Accountant I, (B231910-1), R33, Accounting

Maintains City fiscal records and systems as assigned by the supervisor. Prepares, maintains, and balances financial transactions in one or more functional areas, subsystems, or funds; in addition, accomplishes other special projects as needed. Prepares or assists in the preparation of complex fiscal and statistical statements, analysis, and reports.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of general accepted accounting principles, practices, procedures, and applications of a variety of accounting transactions and problems.
• Knowledge of general office procedures, practices, systems, and equipment as applied to financial operations.
• Knowledge of financial data bases and relevant computer applications.
• Ability to operate a personal computer, typewriter, and calculator as needed.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate accounting problems and to discern those requiring policy determinations by supervisor(s).
• Ability to prepare financial reports and statements in accordance with predetermination requirements.
• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to use computer hardware, various software programs and technologies, including word processing and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to speak before public groups and make presentations.
• Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
• Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
• Ability to perform strenuous and routine work.
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees and respond to general public complaints.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed inside an office. Capable of working closely with others or alone. Ability to operate office equipment; Work requires light carrying and lifting (under 15 pounds up to 24 pounds), straight pulling, simple grasping, sitting, climbing stairs, walking, and reaching above shoulders. Ability to see, write, read, count, and hearing is needed to perform the essential functions of this job.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Maintains accurate and current financial records for several assigned City funds, which include recording daily transactions, journal entries, and monitoring all transactions for accurate recordings; assures City funds are appropriately accounted for and utilized.
• Balances and reconciles assigned accounts; analyzes accounts and entries; takes appropriate actions to correct errors; prepares internal financial reports on a monthly and quarterly basis, including revenue and expenditure reports, budget to actual comparisons, and balance sheets.
• Prepares monthly billings for appropriate funds; completes accurate forms utilizing proper procedures and assures timeliness of billings.
• Prepares State, Federal, and other reports required for specific funds; prepares requests for reimbursement of expenditures (when appropriate) incurred by certain funds; attaches appropriate documentation to support requests to State and Federal agencies.
• Assures all debt service payments are made on a timely basis for all outstanding bonds, which have been sold/issued by the City. Assists in preparing City's annual operating budget.
• May perform clerical accounting duties, such as: recording payments received, recording new loans, making appropriate adjustments to the general ledger, tallying receipts, etc.
• Assists with the annual audit of the City, which is conducted by an independent auditor; prepares all documentation for account balances of the funds assigned.
• Assists in the preparation of the comprehensive annual financial report.
• Prepares budget appropriations when needed and reviews those prepared by other departments for specific funds; verifies budget allocations to requests for payments.
• Makes code payments to third party contracts with the City, assuring expenditures incurred are reimbursed by the City through a billing process.
• Monitors fixed assets currently operated by government funds; reviews all capital outlay accounts; verifies that all expenses made are accurately classified as fixed assets; prepares appropriate and complete forms; assigns tag numbers, tag items, and prepares entries for every department in the fixed assets account group.
• May maintain records for capital projects, including contracts, change orders, invoices, and other pertinent information to each project; monitors budget availability for all capital projects on a daily basis; reviews and codes all contractor payments.
• Produces relevant accounting and fiscal reports which assist in meeting the fiscal objectives of the City; may also be assigned to special projects as needed to better maintain the general accounting and fiscal reporting activities of the City.
• Assists in maintaining good communication between staff, visitors, and other business contacts.
• Must follow all rules of telephone courtesy in all telephone communications.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Applicants must meet one (1) of the following 2 options to meet the minimum qualifications for this position:

Option 1
Bachelor's degree with a major in Accounting from an accredited* college or university.

Option 2 

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from an accredited* college or university.

-AND-

At least one (1) year of accounting experience.

 
*Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)        Valid Texas Driver License*
*If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained prior to employment.

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.

Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7482 two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.