Accountant

City of Fargo•Fargo, ND

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of finance management, performs accounting activities and duties including auditing, bank reconciliation, cash and investment reconciliation, account reconciliation, summary of transactions, journal entries, and other special projects assigned by the Finance Manager, Assistant Director of Finance, or the Director of Finance. This job assists in preparing internal and external financial reports including annual reports, monthly financial statements, budget reports, and historical trend analysis and cost/benefit studies. The Accountant is responsible for professional accounting duties under the general direction of the Finance Manager.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
At least two years of work-related experience.
General knowledge of accounting principles.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including the ability to use formulas, functions (ex. SUM, VLOOKUP, pivot tables), and spreadsheets to organize, analyze, and reconcile data with a high degree of accuracy.
Strong computer skills with experience using various software, including financial systems, Internet, Zoom, Teams, Adobe, and Microsoft Outlook.
Ability to learn new systems and technologies with ease.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Team Player.

Responsibilities

Prepares various financial statements and reports.
Works as a member of a team to assist in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) by collecting required information, updating report models, implementing changes indicated to meet or maintain conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Uniform Guidance (UG), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
Assists in maintaining and updating budgeting and extended reporting for software system; provide “ad hoc” financial reports as requested by department staff.
Complies fiscal and/or statistical data and prepares various state, federal or departmental reports to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations; provides management with necessary information regarding department and/or city programs, activities and functions.
Under direction of the Finance Manager, prepares journal entries, account reconciliations, cash and investment reconciliations, bank reconciliations, subsidiary ledger reconciliations, and financial statements for various programs and projects; develop and post adjusting journal entries as necessary for error corrections, program accounting, payroll posting, and recurring month-end entries.
Maintains a list of city fixed assets and construction in progress and verifies accuracy of lists with applicable departments and obtains documentation for deletions or additions.
Create and maintain audit work papers that support the ACFR and SEFA in formats acceptable to independent CPAs.
Provide information required for annual audit.
Identify and notify management of any discrepancies or inconsistencies in reporting systems and internal controls.
Develops and recommends system/procedure improvements and/or modifications; Recommends changes when deficiencies are observed.
Assist in the preparation of annual budget.
May assist in the preparation of schedules and summaries presented in the Budget Book; Reviews requests keyed into budget software by departments for accuracy; Budget spreadsheet preparation for departments and attending annual budget meetings; Review of budget submissions.
Under direction of the Finance Manager, maintains financial records for various departments.
Performs account reconciliation.
Maintains investment transaction records.
Maintains membership information and contribution history.
Prepares monthly financial statements.
Maintains and produces data required for actuarial studies.
Produces annual benefit statements.
Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
Frequently interacts with others in the work unit and across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information; Occasionally interacts with the public and vendors to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss; Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work; When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
Performs other duties and activities assigned.