Financial Services Supervisor - KWU

City of Kenosha • Kenosha, WI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent in this position supervises the accounting functions of the Kenosha Water Utility and ensures conformance with established accounting principles and internal control standards and compliance with Utility, City of Kenosha and other regulatory agency statutes, ordinances, policies and procedures. The work is performed under the direction of the Director of Business Services. This position falls under the Finance Division of the KWU Business Services Department which has 3 operational divisions: Finance which is responsible for payroll processing, purchasing, accounts payable, budgeting, asset inventory and depreciation, and making sure our accounting practices and financial statements are in compliance with regulatory standards. Customer Services which is responsible for providing general information regarding Utility services and fees, generating bills, receipting customer payments, documenting and forwarding emergencies, and scheduling service appointments. Meter Services which is responsible for the installation, testing, maintenance and reading of residential, commercial and industrial water meters. Water meters for residential and commercial properties are read on a bi-monthly basis, and industrial meters are read monthly. The Kenosha Water Utility is a municipally-owned, fiscally independent public utility organized under authority of §66.0805 of the Wisconsin State Statutes and Chapter XXXII of the City of Kenosha General Ordinances. The Kenosha Water Utility provides water and wastewater services to more than 100,000 people in the Kenosha area, including the City of Kenosha, the Villages of Bristol, Pleasant Prairie, and Somers. Kenosha is ideally located off Interstate 94 on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Chicago. More information about KWU, including our annual report and financial statement, is available at www.kenosha.org.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field from an accredited college or university
• A minimum of three (3) years of financial, cost and fund accounting experience with a non-profit, government, or other regulated industry preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) including the application of principles and practices of accounting, billing, budgeting and finance for public utilities and municipalities.
• Ability to read, interpret, utilize and analyze a variety of data and information such as financial statements, payroll records, reconciliations, investment summaries, depreciation reports.
• Ability to advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to provide effective first line supervision.
• Ability to plan, assign and review job duties of subordinates; ability to evaluate performance and provide training, coaching and mentoring.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, management, other departments, regulatory agencies, external auditors, and the public.
• Skill in using standard office equipment, computers and applicable software, spreadsheets and database programs.
• Skill and ability in performing accurate mathematical computations related to financial accounting, meter reading and utility billing.
• Skill in responding to and resolving customer inquiries and complaints in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to facilitate meetings to effective outcomes.
• Ability to handle reasonable necessary stress and work overtime if needed.
• Job duties are primarily sedentary, requiring the ability to sit at a desk or table for an extended period of time.
• Job duties require the ability to move about an office area.
• Job duties require the dexterity and coordination in the use of eyes, hands, wrists, and/or fingers in the operation of standard office equipment.
• Duties may require occasional repetitive motion in the use of hands/fingers when operating keyboard, mouse, or calculator.
• Job duties may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of objects of light to medium weight (25 pounds or less).
• Job duties require oral and aural communication abilities.
• Job duties require normal vision with the ability to read and comprehend written materials and to distinguish between colors and shapes.
• Job duties are normally performed in an office environment.
• Job duties may require occasional visit to shop area or water/wastewater treatment plant which may involve limited exposure to noise, strong odors, chemical or electric hazards, or wet/slippery conditions.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and a good driving record.

Nice To Haves

• financial, cost and fund accounting experience with a non-profit, government, or other regulated industry preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Supervises Accountant and Account Clerks assigned to payroll and accounts payable/receivable; participates in the recruitment and interview process to select new personnel; provides instruction and training; plans, coordinates, assigns and reviews work activities; approves leave; addresses problems and concerns, and documents as necessary; evaluates performance during probation and on annual basis.
• Prepares year-end financial closing including reconciling account balance sheets, reviewing expense and revenue accounts and accruals, reviewing fixed asset additions and retirement schedules, reviewing fixed asset depreciation and accumulated depreciation schedules.
• Prepares all financial statements including Statements of Net Position, Statements of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Fund Net Position, Statements of Cash Flows, Notes to Basic Financial Statements, Required Supplemental Information, Supplementary Schedules and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for use in audited financial statements.
• Reviews preparation of monthly general ledger including reconciliation of accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, special assessments, bank statements and cash.
• Reviews investment schedules, allocated shared expenses between funds and engineering services monthly allocation.
• Assists in preparing calculations, data requests, testimony and implementation of water and sewer rate increases.
• Administers special assessment billing and accounting for sewer and water funds.
• Administers lease accounting (cell towers, vehicles, equipment).
• Assists Director of Business Services as technical lead on accounting, payable/receivable, and payroll computer platform and database.
• Works with the Utility customer service department to prepare and review adjustments to customer accounts and update computer records.
• Reviews payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable batches for accuracy.
• Prepares requests for quote and bid tabulations for selected equipment and supplies.
• Prepares wage expense schedule for budget; reviews fixed asset purchase records for accuracy; maintains continuing property records.
• Reviews purchase requisitions and assigns account numbers.
• Prepares monthly disbursements summary report for review by the Board of Water Commissioners.
• Attends public hearings, professional conferences and other training as required.
• Prepares manual journal entries.
• Answers phones and responds to customer inquiries.
• Receives payments and answers questions at the customer services counter.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level