Temp-Accountant

City of Fargo•Fargo, ND

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the City of Fargo during a pivotal moment of transformation! The Temporary Accountant provides short-term accounting support to the Finance Department during the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation. This position is designed to maintain essential operational functions, including general ledger transactions, financial reporting and account reconciliation while permanent staff focus on ERP project activities, testing, and training. This role is a temporary on-site opportunity working 30-39 hours week with an anticipated end date of February 1, 2027. The number of weekly work hours will depend on operational needs. The core hours are Monday through Friday during our office hours of 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM with some flexibility. The duration of the role may be subject to change based on departmental needs and budgetary considerations. Under 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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field and two years of relevant accounting experience; or Current junior or senior enrolled in an accredited bachelor's degree program in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or a recent graduate of such a program, with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and the ability to work a minimum of 32 hours per week.
General knowledge of accounting principles
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail
Must have 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

Nice To Haves

Previous internship or work experience in public accounting, governmental accounting, or corporate accounting.

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.
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.
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.