Senior Accountant

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs advanced professional accounting and budget-related work; prepares, reconciles, analyzes, and reports on District financial records, audits, and budgets; coordinates specialized accounting functions and projects; provides technical expertise regarding accounting procedures and internal controls; and performs related duties as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This single-incumbent classification is fully responsible for performing and ensuring compliance in daily professional accounting, budget, and fiscal activities; exercises independent judgment within accepted accounting standards, regulations, and internal policies.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

This position is supervised by the Finance Supervisor.  It does not supervise any staff.  This position may perform some advanced functions in the absence of department supervisor, and may train lower-level Finance staff as directed.Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Analyzes and reconciles general ledger, subsidiary ledger, bank, asset, liability, and net asset accounts; prepares advanced adjusting and closing journal entries; performs month-end and year-end closing activities; and prepares related financial reports, schedules, worksheets, and supporting documentation; 
• Administers capital asset accounting and capital project-related financial activities, including maintaining capital asset records and depreciation schedules, preparing related journal entries and audit schedules, coordinating property damage recoveries and insurance claims, reconciling developer deposits and project billings, and processing project closeouts, invoices, and refunds; 
• Assists in the preparation, administration, and analysis of the District’s annual operating and capital budgets; prepares financial analyses, projections, expenditure forecasts, and budget monitoring reports; 
• Conducts and coordinates internal and external audits; prepares audit schedules and supporting documentation; reviews financial transactions and records for compliance with governmental accounting standards, internal controls, and professional accounting practices; reviews payroll and accounts payable transactions and performs related finance functions as needed; 
• Recommends, develops, and implements accounting systems, procedures, reports, queries, and automated tools to improve financial reporting, analysis, efficiency, and compliance; provides technical guidance and direction to lower-level staff; may perform Accounting Technician duties based on staffing needs;
• Operates copiers, office equipment, and computer software & programs required for the work;
• Performs duties in a timely and professional manner and works well with others or in a team setting; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships;
• Regular attendance and adherence to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities; may be called upon to respond to emergency operations as a disaster service worker and support Emergency Operations Center activities;
• Observes safe work practices and safety methods; performs other duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate Traits

• Prior experience working in government accounting;
• Demonstrated dedication to GASB best practices and internal controls;
• Ability to accurately review detailed information and identify areas of concern;
• Prior experience in preparing financial reports and statements;
• Analytical and problem-solving skills; prioritization and ability to regularly meet deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
 
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of accounting and auditing, including general and governmental accounting and budgeting;
• Business data processing applications related to accounting and budgeting, such as Microsoft Excel; office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers; 
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to assigned work, including bond and investment regulations;
• Methods and techniques of preparing financial reports and statements;
• Advanced mathematical principles related to the work;
• Principles and practices of financial record keeping and reporting;
• Principles and practices of financial/statistical/comparative analysis;
• Principles of payroll processing;

 
Ability to:

• Perform a variety of professional accounting and financial analysis functions; develop and implement efficient accounting procedures and internal controls;
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; 
• Communicate effectively with other departments, the general public, and government agencies;  
• Train lower-level Finance staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those contacted in the course of work;
• Participate in budget development; 
• Perform cash flow analysis;
• Prepare and maintain accurate financial statements, records, and reports;
• Perform applicable mathematical calculations quickly and accurately;
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable laws, regulations, and policies; 
• Operate standard office equipment, including computers and supporting software applications.

 
Education & Experience
 
Any combination of education or experience that would likely provide the necessary knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be: Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Accounting or a related field, plus two years of professional accounting experience.  Public agency accounting experience is desirable.
 
Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements

• None required; however, position-related certificates and licenses will be noted.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
 
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Employees may be required to wear and/or use personal protective and other safety equipment.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; use hands and fingers to grasp; and feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  

Environment: Office environment.  Frequently works in or around areas with minor amounts of dust.  Some work done on ladders up to 4 feet above ground.  Noise level is usually quiet.