requirements; prepares journal entries and reconciliations; and assists with closing, financial reporting, payroll, budget, audit, and other assigned functions. Receives general supervision from the Assistant Director of Finance, Director of Finance, or designee. The position typically does not exercise formal supervision but may provide technical guidance or review routine work.

Accountant II is the full journey-level classification. Independently performs the full range of professional accounting duties for one or more major functions. Resolves complex discrepancies, prepares financial reports and audit schedules, coordinates assigned processes, and may supervise technical staff. Receives general direction and independently manages assigned functions. The position may supervise Accounting Technicians, Utility Clerks, or other support staff and may coordinate cross-functional workflows.

Accountant III is the advanced level in the series. Performs the most complex accounting and financial-control work; oversees major functions and the accuracy of the general ledger; reviews staff work; supervises assigned employees; develops procedures and internal controls; and acts for Finance leadership as assigned. Receives general direction and exercises substantial independent judgment. The position typically supervises assigned staff, reviews accounting work, coordinates major functions, and may act for Finance leadership as assigned.

Progression through the series is not automatic. Advancement requires demonstrated competency, sustained satisfactory performance, performance of the higher-level duties, completion of required education and experience, and departmental and budget authorization.

The Accountant I, II, and III is responsible for the ongoing daily operations required by the Finance Department. Duties are varied and diverse. Some will be repetitive and others will be unique, but in most cases the work will be as directed or self-explanatory. Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Prepares, reviews, and maintains accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, governmental accounting practices, City policies, established procedures, and approved auditor recommendations.
• Prepares and posts journal entries; reviews transactions and supporting documentation; researches and corrects discrepancies; and maintains the accuracy and integrity of assigned general-ledger accounts.
• Performs account, bank, cash, payroll, benefit, receivable, payable, investment, debt, fixed-asset, or other reconciliations as assigned.
• Participates in monthly and year-end closing activities, including accruals, adjusting entries, account analysis, supporting schedules, and financial-statement preparation.
• Prepares financial reports, detailed general-ledger reports, analyses, schedules, correspondence, surveys, and other information for management, departments, auditors, regulators, grantors, and other stakeholders.
• Assists with annual budget development, budget amendments, monthly budget monitoring, revenue and expenditure analysis, and departmental financial support.
• Supports external and internal audits by preparing schedules, compiling records, responding to requests, and implementing approved recommendations.
• Maintains complete and accurate records and procedures for assigned functions and complies with records-retention requirements.
• Evaluates accounting methods, workflows, internal controls, and system processes and recommends improvements to accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and service.
• Provides professional assistance to City departments, employees, vendors, auditors, public officials, and the public; explains policies and resolves accounting issues in a courteous and timely manner.
• Uses financial systems, spreadsheets, reporting tools, and other technology to process, analyze, reconcile, and report financial information.
• Maintains confidentiality and safeguards financial, payroll, personnel, banking, and other sensitive information.
• Maintains regular and consistent attendance and performs other related duties as assigned or required.
• May be required to attend evening meetings, work occasional overtime, or travel for training and City business, including overnight travel.

 

Level I Typical Duties

• Prepares routine journal entries, account reconciliations, cash and deposit entries, schedules, and supporting documentation for supervisory review.
• Assists with accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, utility billing, grants, fixed assets, investments, debt, and other assigned accounting functions.
• Assists with month-end close, annual audit schedules, budget data entry, financial-report preparation, and account research.
• Reviews transactions for completeness, authorization, coding, and compliance with established procedures and follows up on routine exceptions.
• Learns and applies the City's fund structure, chart of accounts, financial systems, policies, internal controls, and reporting requirements.

Level II Typical Duties

• Independently administers one or more major accounting functions, such as payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, utility billing, cash and investments, grants, fixed assets, debt, or general-ledger accounting.
• Prepares complex journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, financial statements, budget reports, audit schedules, tax or regulatory reports, and management analyses.
• Coordinates monthly and year-end closing activities for assigned functions and ensures transactions are recorded in the proper period and fund.
• Researches and resolves complex accounting, payroll, vendor, customer, or system discrepancies and coordinates solutions with departments and outside parties.
• May supervise Accounting Technicians or other support staff, evaluate workflow, provide training, review work, and ensure deadlines and service standards are met.
• Develops and updates procedures, assists with system implementation and testing, and recommends process and internal-control improvements.

Level III Typical Duties

• Oversees the accuracy and integrity of the general ledger and major accounting functions; reviews complex journal entries, reconciliations, financial reports, and staff work.
• Coordinates monthly and annual financial closing, financial-statement preparation, audit support, and implementation of approved audit recommendations.
• Monitors and reconciles cash, investments, bank accounts, bond indebtedness, debt payments, fixed assets, insurance records, and other significant City financial resources as assigned.
• Leads budget compilation, budget amendments, monthly financial reporting, grant reporting, long-range analyses, and other high-level financial projects as assigned.
• Supervises assigned employees, establishes priorities, evaluates performance, provides coaching and training, and maintains effective cross-training and continuity of operations.
• Develops and maintains accounting procedures, internal controls, records-management practices, and system workflows; evaluates effectiveness and recommends improvements.
• Provides advanced technical guidance to departments and Finance staff and acts for the Assistant Director of Finance or Director of Finance as assigned.

 

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Work is performed primarily indoors in a climate-controlled office environment. Incumbents are regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers to operate computers and office equipment; reach; speak; and hear. Incumbents may occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, or lift and carry records, books, paper, or supplies weighing up to 20 pounds. Some assignments may require pushing or pulling boxes or materials weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level is generally moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND TRAINING:

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices, with emphasis appropriate to municipal governmental accounting, fund accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of general-ledger accounting, account reconciliation, financial-statement preparation, audit support, internal controls, and records management.
• Knowledge of one or more specialized functions such as payroll and payroll taxes, accounts payable, accounts receivable, utility billing, investments, debt, fixed assets, grants, or budget administration.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information, identify errors or trends, evaluate alternatives, and prepare accurate conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, financial reports, spreadsheets, schedules, procedures, and professional correspondence.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, contracts, City policies, accounting standards, and procedural requirements applicable to assigned functions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, department heads, City officials, auditors, financial institutions, vendors, customers, regulators, and the public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, and to explain technical financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, confidentiality, and independent decision-making within assigned authority.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines, manage multiple projects, work accurately under pressure, and maintain reliable and predictable performance.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications, advanced Excel functions, financial accounting systems, reporting tools, and new technology applications.
• For positions with supervisory responsibility, ability to plan and assign work, train and develop staff, evaluate performance, resolve problems, and build effective teamwork.

 

EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

1. A valid Texas driver's license, or the ability to obtain one within a time period established by the City.
2. Must be bondable when required by assignment.
3. Professional certifications may be required for promotion or assignment to certain advanced responsibilities at the discretion of the City.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS BY LEVEL:

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered only when it provides the required accounting knowledge and is consistent with the City's FLSA classification and minimum qualification standards. The City may require specific accounting coursework for any substitution.

Accountant I

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field with substantial accounting coursework.
2. Up to two (2) years of professional accounting, audit, budgeting, payroll, or financial-analysis experience. Relevant internship or governmental experience may be considered.
3. Municipal accounting experience; advanced Excel skills; progress toward CPA, CGFO, CPFO, or similar credential.

Accountant II

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field with substantial accounting coursework.
2. Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including independent responsibility for a major accounting function. Lead or supervisory experience is preferred when assigned staff.
3. Municipal governmental accounting, payroll, audit, budget, or financial-reporting experience; CPA, CGFO, CPFO, or related credential preferred.

Accountant III

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or a closely related field with substantial accounting coursework.
2. Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting or financial-management experience, including governmental accounting, budgeting, financial control, and at least two (2) years of lead or supervisory responsibility.
3. CPA, CGFO, CPFO, or similar professional credential; experience with municipal audits, financial statements, investments, debt, fixed assets, ERP systems, and process improvement.