Accountant - Harris County Office of Purchasing Agent

Harris County•Houston, TX

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Accountant II supports department-wide financial operations for the Harris County Purchasing Agent by performing accounting, revenue, expense, and financial reporting activities across eight divisions. The position supports accurate and timely processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue collection, travel, and related financial transactions while maintaining complete and audit-ready records. The incumbent monitors financial activity, identifies and resolves discrepancies, coordinates with internal departments and external vendors, and prepares recurring financial reports to support compliance, accountability, and informed financial management, serving as backup support for financial activities and coordination during emergency or disaster response.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field
Three (3) years of public sector accounting support, bookkeeping, or accounts payable/receivable
Experience processing invoices, reconciling accounts, and maintaining financial records required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.
Knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, financial record keeping, transaction documentation, and basic governmental accounting support practices, including internal control principles.
Knowledge of government (county, state, and federal) procurement, reimbursement, invoice, and payment workflows, including travel reimbursements, revenue collection documentation, and general accounting related support.
Deep understanding of internal control principles, county purchasing and reimbursement workflows, and governmental accounting practices.
Strong analytical skills to review financial documents and transactions for accuracy, coding, completeness, compliance, and consistency across invoices, receipts, statements, reimbursement claims, and budget transactions and identify discrepancies to ensure compliance.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, accuracy in financial processing.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in standard ERP applications, Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and PDF tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience with general ledger reconciliation, FEMA documentation, reimbursement processing, and transaction documentation review preferred.
Knowledge of government (county, state, and federal) procurement

Responsibilities

Provides customer service and issue resolution related to department-level accounting activity across eight divisions by responding to inquiries, identifying discrepancies, coordinating follow-up with leadership and vendors, and ensuring timely correction or escalation of issues.
Conducts all department-level purchasing and formal receipt of goods and services in line with audit level standards to ensure financial accountability, transparency, and compliance. Such duties include requisition creation, tracking, and placing orders.
Execute and monitor all department-level accounts payable functions through approval verification tracking, budget and financial code validation, receipt review against statements, vendor delivery and order coordination, and payment processing with timely documentation submissions for Auditor review and Commissioners Court approval in compliance with Texas and county procure-to-pay requirements.
Performs department-level accounts receivable and revenue-collection functions by processing low-threshold checks for rebates and public information requests, and maintaining financial reporting for various recycling programs, auctions, and other revenue related requirements for certifications.
Oversee travel-related financial activity for departmental staff. Prepares, reviews, and routes travel-related financial documentation required for Commissioners Court certification; reviews receipts and travel claims for lodging, airfare, mileage, per diem, course fees, and required timing documentation; codes travel transactions in ERP; and ensures reimbursement packets are complete, accurate, and aligned with county procedures.
Monitors, reconciles, and reports departmental financial activity to the Finance Director, including budget transaction review, payment follow-through, expense tracking by class, revenue tracking by type, issue identification by source, and preparation of recurring financial reports and supporting documentation on a routine basis: monthly, quarterly, midyear, and annually.
This role also serves as backup support for financial documentation and related activities during emergencies or disaster response along with other duties as needed.