Accountant Lead (SPW)

Travis County•Austin, TX

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction, performs a wide range of professional accounting and advisory services using standard and specialized methods and procedures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and County policies. Work involves preparing detailed financial statements, schedules and reports, completing specialized journal entries, maintaining ledgers, reconciling and verifying accounts, and monitoring revenue and expense accounts. Functions as a lead worker over lower level accounting and other staff and provides technical advice and assistance to staff. This position is a Special Project Worker with an end date of December 31, 2027, with/without the possibility of renewal. This classification is the third in a series of three professional accounting-related job classifications within the Finance job family. Incumbents typically perform complex professional financial accounting duties that require the application of standard accounting theories, principles and techniques, and require the appropriate skill levels including intermediate to advanced skill levels in computer, analytical and communication skills. Incumbents work independently and exercise professional judgment in solving intermediate to advanced technical problems within assigned function. This classification is distinguished from the other accounting job classifications in that incumbents typically lead or supervise staff and make recommendations for accounting systems and policy changes to management. Duties require a substantial degree of initiative and independent judgment. This classification typically performs duties at a department or office level. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a directly related field AND six (6) years of increasingly responsible relevant professional level accounting or financial analysis experience.
Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or a directly related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
Knowledge of policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
Knowledge of Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standardized financial practices.
Knowledge of manual and automated systems relating to assigned function.
Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and methods.
Knowledge of computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
Knowledge of business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
Skill in leading projects and related staff.
Skill in problem-solving and decision-making.
Skill in entering and reconciling financial data and reporting and monitoring fund and ledger balances.
Skill in completing professional financial reports.
Skill in both verbal and written communication.
Ability to analyze, calculate, consolidate, reconcile and interpret accounting data and identify errors.
Ability to develop and maintain financial spreadsheets, accounts and ledgers.
Ability to prepare accurate financial statements.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Nice To Haves

Lead or supervisory experience.
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Responsibilities

Leads or supervises activities of subordinate accounting and/or other staff.
Plans, directs, organizes and schedules the activities of an accounting function or accounting functional areas.
Assigns work, trains or facilitates training, provides technical expertise and assistance to staff, and provides input into and may evaluate subordinate performance.
Reviews the work of assigned staff.
Prepares or leads preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, schedules and reports including completion of accounting entries and reconciliation of accounts and statements.
Develops non-standard reports and statements, such as detailed cost and financial analysis, forecasts, trend analysis and projections.
Completes a variety of special accounting studies.
Monitors revenue and expenses for assigned accounts.
Oversees the completion of journal entries, the maintenance of ledgers and the preparation of cost accounting information.
Verifies accounts and reconciles and analyzes entries, transactions, ledgers and reports.
Leads the maintenance of filing systems of accounting data, such as canceled checks, bank statements and other documentation.
Interprets and analyzes a wide variety of accounting data and financial reports and recommends alternatives and action to be taken.
Identifies informational needs of management and leads the revision or refinement of account structures or data accordingly.
Participates in developing and implementing a variety of accounting systems and procedures for department.
Drafts standard and specialized financial policies and procedures.
Assists in budget preparation and maintenance.
Monitors compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for assigned accounting area and ensures staff performs duties accordingly.
Maintains accounting controls and financial security by following policies and procedures and internal controls and recommends improvements to reinforce and strengthen controls.
Decides proper handling of financial transactions and approves transactions within designated limits.
Leads the assistance of department staff and other clients by providing procedural/financial information and/or other information and guidance with automated or manual systems.
Provides solutions to problems presented by management and staff, recommends changes to accounting system, methods or procedures, and implements approved changes.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.