Job Description
Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY :
Reporting to and under the direct supervision of the Accounting Manager, the Senior Accountant is responsible for performing highly specialized and complex accounting work. Ensures compliance with accounting principles, regulations, and internal controls. The Senior Accountant reviews and performs daily activities to ensure accurate and timely reconciliation and reporting of all financial data. Serves as primary contact to staff for questions, assistance, and training. Assists with and prepares audit and financial reports and contributes with implementing accounting pronouncements, policies, and procedures.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES :
- Assists with daily accounting activities required to maintain the Authority’s general ledger.
- Reviews the work of the accounting staff (including, but not limited to, cash reconciliations, accounts receivable transactions, accounts payable transactions, debt activity, recording of revenue and expenses, etc.).
- Reviews and approves weekly check runs, prints checks, and posts to general ledger.
- Reviews, tracks, and approves purchase requisitions.
- Completes monthly cash reconciliations.
- Prepares journal entries and approves journal entries prepared by others.
- Trains and assists personnel as necessary in all aspects of accounting.
- Serves as backup to other Accountants.
- Maintains organized set of detailed records and files to document financial transactions.
- Assists in the preparation of documents and required information for the Audit.
- Resolves complex accounting issues and assists other Authority personnel in resolving accounting and procedural questions.
- Provides budgetary consultation to departments and responds to inquiries.
- Reviews general ledger on a monthly basis to ensure accuracy of posting.
- Initiates monthly cash transfers between authority bank accounts.
- Reviews monthly, quarterly, and annual closing activities.
- Detects possible weaknesses in internal controls or standard accounting procedures and makes recommendations to strengthen controls and efficiency.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES :
Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB).Experience with governmental / non-profit accounting principles and procedures.Ability to perform complex accounting and budgetary work involved in preparing, analyzing, reconciling and maintaining financial records and reports.Knowledge of methods, procedures, and terminology used in professional accounting.Understanding of fixed assets and capital expenditures.Knowledge of principles and practices of financial and statistical recordkeeping.Ability to work independently, with little supervision.Knowledge of budget preparation and monitoring.Understanding of procurement processes.Knowledge of and ability to explain financial rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.Knowledge and ability in the use of Microsoft products, including strong understanding of Excel and Adobe.Ability to effectively use a modern automated financial management system.Strong organizational skills.Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.Must meet schedules and timelines, and have the ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment and to react with discretion under varying conditions.Ability to establish and maintain effective and appropriate relationships with the public and other authority employees.EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS :
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting with at least five years of experience in the area of financial statement preparation, budgeting, payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, and accounts receivable, or the equivalent. Experience working with an automated financial management system. Government experience preferred.
OTHER :
Must show proof of Allegheny County residency at time of employment and maintain residency throughout employment.