Grants & Contracts Accountant- Finance Department

City of Port St. Lucie, FL • Port Saint Lucie, FL

101d • $32 - $37

About The Position

The focus of this position is mid-level, professional accounting work covering certain phases of finance, accounting, administrative management, control, and analysis while exercising discretion and independent judgment. Performs specialized work supporting the development of the grant management system, including data entry, supporting departments in the management of their grant award, monitoring, reporting, and tracking grants throughout the City. Supports effective grant management and accurate data entry and reporting. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City. This position is an Essential classification and will be required to report to duty before, during, and immediately after a civil emergency.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree of Accounting, Public or Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Two (2) years of experience in accounting, preferably.
• Two (2) years of experience in the government sector, required.
• Two (2) years of experience in grant financial management is required.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of City rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles.
• Knowledge and understanding of grant applications and processes.
• Knowledge of governmental budgeting and accounting principles.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills to include VLOOKUP, PIVOTS, conditional formatting, advanced formulas, and working with downloads from ERP.
• Ability to prepare and present information clearly to City employees, Council and the public.
• Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer.
• Ability to implement grant and budget procedures.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the department and public.
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks.

Responsibilities

• Keeps the mission, vision and values of the City of Port St. Lucie at the forefront of decision making and action.
• Builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust.
• Provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives.
• Maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Develop procedures to govern how transactions are processed in coordination with the Grants Administrator and other Grant teams.
• Enters and tracks programmatic and financial data.
• Performs monthly reconciliation of complex accounting transactions.
• Proactively identifies, tracks, and reviews grants monthly and drafts progress reports as needed to ensure grant award requirements are met.
• Clarifies and resolves technical and contractual issues and problems with grants.
• Guides department staff on grant regulations and use of grant funding.
• Tracks actual expenditures and corresponding backup for accuracy.
• Verifies progression towards planned outcomes and goals.
• Reviews invoices and payment documentation for accuracy and proper coding.
• Processes invoices for payment and answers questions from vendors and contractors regarding invoice and payment status.
• Processes purchase orders and requisitions for supplies and services.
• Performs complex, specialized grant accounting functions.
• Prepares and complies periodic financial reporting and submission at the state and federal levels.
• Complies with reimbursement submittal requirements.
• Prepares, maintains, analyzes, balances, and reconciles a variety of financial reports/statements.
• Prepares and reviews journal entries, wire transfers, and ACH transactions.
• Composes and types a variety of documents including correspondence, technical specifications, agendas, contract documents, minutes of meetings, memoranda, lists, schedules, manuals and other written materials or documentation.
• Researches, audits, and analyzes accounting data.
• Conducts statistical comparisons of information as needed.
• Assists Deputy Director and/or designee with the Munis Grants Module and the processing and review of grant billings.
• Responsible for general billing invoicing as it relates to grants, through the City's ERP software.
• Manages accounts receivable as it relates to general billing for departments' grants/projects.
• Provides financial support to include project ledger review, grant review, and various internal/external reporting.
• Ensures compliance adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Assists in gathering, analyzing, reviewing and development of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
• Assists with gathering and preparing information for external auditors as needed.
• Researches and reconciles the projects and grant expenditures to both the Project Ledger module and the Grant Management module.
• May involve entering journal entries to update.
• Follows up with City staff as necessary.
• Performs a variety of special work assignments as assigned by the Deputy Director and/or designee.
• Monitors revenues and expenditures during the fiscal year to ensure budget compliance.
• Assists in researching and reviewing departmental financial records and reports.
• Serves as a liaison in assisting all departments with the Project Ledger Module.
• May serve as back-up in other locations of the department to cover staff shortages.
• Evaluates, recommends, and establishes policies and procedures to continuously improve operations.

Benefits

• Starting salary range for this position is $32.31 - $37.16, depending on qualifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree