Accountant

Under the general direction of the Assistant Finance Director, performs professional accounting, payroll, financial reporting, and internal control functions for the City and Public Utilities Commission.  This position assists with the planning, organization, and administration of financial operations, ensures accurate financial records are maintained, and provides supervision and direction to assigned Finance Office staff.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

Payroll Administration 

• Administers and processes bi-weekly payroll for City and Public Utilities employees.  
• Ensures accurate and timely payroll tax deposits and required federal and state payroll reporting. 
• Researches and resolves payroll issues and discrepancies. 
• Maintains payroll tables, earning codes, deduction codes, and related payroll information within the financial software.  
• Performs payroll benefit reconciliations and coordinates benefit payments.  
• Prepares all required year-end payroll reporting, including but not limited to: 
  1. W-2 and W-3
  2. Forms 1099
  3. Forms 1096
  4. ACA Forms 1094-C and 1095-C
  5. Other federal and state payroll as required

Accounting and Financial Administration 

• Performs professional accounting and internal auditing functions.
• Prepare audit workpapers and assists external auditors during the annual audit.
• Audits financial documents for proper revenue and expenditure classification.
• Assists in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports.
• Assists the Assistant Finance Director with preparation of Economic Development Authority (EDA) audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Administers assigned grants, reimbursement programs, and other financial reporting requirements.
• Recommends improvements in accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Maintains journals, ledgers, and general accounting records.
• Prepares account reconciliations, analyses, adjusting journal entries, and supporting schedules.
• Supervise subordinate staff and complete annual reviews.
• Assists with budget preparation, including salary and benefit projections and equipment depreciation schedules.
• Prepares property schedules for the City’s annual insurance renewal.
• Prepares submits the State of Minnesota Annual Financial Report.
• Approve requisitions within delegated authority. 
• Posts accounts receivable entries and adjustments.
• Calculates, files, and remits monthly sales tax and researches sales tax issues as needed.
• Responsible for coding, entering, posting, balancing, and preparing daily deposits as assigned.

Supervision and Leadership

• Assists in organizing, assigning, directing, and supervising the work of Finance Office staff. 
• Provides training, guidance, and technical support to assigned employees. 
• Conducts performance evaluations and provides coaching and performance feedback. 
• Assists with developing efficient workflows and improving departmental processes.   

Customer Service and Administrative Support

• Assists customers at the Finance Office counter and by telephone regarding utility billing, payments, and account questions.  
• Approves and signs customer payments agreements in accordance with City policy. 
• Maintains airport hangar lease records and tracking documentation.  
• Assists with election-related duties as assigned.  
• Attends City Council and Public Utilities Commission meetings in the absence of the Finance Director or Assistant Finance Director. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.  

The aforementioned functions are normal for this position.  They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA’s)

• Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of municipal payroll administration and applicable payroll laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of federal and state tax reporting requirements, including payroll tax reporting and Affordable Care Act reporting.  
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards.  
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting, auditing, financial reporting, and internal controls. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Working knowledge of accounting, payroll, and financial management software.  
• Working knowledge of Laserfiche, Convey, Account View, Max Galaxy, and other related software is desirable.
• Knowledge of office procedures, equipment, and records management practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to analyze financial information and prepare accurate financial reports.
• Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, elected officials, department heads, outside agencies, and the public.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to provide courteous and professional customer service, including resolving difficult customer concerns.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a closely related field required. 
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible accounting experience is preferred.   Experience with governmental accounting, municipal payroll administration, financial reporting, budgeting, auditing, and payroll tax reporting is highly desirable.  
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and computerized accounting and payroll systems is required.  
• A valid driver’s license.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires speaking or hearing and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Salary : $37 - $48