Accountant III (Revenue Accounting and Analysis)

City of Austin

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Austin Energy's Finance team is seeking a detail-oriented Accountant III to manage monthly accounting activities, including balance sheet reconciliations and journal entries. This role requires applying GAAP principles and researching accounting standards to ensure accurate financial statement reporting. Responsibilities include preparing audit work papers, maintaining proper internal controls, and performing regulatory accounting research and application. Accountant III Purpose: Coordinate and provide financial information to management by reviewing, preparing, researching, and analyzing complex financial transactions, statements, and reports and/or coordinating and/or leading activities of employees who prepare and balance financial transactions and general ledger accounts. Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Maintains accounting ledgers by posting/reviewing and/or approving the posting of general ledger account transactions; ensuring transactions are processed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), City policy, applicable laws and regulations, and sound business practices. Provides coordination and oversees the collections of revenue and/or processing of customer payments; analysis, and clearing of delinquent accounts; notifying customers of insufficient payments; calculating/assessing delinquent fines/fees, etc. Prepares complex financial statements for external reporting or financial reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing general ledger account information and trends; applying advanced skills and knowledge of accounting and reporting requirements of GAAP. Prepares audit work papers for annual or special audit by preparing, reviewing, and/or overseeing the preparation of complex supporting work papers for assigned area(s) or funds; providing explanations of City policy and procedures and responding to auditor questions and requests for information in a timely and accurate manner. Researches current and new accounting standards and related reporting/ information requirements to ensure accurate and timely implementation; organizes/summarizes research results for presentation of recommendations to management. Leads reconciliation of general ledger and/or bank accounts and resolves account discrepancies by reconciling and/or reviewing the reconciliation of statements and transactions and investigating supporting documentation; provides guidance by facilitating discrepancy resolutions for other internal/external accounting staff members. Provides guidance and direction through review of asset, liability, inventory, and/or capital account general ledger entries as prepared by internal/external department staff. Assists departments and other internal or external customers by providing procedural/financial and/or other information and guidance with automated or manual systems. Maintains financial security by following established internal accounting controls. Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised: Provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others

Requirements

Knowledge of internal control systems.
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), practices, and concepts.
Advanced knowledge of financial reporting concepts and preferred business practices.
Knowledge of manual and automated financial systems.
Advanced knowledge of financial reporting in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, GAAP.
Skill in classifying fiscal data and compiling fund level statements and reports.
Skill in effective verbal and written communications.
Skill in analyzing and interpreting financial records.
Skill in utilizing personal computer.
Skill in designing and maintaining complex spreadsheets and data bases utilizing word processing software.
Ability to prepare accurate and complex financial reports and statements.
Ability to analyze, recommend, and implement internal control systems
Ability to resolve problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgement.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to accounting, twenty-four (24) college semester hours in accounting plus three (3) years of accounting experience.
Four (4) completed years towards a five-year accounting degree, plus three (3) years of accounting experience.
A Master's degree in Accounting or Business Administration may substitute for one (1) year of accounting experience.
A CPA may substitute for the required four-year degree

Nice To Haves

Active CPA license in the State of Texas, or currently pursuing licensure with the ability to obtain a Texas CPA license within 12 months.
Experience preparing journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.
Experience applying GAAP principles for the preparation of GAAP based financial statements.
Experience preparing audit work papers for external auditors
Experience with regulatory accounting

Responsibilities

Maintains accounting ledgers by posting/reviewing and/or approving the posting of general ledger account transactions; ensuring transactions are processed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), City policy, applicable laws and regulations, and sound business practices.
Provides coordination and oversees the collections of revenue and/or processing of customer payments; analysis, and clearing of delinquent accounts; notifying customers of insufficient payments; calculating/assessing delinquent fines/fees, etc.
Prepares complex financial statements for external reporting or financial reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing general ledger account information and trends; applying advanced skills and knowledge of accounting and reporting requirements of GAAP.
Prepares audit work papers for annual or special audit by preparing, reviewing, and/or overseeing the preparation of complex supporting work papers for assigned area(s) or funds; providing explanations of City policy and procedures and responding to auditor questions and requests for information in a timely and accurate manner.
Researches current and new accounting standards and related reporting/ information requirements to ensure accurate and timely implementation; organizes/summarizes research results for presentation of recommendations to management.
Leads reconciliation of general ledger and/or bank accounts and resolves account discrepancies by reconciling and/or reviewing the reconciliation of statements and transactions and investigating supporting documentation; provides guidance by facilitating discrepancy resolutions for other internal/external accounting staff members.
Provides guidance and direction through review of asset, liability, inventory, and/or capital account general ledger entries as prepared by internal/external department staff.
Assists departments and other internal or external customers by providing procedural/financial and/or other information and guidance with automated or manual systems.
Maintains financial security by following established internal accounting controls.
Provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others