Financial Accountant

JOB SUMMARY

Under general direction, assists in performing financial accounting functions according to established procedures and regulations associated with municipality and fund accounting, performing related work as required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

1. Ability to assist with internal and external audits by researching, analyzing and preparing various schedules, closing entries, and financial statements for the City of Arlington's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

2. Ability to reconcile general ledger accounts; working capital; water, sewer / street assessments and bank statements by researching, analyzing and correcting accounts for the financial reports.

3. Ability to communicate with the public and other city departments to answer questions; gather information; access, input and retrieve information from the financial management system;

and provide technical support and guidance to accounting, audit, and budget personnel.

4. Ability to identify appropriate accounts, assign accounting distribution codes and prepare adjusting journal entriesto properly record activity in general ledger accounts;

includes preparation of year-end accruals, performing trial balance research and preparation of numerous memos and schedules in preparation for year-end close.

5. Ability to study technical accounting pronouncements and apply those applicable to reconciliation's and adjustments necessary to correctly record general ledger accounts.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS :

6. Ability to review and approve accounts payable documents.

7. Ability to prepare 1099 documents, 1099 reporting documents, and act as the city's representative in answering questions from recipients or the IRS.

8. Ability to encumber funds from council minutes and departmental requests and monitor encumbrance and retainage accounts.

9. Ability to work with city's depository bank to prepare STOP PAYMENT entries and VOID checks, update Warrant Reconciliation table in the financial system;

including ability to process returned checks, including accounting, safekeeping and collection procedures.

10. Ability to review City Secretary receipts for proper accounting distribution and have these receipts entered into the financial system.

11. Ability to prepare monthly state sales tax returns, quarterly court tax returns, and quarterly excise tax returns.

12. Ability to send invoices and monitor the correct posting of payments.

13. Ability to assist and review daily setting of report parameters in the Advantage financial systems.

14. Ability to determine the accuracy of system reports and to distribute them when needed.

15. Ability to review and approve wire transfers for the Cash and Debt Manager.

16. Ability to prepare detailed reports to the state for unclaimed property (escheat) and research accounting records for refunds.

17. Ability to assist in other activities and special projects as needed or directed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required :

Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting and auditing, including GAAP, GASB, FASB, and governmentalfinance.

Knowledge of municipal accounting and principles of public finance administration.

Knowledge of budgetary development and controls.

Knowledge of modern office methods, procedures and equipment including computerized accounting systems.

Knowledge of continuous process improvement techniques and practices.

Skill in communicating ideas to all types of individuals orally and in writing.

Skill in reasoning abstractly using quantitative concepts and symbols.

Skill in performing complex statistical and bookkeeping activities and maintaining detailed records of that work.

Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including but not limited to a PC, calculator, and telephone.

Ability to research, analyze, and prepare statistical statements and reports.

Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications and to make fine discriminations in sound.

Ability to identify, evaluate, and respond to situations or problems in a timely manner.

Ability to perform a variety of physical skills including but not limited to grasping, holding items, seeing, sitting, sorting and reaching.

Qualifying Education and Experience :

A Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business with an accounting emphasis. Three years related experience.