Accountant I/Ii

Salary : $72,856.97 - $98,231.13 Annually

Location : El Monte, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 202400037

Department: Finance

Opening Date: 09/11/2024

Closing Date: 10/6/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Max Number of Applicants: 75

Summary CLOSING DATE

Recruitment will close on October 6, 2024 or until 75 applications have been received. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision (Accountant I) or direction (Accountant II), performs a variety of professional accounting duties, including auditing, analyzing, and verifying fiscal records and reports, preparing financial and statistical reports, providing information to City staff regarding accounting practices and procedures, and reconciling general ledger accounts; assists in preparing the City's annual budgets; prepares accounting reports and schedules; and performs related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision (Accountant I) or direction (Accountant II) from the Accounting Manager and/or the Finance Manager. Exercises no direct supervision over staff (Accountant I). Occasionally exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff (Accountant II).

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Accountant I: This is the entry-level classification in the Accountant Series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine professional accounting duties. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Accountant II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Accountant II: This is the fully qualified journey-level classification in the Accountant series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Accountant I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Accountant in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series, such as providing staff support at an advanced level and/or routinely providing technical and functional direction over lower-level staff.

Positions in the Accountant class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the Accountant II level are normally filled by advancement from the Accountant I level; progression to the Accountant II level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the Accountant II level.

Essential Functions / Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Positions at the Accountant I level may perform some of these duties and responsibilities in a learning capacity.
Performs a variety of professional tasks in support of the City's accounting programs; areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing and reporting, grant funding and reporting, general accounting, budget development, business licenses and utility billing. Prepares journal entries and reconciles general ledger and subsidiary accounts related to postings from payroll, accounts payable, cash receipts, and accounts receivable; prepares monthly financial statements, including distributing monthly revenue and expenditure reports to departments; prepares numerous monthly financial reports. Analyzes and processes workers compensation, payroll and risk management transactions; prepares reports and schedules as needed. Reconciles and balances a diverse range of bank statements and related fiscal documentation. Records and maintains appropriate controls for fixed assets, assists in the City's purchase orders and accounts payable system, auditing and financial analysis, grant accounting, and special reports. Reviews accuracy of invoice payments to vendors and service providers and resolves issues with vendors regarding purchase orders, invoices and payments. Participates in the preparation, processing, and/or review of the full payroll cycle of tasks and activities, including a variety of payroll reports, income tax tables, forms, and reports, personnel forms, and timekeeping data; serves as the primary backup to the Payroll Clerk/Account Clerk for full payroll cycle processing when assigned. Assists in the implementation of changes or updates to the City's financial, payroll, and timekeeping software systems and related applications, including annual and periodic changes to employee salary and benefit rates and tables. Receives, investigates, and responds to confidential and time-sensitive inquiries and complaints related to payroll processing in a professional manner; reports findings and recommends corrective actions. Prepares year-end fixed asset schedules; maintains and records fixed asset inventory into fiscal management system; generates depreciation and post disposals/transfers; submit reports and spreadsheets to auditors. Maintains and monitors the City's grant funds and ensures compliance with rules and regulations governing the use of each grant. Assists in the coordination of the annual audits. Prepares a wide variety of financial and statistical reports, including year-end reporting, budgetary reports, assists in the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR). Reviews accounting and financial documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations and makes correcting entries. Monitors legislative, regulatory, and technological requirements, changes, and updates, as well as workplace rules and practices applicable to assigned accounting program areas and functions; participates in the identification and implementation of new or updated departmental policies and procedures. Conducts a variety of analytical and operational studies regarding departmental activities including financial, operational, or administrative issues; evaluate alternatives, make recommendations, assists with implementation of procedures. Tracks property tax payments; ensures that property tax bills are remitted to the proper City departments for payment authorization. Participates in the compilation and preparation of the annual budget, including assisting other departments with budget preparation, providing personnel cost projections and estimated grant revenues and expenditures, monitoring expenditures to ensure compliance with adopted budget, and assisting in publication of the budget. Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS

Positions at the Accountant I level may exercise some of these knowledge and abilities statements in a learning capacity.

Knowledge of: Modern principles, practices, and methods of public and governmental accounting and financing, including program budgeting, general accounting, and auditing and their application to municipal operations. General principles and practices of data processing and its applicability to accounting and municipal operations. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Principles and practices of fund accounting. Principles and practices of municipal budget development and monitoring. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed. Ability to:Review, analyze, record and document a diverse range of financial transactions. Perform general ledger duties. Audit, reconcile and balance bank statements. Audit and verify financial transactions. Analyze and monitor grant funding program financial transactions and ensure compliance with funding requirements. Analyze financial data and draw sound conclusions. Prepare clear, complete, and concise financial statements and statistical reports. Make accurate arithmetic, financial, payroll, and statistical computations. Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy. Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems. Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed. Interpret, analyze, and implement complex salary and benefit provisions in applicable governing documents, including the City's classification and compensation plan, bargaining unit MOUs, and at-will employment contracts. Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments. Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Accountant I/II: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or a related field.

Accountant I: One (1) year of professional accounting program experience.

Accountant II: Three (3) years of professional accounting program experience.

Licenses and Certifications:None. Additional Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIROMENTAL CONDITIONs

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

E-Verify: The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility newly hired employees in the United States.

Please see the webpage for

01

Do you possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or a related field? Yes No

02

Do you have three (3) years of professional accounting program experience? Yes No

03

Do you have one (1) year of professional accounting program experience? Yes No

Required Question