Accountant I

City of St Marys•St. Marys, GA

About The Position

The Accountant I performs accounting duties in support of assigned department financial operations for the City of St. Marys. The role supports accurate financial transactions and records through reconciliations, revenue processing, tax-related activities, reporting, and audit preparation. As a municipal emergency service provider, the City may require employees to assist during emergencies in areas outside their regular job function when the work is within their physical capabilities, training, and skills. The position works under general instructions from the Finance Director, whose review includes spot-checking completed work for procedural compliance, accuracy, and the propriety of results. The work is guided by bank reconciliation procedures, property tax guidelines, Georgia Department of Revenue guidelines for unclaimed property, payroll procedures, and City and department policies. Applying these guidelines requires judgment, selection, and interpretation. The role has no supervisory or management responsibility. The work is typically performed in an office while sitting at a desk or table, with occasional lifting of light objects. Contacts include coworkers, other City personnel, bank representatives, vendors, and members of the public, generally to provide services, exchange information, justify matters, or resolve problems.

Requirements

Associate degree required.
More than three years of related experience required, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Valid state driver's license for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
Knowledge of property tax policies and procedures, audit principles and practices, City and state purchasing policies and procedures, budget development and management principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board guidelines, computers and job-related software, and state guidelines for unclaimed property.
Skill in managing financial records, preparing financial reports, providing customer service, and communicating orally and in writing.
Certified Local Govt. Finance Officer Program Level 1 must be successfully obtained within two years of employment.

Responsibilities

Reconcile bank accounts to the general ledger; investigate and resolve discrepancies; identify necessary corrections; and prepare journal entries.
Assist with property tax billing and collection, including preparing tax bills for mailing, researching accounts, responding to taxpayer and mortgage company inquiries, processing telephone payments, and assisting with account corrections.
Record, reconcile, and post revenues and other receipts, including hotel/motel taxes, beer and wine revenues, and other City payments; research and resolve discrepancies.
Issue external invoices for various services.
Prepare monthly sales tax reports for the St. Marys Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourism and SMAC and ensure reported amounts reconcile to applicable financial records.
Provide property tax information and assistance to citizens, mortgage companies, and other authorized parties; assist taxpayers with senior exemption applications and related questions.
Administer unclaimed funds activities, including identifying stale-dated and uncashed checks, recording amounts to the appropriate account, researching individuals and businesses entitled to funds, and maintaining supporting records.
Assist with property tax sales through preparation, research, documentation, account review, and other supporting activities.
Prepare monthly financial statements and reports for Tourism, including reconciliation and review of applicable revenues, expenditures, and account balances.
Assist with the annual financial audit by preparing and reconciling audit schedules, compiling supporting documentation, researching account balances and discrepancies, preparing journal entries, and responding to auditor requests.
Work with Finance staff and external auditors to ensure requested information is accurate, complete, and provided promptly.
Perform other related duties and provide support to Finance Department operations as necessary.
Assist in emergency situations with work outside the specific job function when it is within the employee's physical capabilities, training, and skills.