Summary 

An accountant applies the principles of accounting within an assigned area of accounting or group of funds.  He/She analyzes financial information and prepares financial reports to determine or maintain record of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization.  Some familiarity with and an awareness of the laws and regulations that apply to accounting are required to ensure compliance.  

Essential Functions

• Calculate, post, and verify basic financial information used to produce and maintain financial and statistical documents.
• Compile financial information and assist in the preparation of reports.
• Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting and other tax requirements.
• Record, classify, and summarize financial transactions and events in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations, to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice.
• Review financial statements and advise the director as to the availability and balance of funds.
• Coordinate the preparation of regularly scheduled and special billings, costs reports, analyses, studies, inventories, and financial statements for local, state, federal and private funding sources.
• Develop, maintain, and analyze budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs.
• Prepare forms and manuals for accounting and bookkeeping personnel, and direct their work activities.
• Use various software applications, such as spreadsheet, relational databases, and statistical packages to assemble, manipulate and/or format data and/or reports.
• Prepare and supervise preparation of the budget for the department.
• Keep abreast of laws and regulations that apply to a particular staff function or field of professional expertise to maintain up-to-date compliance.
• Post accounts receivable and payable.
• Prepare and make bank deposits.
• Develop policies and methods of operations for fiscal control.  Write and set up accounting procedure, records and controls.
• Initiate and process journal entries into various accounts.
• Record payrolls.
• Maintain inventory records.
• Purchase supplies as needed or requested.
• Provide information to head supervisor or president of company explaining accounting transactions, and resolving accounting issues and discrepancies.
• Prepare purchase orders and do expense reports.
• Make schedules, sort documents, and file bills.
• Initiate, approve or reconcile transactions with depository banks.
• Exchange non-routine information using tact and persuasion as appropriate requiring good oral and written communication skills .

***This list is not exhaustive.  Employee is expected to carry out any other job-related activity as requested by supervisor. ***

Essential Job Qualifications

The qualified job candidate for this position will have knowledge of state rules and procedures related to purchasing, payment processing, payroll, and various other accounting topics.  He/she will be capable of taking the knowledge and experience to meet deadlines and provide professional accounting service to the organization.  They will also be able to work accurately with numerical detail, while analyzing, consolidating, and interpreting accounting data.  He/she will also have enough expertise and knowledge in PC based computer software to produce reports and charts for the director or president of the company.  In the case of a handicap, company MUST and WILL make reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of the job. 

Education/Experience 

• Two years college education with courses in accounting, business, or equivalent experience is required.  Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field is preferred.
• Two years related work experience required.  Three years experience preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of modern accounting theories and practices.
• Ability to design and install accounting systems and ability to analyze accounting data and financial statements.
• Initiative, resourcefulness, integrity, thoroughness, accuracy and administrative ability.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations.
• Spreadsheet software skills to quantify and illustrate routine financial reports, statements, and/or projections.
• Ability to set up and maintain accounts and ledgers.
• Ability to supervise and train assigned staff.
• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures.
• Knowledge of computerized information systems used in financial and/or accounting applications.
• Ability to effectively communicate accounting information, policies, and/or procedures.
• Knowledge of general accounting principles.
• Good organizational and planning skills.

 Mental Effort 

• On a regular and continuous basis, exercises administrative judgment and assumes responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results having an impact on people, costs, and/or quality of service within the functional area.
• Ability to carryout simple to reasonably difficult mathematical problems.
• Exercise discretion and judgment in responding to inquiries and protecting confidential information and issues.
• Must take initiative, be a decisive decision-maker and show confidence in decisions made.
• Ability to manage one’s own time.
• Ability to use knowledge and common sense to carry out given instructions.

 Physical Effort 

• Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.
• Normal physical strength and lifting 10-20 pounds.  Employee may occasionally be required to lift packages and other material that may weigh up to 20 pounds.
• Reaching by extending hands or arms in any directions.
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers, such as using a keyboard.
• Ability to see and hear within the normal parameters.
• Normal hand eye coordination. 
• Ability to move around and walk around the work environment.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Work Environment 

• Moderate amount of noise in work environment.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Normal temperatures in work environment.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions