This position requires a bachelor’s degree, with a concentration in accounting from an accredited college or university. The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible accounting experience with emphasis in modified and full accrual accounting concepts. Other relevant combinations of education and work experience may be evaluated on an individual basis.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related to this Position: - Knowledge of: The principles, methods, and practices of cash, modified accrual and full accrual accounting; Proper financial internal controls and review and implementation thereof; Modern office practices and procedures and of standard office and computer equipment & programs; The approved principles and standard practices of generally accepted accounting and reporting (GAAP), and the ability to apply them; preferrable knowledge of government accounting standards (GASB) Intermediate or Advanced use of Microsoft Excel; Research methods and techniques and ability to implement accounting standards; Skill or ability to: Independently analyze complex accounting concepts and problems and propose solutions Ability to research and apply Governmental Accounting Standards’ Board statements and federal and state financial reporting regulations; Ability to research and apply City, State, and Federal laws, rules, policies, procedures and applicable methods for compliance; Create, maintain and make use of complex Excel spreadsheets used in the accounting, financial reporting, and audit processes; Communicate effectively both orally and in writing on a frequent basis with supervisor and other personnel to ensure department operations are carried out efficiently; Ability to follow direction and work independently without detailed written instructions; Assist and train staff in work procedures; Analyze, review balances, interpret and reconcile financial reports and accounting transactions; Maintain and recommend proper internal controls and perform city-wide compliance testing; Prepare complex financial reports, statements, audit reports and work papers; Apply independent judgment in performing difficult and complex tasks; Examine, interpret and verify a wide variety of financial documents and reports; Monitor, implement and recommend changes for internal controls; Make correct mathematical and statistical calculations; Establish and maintain effective, professional working relationship with employees, department heads, elected officials and the public; Prepare reports in a complete, accurate and timely manner with attention to detail; Establish sound priorities on work assignments so as to assure an orderly and timely workflow for financial systems throughout the City; Keep abreast of new and improved financial and other special reporting methods; ability to interpret and implement GAAP and GASB Standards Maintain the highest degree and integrity when handling confidential data. License and/or Certificate Requirements Must possess a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record at the time of hire and have the ability to obtain a valid MT driver’s license within six months of hire. CPA license or candidate preferred.
This position is responsible for assisting the City Controller with daily, monthly and annual accounting tasks that are in conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB). In addition, assists with the implementation of new GASB Standards, and the preparation the City of Helena’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report; Maintains the city’s fixed asset accounting; and assists with the annual audit. Provides highly responsible and complex accounting, fiscal and technical support to the Controller, Finance Director and other Finance staff.
Essential Duties
These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties the incumbent may be assigned.
30% Audited Annual Financial Report Preparation
Under the direction of the City Controller, the Accountant is responsible for assisting with the preparation of the City’s annual financial report and audit with content and form necessary to receive the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers’ Association. The ACFR preparation involves many detailed and complex modified and full accrual accounting processes and financial statements for over 100 funds completed in coordination with all departments to include reviewing accounting records for accuracy and completeness, preparing year-end adjusting journal entries, reconciling debt service schedules, reconciling loans receivable, collecting and presenting statistical data, and preparing and reconciling city-wide local, state and federal awards.
40% Accounting
Responsible for reconciling and recording capital acquisitions and disposals using information from other departments; maintains fixed asset records for depreciation calculations in the accounting records and reports accurate fixed asset records.
Review and reconcile accounting transactions; prepares adjusting journal entries as needed; provides information for monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting.
Reconciles balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis.
Completes the monthly bank reconciliation.
Assists in the City’s annual external audit and assists the City Controller and Finance Director with the City’s internal audit program.
30% Other Duties
This position may assist other Accounting Staff with related functions; may assist in preparation of the City’s annual budget through the preparation of specific workpapers; assists with training other accounting staff and reviews each payroll cycle and related processes and payments for accuracy before processing; trains to act as backup to other Accounting Staff in their absence, including payroll.
In addition, this position assists in the improvement and maintenance of the accounting systems and record keeping for the City in compliance with statutory provisions under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
Work Schedule
Days of the week: __Sun _x_Mon _x_Tues _x_Wed _x_Thurs _x_Fri __Sat
Hours of work: 7am-6pm (Flexible schedule)