Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Position: Accountant

Department: Finance Department

Employment Status: Permanent - Full-Time - Non-Exempt

Schedule: Monday through Thursday 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Compensation: Grade 5; salary range begins at $19.59/hour

POSITION INTRODUCTION

This role is essential in maintaining the integrity of our financial records and ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for local governments. This individual will perform general ledger accounting functions, reconcile account balances, prepare and post approved journal entries, and serve as a backup to the Accounts Payable Clerk.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - KNOWLEDGE – SKILLS - ABILITIES

• General Ledger Accounting: Perform general ledger accounting functions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP.
• Debt Schedules: Maintain and update comprehensive debt schedules for all bonds, notes, and other forms of debt. Ensure accurate recording and tracking of debt transactions in the financial system. Monitor debt service payments and ensure timely payments are made. Prepare detailed reports on debt status, including principal and interest payments, for management review. Assist in the preparation of debt-related disclosures and compliance reports. Collaborate with the Finance team to support debt issuance and refinancing activities. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and accounting standards.
• Reconciliation of Debt Schedules: Reconcile all City debt schedules for all bonds, notes, and other forms of debt to the general ledger and statements on a monthly basis.
• Accounting for Investments: Perform the accounting for all City investment accounts into the general ledger on a monthly basis, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP. This includes the investment accounts for all operating funds, Pension funds, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) investment accounts.
• Investment Reconciliations: Reconcile all City investment accounts per the general ledger to investment statements monthly. This includes the investment accounts for all operating funds, Pension funds, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) investment accounts.
• Bank Reconciliations: Reconcile all City bank account balances per the general ledger to bank statements monthly.
• Other Account Balance Schedules: Maintain and update comprehensive schedules for all receivables, payables, and other balance sheet accounts for each fund. Ensure accurate recording and tracking of balances in the financial system. Prepare detailed reports on account balances on a monthly basis for management review.
• Other Account Reconciliation: Reconcile all balance sheet account balances per the general ledger to the account balance schedules and source documents on a monthly basis (i.e. accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll liabilities, etc.).
• Accounting and Reporting for TIFs: Perform the monthly accounting for all City Tax Increment Financing (TIF) entries in the general ledger, ensuring accuracy and GAAP compliance. Prepare and submit all required reports and compliance documents for each TIF accurately and promptly for review and approval by the Director of Finance.
• Payroll Expenditures: Regularly compare and verify accuracy of all payroll and pension related entries transferred into the general ledger from Paylocity (the comprehensive payroll and human resources information system (HRIS)). Prepare any necessary adjusting journal entries to correct payroll postings in the general ledger and obtain approval before posting.
• Journal Entries: Prepare all routine and non-routine journal entries for approval; posting all approved journal entries into the general ledger and reviewing for accuracy.
• Audit Support: Prepare, maintain, and update all supporting schedules and workpapers for the City’s annual audits with external independent auditors, the WV State Auditor’s Office, and Federal auditors to ensure timely and accurate audit processes. Ensure all audit documentation complies with relevant regulations and standards. Assist in the preparation of financial statements and disclosures required for audits. Respond to audit inquiries and provide necessary documentation and explanations. Maintain organized and accessible audit files for future reference.
• Accounting for Federal Grant Award Expenditures: Prepare, maintain, and update the City’s Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for both direct and passthrough awards on a monthly basis. Collaborate with various departments to gather necessary data to include all Federal grant awards and specific grant information such as the awarding agency, amount and details of the award, details on reporting and compliance requirements, CFDA numbers and State grant passthrough award numbers in the SEFA.
• Accounting for State Grant Awards: Prepare , maintain, and update the City’s Schedule of State Grant Receipts and Expenditures on a monthly basis. Collaborate with various departments to gather necessary data to include all State grant awards and specific grant information such as the awarding agency, amount and details of the award, details on reporting and compliance requirements, and State grant identification numbers
• Financial Reporting: Assist in the preparation of accurate and timely month-end and annual financial reports for each fund. Ensure all financial data is compiled and reported in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Collaborate with various departments to gather necessary financial information. Review and reconcile financial data to ensure accuracy and completeness. Respond to inquiries and provide explanations regarding financial reports. Post any adjustments necessary based on the Finance Director’s review.
• Fixed Assets and Depreciation: Prepare, maintain, and update the City’s Schedule of Fixed Assets in the Finance Department’s Financial Accounting system. Ensure accurate recording and tracking of all fixed asset acquisitions, disposals, and transfers. Calculate and record depreciation expense for all fixed assets on the straight-line method in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Conduct periodic physical inventories of fixed assets and reconcile with the general ledger. Prepare detailed reports on fixed assets and depreciation for management review. Assist in the preparation of financial statements and disclosures related to fixed assets and depreciation. Respond to inquiries from auditors and provide necessary documentation and explanations.
• Capital Leases: Prepare, maintain, and update the City’s accounting schedules and disclosures for capital leases in accordance with GASB Statement 87 (and subsequent GASB revisions, pronouncements, and statements). Ensure accurate recording and tracking of all capital lease transactions. Reconcile general ledger balances related to capital leases on a monthly basis. Collaborate with relevant departments to gather necessary data and ensure compliance with GASB 87 requirements. Assist in the preparation of financial statements and disclosures related to capital leases. Respond to inquiries from auditors and provide necessary documentation and explanations.
• Backup Support: Serve as the backup to the Accounts Payable Clerk.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Finance Department.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position primarily requires on-site work at the office, with occasional remote work permitted upon prior written approval.
• Comfortable carrying equipment up to 20 lbs.
• Frequent requirement to sit, stand, kneel, walk, talk, and listen to instructions.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

• Office setting with frequent use of technology and equipment.

CONTACT & SUPERVISION

• Position involves frequent internal and external contact with the public.
• This position does not supervise any employees.
• Reports directly to the Finance Director and the Assistant Finance Director

The City of Morgantown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

· Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with at least twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting

· Master's Degree in accounting may substitute for experience

Certification/License:

· A current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed by the State of West Virginia may be substituted for experience

Experience:

· Two years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in governmental accounting

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of GAAP for local governments and proficiency in using a Windows-based computer.

· Software Skills: Proficiency in, or willingness to learn, software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

· Creativity and Innovation: Ability to think creatively and bring innovative solutions to tasks.

· Agility: Adaptability to function well in a fast-paced environment.

· Positive Attitude: A proactive and positive approach to learning and tasks.

· Analytical Skills: Ability to prepare accurate accounting entries and adjustments, perform mathematical computations accurately and quickly, and analyze and interpret accounting records.

· Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

· Judgment: Use sound technical judgment in determining the accuracy and completeness of financial information obtained.

· Interpersonal Skills: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

· Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality

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