Accountant I

Under the supervision of the Accounting Manager, the employee serves as the professional accountant for the City of Fairhope. The employee performs accounting functions and procedures in conjunction with the Treasurer and Accounting Manager. Employee contributes to reports, maintains accurate records, processes accounts, establishes value of assets, and ensures established processes and procedures are followed. The accountant assembles and analyzes data for compilation of reports. This is a responsible job with good judgement and knowledgeable approaches being essential. This job is considered security-sensitive and is subject to a pre-employment background check. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following list was developed through a job analysis; however, it is not exhaustive and other duties may be required and assigned. A person with a disability which is covered by the ADA must be able to perform the essential functions of the job unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Accounting Functions. The employee is employed as a professional accountant to perform financial and accounting duties on behalf of the City of Fairhope.

1. Performs work activities as coordinated and specified by the Treasurer and Accounting Manager.
2. Audits receipts by reviewing the daily cash logs from the Revenue Clerks, the Nix Center, the Golf Course, and the Public Pool.
3. Generates and analyzes monthly internal financial statements for all departments.
4. Collects data and completes E-4 survey, workers compensation audit, and any other federal- or state-mandated surveys or inquiries.
5. Reviews purchases and coding of items.
6. Posts data, and updates information to accounts.
7. Processes Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) files online.
8. Reconciles additions and deletions of Citys assets with insurance billing.
9. Reconciles bank balances to the General Ledger; reconciles accounts to General Ledger balance.
10. Enters and records journal entries and posts to the General Ledger balance.
11. Records corrections to General Ledger, as required.
12. Reviews, verifies and records transfers between departments and funds.
13. Reviews and records monthly interests received on bank statements.
14. Reconciles debt service and reserves related bank account balances as assigned.
15. Assists other departments with budget balances and questions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Asset Management. Documents and identifies the Citys Assets. Establishes value and depreciation.

1. Manages assets and associated records for the City system and services.
2. Maintains assets and asset insurance lists.
3. Reviews and records depreciation entries.
4. Reviews documents associated with all purchases and inventory.
5. Inventories equipment and assets periodically.
6. Establishes and documents depreciation.
7. Conducts research to assist in analyzing financial impacts.
8. Conducts and performs research for valuation information on assets.
9. Assists with adequate insurance coverage.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Fiscal Reporting and Record Keeping. Generates, assembles, and analyzes financial data to aid in sound fiscal practices, and comply with City policies, procedures, and guidelines, and adhere to best practices.

1. Assists the Treasurer and Accounting Manager with reports; provides financial information and data.
2. Assists with reports summarizing employee benefits (e.g., insurance) workmans comp and associated costs.
3. Assists with submitting monthly financial and accounting reports; summarizes monthly expenditures and balances.
4. Assists with the development and submittal of monthly operational reports.
5. Assists with the preparation, reviews and issuing of monthly financial statements.
6. Develops and analyzes reports regarding taxes.
7. Assists with budget preparations for the City; works with Department Heads to define objectives and goals.
8. Assists with all financial statements on behalf of the City; publishes yearly.
9. Prepares necessary documentation for auditors.
10. Serves as a financial resource and source of advice to all departments within the City.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Departmental Operations. Provides assistance and support to aid in efficient and effective operations.

1. Acts as a source of information; responds to citizens and employees questions and requests in a timely, courteous, and professional manner.
2. Attends conferences, training sessions, and workshops for professional development.
3. Attends meetings to obtain information or assist with the conveyance or dissemination of information.
4. Reviews professional publications and journals to remain current on the principles and practices of governmental accounting.
5. Maintains files and records of the Treasury Department.
6. Provides professional assistance to the Accounting Manager and the Treasurer.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Serves as a Notary Public, if applicable.
2. Performs other job-related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possess a bachelors degree in accounting from an accredited college or university.
2. Minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in accounting; professional work experience within a governmental entity is preferred.
3. Possess a current and valid drivers license; must be insurable.
4. Ability to be bonded and maintain bonded status.
5. Ability to drive to participate in training and continuing education.
6. Ability to pass a pre-employment background check.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(* Can be acquired on the job)

1. *Knowledge of City rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
2. *Knowledge of federal, state and municipal laws, statues, ordinances, regulations, and policies as they apply to finance administration and accounting statutes and laws.
3. Knowledge of Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.
4. Knowledge of investment fund management, bond sales, utility accounting, budgeting, and municipal debt administration.
5. Knowledge of modern accounting practices and procedures.
6. Knowledge of municipal finance administration, cost accounting principles and practices and investment theory.
7. Knowledge of accounting principles, theories, and methods.
8. Knowledge of budgeting, fund accounting, and financial reporting.
9. Knowledge and understanding of legal terms and contracts.
10. Knowledge of professional accounting functions and automated systems.
11. Knowledge of budget preparation and financial management.
12. Knowledge of principles of management and the ability to apply them.
13. Reading skills to comprehend manuals, directives, procedures, and instructions.
14. Verbal skills to communicate effectively with department heads and the board. Ability to make presentations.
15. Writing skills to clearly and concisely revise, update, and develop policies, procedures, produce technical reports, and other technical writing, forms, and records, and to prepare financial management policies and procedures.
16. Math skills to perform advanced calculations, to prepare/interpret and develop technical reports, interpret financial documents, and to prepare and assess data and projections.
17. Public relation skills to work with general public, state, and federal agencies, and to coordinate with officials.
18. Skills to use computers and specialized software, including spreadsheets.
19. Skills to consider multiple sources, options, opportunities, and implications regarding impacts on the City prior to making decisions.
20. Ability to effectively communicate in order to provide information, advice, and assistance.
21. Ability to perform work requiring the highest level of detail and accuracy.
22. Ability to assimilate large amounts of data, related or unrelated, and make relevant conclusions.
23. Ability to analyze, interpret, and report research findings, recommendations, and actions on complex financial, governmental and economic data.
24. Ability to write with technical accuracy to maintain records and write reports.
25. Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable financial and narrative reports.
26. Ability to process and maintain highly confidential information.
27. Ability to make sound decisions and maintain emotional control and stability while handling stressful and potentially volatile situations.
28. Ability to work effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds, abilities, outlooks, ages, and nationalities.
29. Ability to understand legal terms and contracts.
30. Ability to work independently and with little or no supervision.
31. Ability to multi-task.
32. Ability to comprehend and complete multiple instructions.
33. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
34. Ability to use computers and office productivity software.
35. Ability to use modern office methods, techniques, and equipment.
36. Ability to use multi-line telephones.
37. Ability to deal with the general public in a courteous and helpful manner.
38. Ability and willingness to grow professionally through personal professional improvement programs and formal educational experiences.
39. Ability to assemble and analyze data.
40. Ability to establish priorities and action plans.
41. Ability to conduct research by using computers and other methods.
42. Ability to maintain confidential information.
43. Ability to consistently represent City in a positive, professional manner.
44. Ability to establish and work according to priorities; ability to perform work accurately, with attention to detail, and within time constraints.
45. Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and carry out work, engaging the work of others in a productive and effective manner.
46. Ability to solve problems and effectively address issues.
47. Ability to coordinate and collaborate work with others to accomplish established goals and projects.
48. Ability to drive.

Physical Demands
The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Work Environment
The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, etc. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.