Staff Accountant II

Classification Summary

Classification Summary

This position is under general direction of the Finance Director; Staff Accountant II exercises initiative in representing the Director within assigned areas of fiscal and management functions. This is a full-time non-exempt position reporting to the Assistant Finance Director. Regular work hours are Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; however, this may include some nights and weekends. The position must be able to adapt to a flexible work schedule as established by supervisor. This position entails considerable initiative and independent judgment and the ability to work with others to accomplish program goals and objectives and integration of programs.

Job Title Summary

Staff Accountant II prepares a variety of technical and administrative accounting work necessary to maintain the fiscal records and system of the Village of Ruidoso in accordance with federally accepted accounting principles and applicable federal and state governmental accounting standards. This Staff Accountant II provides day-to-day support to the Finance Director and other Department Directors/Managers. The Staff Accountant II must be well organized and able to communicate effectively with all employees, management, and outside agencies. This position must be able to handle various requests for information and clarification from employees, management, other agencies, and co-workers during the workday.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services
• Provides day-to-day fiscal support to Finance Director and other employees.
• Performs technical and administrative accounting work necessary in maintaining the fiscal records and systems of the Village in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable federal and state governmental accounting standards
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations.
• Using excellent customer service skills establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the public.
• Analyzes, addresses, and completes a wide variety of highly technical accounting transactions and processes.
• Performs and supervises petty cash and cash drawer audits to ensure compliance with the Villages Cash Handling Policy.
• Verifies account numbers and work orders on reports, journal entries, and purchase requisitions.
• Resolves difficult accounting problems.
• Prepares annual census report and files on-line.
• Assists in daily on-line banking duties on Wells Fargo CEO system including inputting and/or sending ACH payments, preparing bank draft payments, and positive pay verifications for all checks written on Village bank accounts.
• Maintains the Village property and liability insurance
• Performs work regarding accounting issues and reporting issues, in accordance with the Accounting & Financial Policies and Procedures Manual, New Mexico State Law and Statutes, and GAAP principles.
• Monitor all Village departments to ensure compliance with budget guidelines; presents recommendations for changes and procedural improvements regarding monitory control and budget management.
• Conducts regular audits to ensure the general ledger and other internal audits and make sure they are maintained in compliance with state statues, GAAP and federal funding requirements.
• Writes and posts routine monthly journal entries to the general ledger, such as allocations of payroll, insurance, and postage costs, and allocations of monthly interest earnings to various departments and funds.
• Processes employee compensation accurately and on time, managing tax withholdings, maintaining accurate payroll records, and ensuring compliance with labor laws.
• Responsible for entering data, filing tax reports, reconciling payroll accounts.
• Maintains general journal and general ledger records and reports. Prepares spreadsheets for special financial and budgetary reports.
• Reviews all procurement card statements and receipts for legitimacy and to determine if expenditures were within proper usage and meet travel guidelines. Assists purchasing agent with credit card disputes, vendor setup, and questions on p-card usage and coordinates payment for all purchase cards.
• Research, compile and summarize a variety of information to prepare periodic and special reports; prepare correspondence and a variety of reports and written materials.
• Prepares a variety of complex accounting reports and ensures timely completion of monthly, quarterly, and annual standard reports including completion of regular and special request accounting projects; coordinates this activity with Finance Director.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports but not limited to DFA, Lodgers Tax, and special reports.
• Enter manual checks, cash receipts, and monthly budget adjustments into computerized general ledger.
• Maintains record of cash receipt slips utilized by the various departments.
• Reconciles all the Village of Ruidoso’s monthly bank statements for all funds and accounts.
• Reconciles monthly and perform extensive research for various bank transactions in the clearing account, the disbursement bank account, the operating bank account, the customer deposit bank account, and any other account the Village of Ruidoso may have. Creates, enters, and posts adjusting journal entries to clear outstanding reconciling items on these banks.
• Prepares a variety of complex accounting reports and ensures timely completion of monthly, quarterly, and annual standard reports including completion of regular and special request accounting projects; coordinates this activity with the Finance Director.
• Assists in evaluating legal compliance of grants, financial administrative regulations, and state statutes.
• Oversee the process of monthly governmental gross receipts tax report to the state, and quarterly federal excise tax reports.
• Run and distribute monthly revenue and expenditure reports to management and departments.
• Organize own work, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Analyzes, addresses, and completes a wide variety of highly technical accounting transactions and processes.
• Research and process all incoming bank ACH debits by coordinating utility payments via ACH with utility billing personnel.
• Notify the Finance Director of any real or perceived problems related to Finance.
• Demonstrate continuous efforts to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly with customers, other employees, vendors, and auditors.
• Reviews and updates property and liability insurance
• As a member of the Finance Department this position assists in audits and helps auditors locate any information they are requesting.
  
  

OTHER REPONSIBILITIES OR JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Assists in preparing 1099’s yearly, however, is responsible for 1099 issuance and accuracy. Resolves any discrepancies on the Internal Revenue Service discrepancy report annually. Prepares state and federal withholding tax returns.
• Assists in monitoring transactions and disbursements to ensure adherence to Village policies including purchasing cards, travel, cash handling, finance regulations, and personnel regulations.
• Assists with line-item changes
• Fill out credit applications
• Maintain fixed asset inventory and keep it up to date for the Village of Ruidoso.
• Perform spot and random audits on petty cash drawers at least yearly.
• Performs cross training with Assistant Finance Director and Accounts Payable, this will allow for continued service to the public, departments, and outside agencies to help maintain functions within the Finance department
• Prepares and submits all surveys by mail or on-line.
• Assists in coordinating office activities to facilitate the conducting of the annual audit by an independent outside auditor. Assist the auditor with any questions or documentation they may need.
• Provides technical evaluations and recommends procedures for the resolution of accounting/financial issues.
• Must maintain a high level of computer abilities and keep up with changing technology.
• Completes personal timesheet accurately and timely. Ensures time is reported based on actual time worked.
• Ensure that any on-the job injury is reported immediately and followed up with appropriate forms and actions.
• Reports any suspected fraud, waste and/or abuse to the Finance Director.
• Ensure any reports of harassment are immediately reported and appropriate actions are taken.
• Attend meetings, training, and workshops as needed
• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job. As a condition of employment, employees are required to perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting OR Bachelor’s Degree in a related field with three years financial accounting experience preferred, OR associate’s degree and five years financial accounting experience preferred, OR High School education or equivalent and ten years financial accounting experience preferred.
• Municipal governmental accounting preferred.
• High level of computer skills and general technology required.
• Demonstrated analytical and technical/computer skills using government accounting systems, and proficient in the use of personal computers and software packages, including specific knowledge of Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills required
• Must possess excellent writing and interpersonal skills
• Must be able to pass criminal history checks
• Must be able to pass a credit check
• Must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with agency “Drug Free” Policy.
• Must possess and maintain valid New Mexico motor vehicle operator’s permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required. Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law. MVR background checks may be conducted by the agency.
• PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to talk or hear.
• The employees frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• The usual requirements in an office environment may require lifting boxes of supplies, equipment, and occasional adjustments of office furniture.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional bending or squatting required.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Work is typically performed in an interior office environment
• Possess ability to adapt to inclement weather conditions and/or situations.
• Noise levels could be low to moderate in work environment.
• TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
• Normal travel - ability to travel for activities such as meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the area.
• Must be able to travel by air as needed to attend training, conferences, and related activities.
• Overnight travel as required.
• Closing Statements
• Any position that lists a minimum qualification for education level and/or license/certification will require the applicant to provide proof of documentation if selected for hire into the position.
• In the event of an emergency, employees are required to work to provide for the safety and well-being of the public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services.
• This job description is subject to change as the needs of the Village and Department change or the requirements of this position change.
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge Of:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements, theories, and practices
• Knowledge of Governmental Finance Officer Association (GFOA) practices and principles
• Knowledge of Village of Ruidoso finance and budgeting policies and procedures preferred
• Knowledge of basic fund accounting and bookkeeping principles and practices, including double entry accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, and budgeting.
  
  

Ability To:

• Ability to work in stressful environment and deal effectively with stress.
• Ability to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established by management.
• Ability to drive, occasionally long distances.
• Ability to maintain efficient and effective accounting system and procedures
• Ability to understand and carry out instruction and procedures with minimal supervision.
• Ability to handle and prioritize a variety of assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to drive, occasionally long distances.
• Ability to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting, standing, walking, driving or riding in a car for extended periods of time.
• Ability to recognize and keep confidential information private about customers and employees.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees and management, both orally and in writing using correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  
  

Skill In:

• Skill in utilizing standard office equipment, including personal computers, telephones, copying machines, and adding machines.
• Skill in performing routine mathematical calculations such as addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and the calculation of percentages.
• Skill in performing routine double entry accounting transactions.
• Skill in supervising computerized accounts payable function for an organization.
  
  

Closing Statements

• Any position that lists a minimum qualification for education level and/or license/certification will require the applicant to provide proof of documentation if selected for hire into the position.
• In the event of an emergency, employees are required to work to provide for the safety and well-being of the public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services.
• This job description is subject to change as the needs of the organization and Department change or the requirements of this position change.
  
  

The Village of Ruidoso offers a complete benefit package to full time employees, including health, dental, and vision insurance. The Village of Ruidoso belongs to the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) and we also provide paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The Village of Ruidoso does offer several additional Voluntary insurance benefits and deferred compensation plans.

To view our Insurance Benefit Booklet offered by the Village of Ruidoso,

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To view a summary of benefits offered by the Village of Ruidoso,

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