Accountant in Mount Vernon, Washington

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, performs a variety of professional accounting duties to include maintaining, balancing, and posting financial data, developing financial records and reports, and completing control activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS — Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.  This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in the preparation of detailed, complex financial accounting reports and statements.
• Perform routine and complex reconciliation of accounts and subsidiary ledgers; verify and test financial data; conduct variance analysis.
• Interpret Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB), Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) Statements, legislative and/or administrative actions, and/or provide assistance of the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
• Prepares, reviews, and posts business activities to the general ledger to include journal entries, cash receipts, and accounts receivable payments.
• Researches and troubleshoots accounting and computer system issues; provides recommendations regarding procedural and policy updates.
• Completes monthly reconciliations of multiple bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts; prepares and retrieves related reports as needed.
• Participates in audit preparation by completing a variety of tasks to include, gathering data and supporting documentation, preparing reports and municipal financial statements, and processing and correcting journal entries; responds to auditor requests.
• Provides back-up and assists with completing payroll related tasks as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field AND three (3) years of progressively responsible  governmental accounting experience which includes two years’ preparing and analyzing Financial Statements; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• General office policies, procedures, and equipment.
• Customer service principles, practices, and etiquette.
• Records maintenance and retention policies and procedures.
• Auditing practices, procedures, and standards.
• Generally accepted accounting and auditing principles.
• Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
• Public Sector accounting and budgeting procedures.

* Skill in:*

Maintaining accurate records and filing systems.

Interacting tactfully and professionally with City staff, outside agencies, and the public.

Organizing and prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines.

Completing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Performing accurate mathematic calculations.

Typing and entering data with speed and accuracy.

Preparing clear and concise communications, reports, and technical documents.

Analyzing complex issues and implementing appropriate responses.