Accountant I

Under the general supervision of the Accounting Manager, the Accountant I – Public Assets and Grants performs professional accounting work related to the City’s capital assets, grants accounting, financial reporting, and general accounting functions. This position is responsible for maintaining accurate accounting records for public assets, administering grant financial activities, ensuring compliance with federal and state grant requirements, preparing financial reports, and supporting the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Single Audit(s). The Accountant I serves as a resource to City departments regarding grant administration, capital asset accounting and governmental accounting practices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Accountant I – Public Assets and Grants may perform some or all the following duties, including additional duties as assigned.

General Duties

• Maintain the City's capital asset records in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
• Record acquisitions, transfers, disposals, depreciation, and capitalization of infrastructure, buildings, equipment, vehicles, and other public assets.
• Reconcile capital asset records with the general ledger and prepare supporting schedules for annual financial reporting.
• Assist departments with capital project accounting and project closeout.
• Coordinate and maintain the City's capital asset inventory and support periodic physical inventories.
• Establish and maintain grant accounts within the City's financial system.
• Monitor grant revenues and expenditures to ensure compliance with grant agreements and budget requirements.
• Reconcile grant reimbursement requests and ensure reimbursements are received from the granting agencies.
• Monitor grant reimbursement requests, financial reports, and drawdowns for federal, state, and local grant programs to ensure timely reporting.
• Review grant expenditures for compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), grant agreements, and applicable regulations.
• Assist departments with grant budget amendments and financial reporting requirements.
• Prepare and maintain documentation supporting the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and assist with the City's annual Single Audit.
• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting documentation for month-end and year-end close.
• Assist in preparing schedules and supporting documentation for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Analyze financial data and prepare reports for management, auditors, and external agencies.
• Research accounting issues and recommend appropriate accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to accounting processes, internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Provide financial guidance and support to City departments regarding grants, capital assets, and governmental accounting practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or closely related field;
AND
One (1) to three (3) years of professional accounting experience, preferably in governmental accounting, grant administration, capital asset accounting, or financial reporting;
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Governmental accounting experience and experience with Tyler Munis are preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of governmental accounting principles, GAAP, GASB standards, and governmental fund accounting.
• Knowledge of federal and state grant requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).
• Knowledge of capital asset accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Skilled in preparing journal entries, account reconciliations, financial reports, and analyzing financial data.
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office and enterprise financial management systems, preferably Tyler Munis.
• Ability to interpret and apply accounting standards and grant requirements.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City departments, auditors, grant agencies, and external partners.
• Ability to perform work accurately, completely and in a timely manner.

Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:
Must complete required NIMS training within first six months of hire. This is online training that will be provided upon hire.

Work Environment:
Work is performed in a typical office environment. While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, use repetition of hands and fingers, ability to reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, complex thinking and creative problem solving.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The City of Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. The City of Independence is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

The City of Independence provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to humanresources-coi@indepmo.org.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right in coordination with the governing union (if applicable) to add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.