Staff Accountant
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Salary Range: $30.79 - $37.42 / hour
$64,043.20 - $77,833.60 / year
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DESCRIPTION:
Under general direction of the Finance Manager, performs a variety of difficult and complex professional accounting duties related to preparing financial statement, reviewing fiscal records, monitoring financial transactions, including payroll processing. This is an exempt position.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Staff Accountant is a journey level professional classification, which works with minimal supervision and performs tasks independently with general guidance provided by the Accounting Supervisor. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new, unusual or unique situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Work is performed within a broad framework of general policy, and requires creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish goals and objectives. All work is expected to be carried out in an ethical, accurate, secure, timely and confidential manner.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Perform professional accounting work in accordance with prescribed accounting systems, utility accounting and generally accepted accounting principles.
- Develop, review and verify accounting transactions, financial reports and statements to source information for accuracy, consistency and presentation format.
- Maintain capital improvement project accounting records including monitoring project cost to budget amounts.
- Financially administer contract records, projects, grants and similar activities.
- Prepare, review or amend various financial documents and records including journal entries, invoices, payroll warrants, monthly and year-end accruals and other accounting information for accuracy, appropriate account coding and compliance with policies.
- Research and analyze transactions to resolve problems
- Recommend or implement changes in accounting procedures.
- Research and answer questions and provide information to the public and Agency departments.
- Monitor and record budget and fund transfers.
- Conduct special studies and analyses as assigned.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other Agency employees and the public using principles of good customer services.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
- Provides administrative support to management in the areas of human resources, budget, purchasing, compliance, operations, maintenance, technology, and management functions.
- Serves as a bridge between Agency-wide functions and locations in communicating and clarifying policies and procedures to assure consistency and efficiency in application.
- Perform a variety of complex accounting duties in the preparation, processing, and maintenance of payroll, salary, and benefit calculations
- Review timesheets for days/hours worked, and calculate and record salary adjustments as necessary.
- Prepare various payroll and management reports, journal entries, workers compensation and reconcile applicable liability accounts at least quarterly.
- Review computed wages and correct errors to ensure the accuracy of earnings. Ensure that all changes to payroll are processed correctly with proper approvals.
- Process all garnishments, deductions, and audit vacation/sick accruals.
- Work closely with Human Resources and Accounting on all payroll related issues
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Principles of financial administration, including public budgeting, financial forecasting, and financial analysis.
- Accounting, auditing and budgeting principles and practices.
- Governmental accounting principles and financial reporting practices.
- Contract administration principles and procedures.
- Basic data processing applications for accounting functions.
- Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations, especially related to accounting and auditing.
- Development and maintenance of fiscal controls.
- Principles and practices of customer services.
- Principles of business writing and technical documentation.
- Strong understanding of accounting fundamentals and payroll best practices
SKILLED IN:
- Maintaining sensitive and confidential information in the course of supporting Agency business technology and information systems, including experience working with payroll software such as ADP.
- Change management.
- Resolving problems and situations in the workplace.
- Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up assignments with a minimum of direction.
- Maintaining accurate records and files.
- Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
ABILITY TO:
- Independently apply accounting principles to the maintenance and reporting of financial accounting transactions.
- Exercise high-level analytical skills.
- Examine and verify complex journals, ledgers, financial documents and reports.
- Prepare clear and concise written correspondence and reports.
- Operate a computer using word processing, business software and other office equipment, including financial information systems.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting with some travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dirt, dust, traffic, electrical energy, and high voltage; may work irregular hours; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; frequent opportunity and requirements to interact with the general public and property owners, contractors, suppliers and state, federal, county and other public agencies.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting and in a field environment; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations; to operate equipment and vehicles; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
The minimum and preferred requirements are listed below. While the following requirements outline the minimum qualifications the Agency reserves the right to select applicants for further consideration who demonstrate the best qualifications match for the job. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee further participation in the selection process.
Education/Training:
Equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or similar field. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may substitute for the listed qualifications.
Experience:
Three years of progressively responsible experience in a business or public agency environment.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
POST OFFER/PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL:
Employment is subject to passing a physical examination, including a drug test. May be subject to a pre-employment background check.