Accountant

JOB CODE: 1404

PAY GRADE: 1210

SALARY RANGE: $41,114 - $69,994

LOCATION OF WORK
Various City-Parish Departments

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of a higher classification, performs professional accounting work in one of the various City-Parish departments requiring the performance of accounting activities. Work involves responsibility for the application of professional accounting principles, practices and techniques and the ability to apply them to municipal accounting situations. Additional responsibilities may include investing idle City-Parish monies, assisting with determining the type, amount and term of investments within the guidelines of the Investment Policy, providing leadership and guidance for statutory and ad-hoc audits of grant sub-recipients and conducting fiscal monitoring of sub-recipients. Supervision may be exercised over paraprofessional and clerical/fiscal personnel through the inspection of completed work. Performs other work as requested.

ESSENTIAL WORK TASKS
Prepares, examines, monitors and analyzes accounting records, financial statements, and other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards. Prepares special analyses and reports, which requires knowledge of the total accounting system. Reviews supporting documentation to ensure amount billed to grants are in accordance with contract and grant regulations; reviews budget and financial reports for compliance with funding regulations. Audits grant sub-recipients to ensure compliance with funding requirements relative to fiscal operations; makes appropriate recommendations for adjustments to internal controls and fiscal management systems to ensure compliance with the policies and expectations of funders. Analyzes technical financial information and makes recommendations to department head for use in making policy decisions. Explains accounting procedures and reports to outside auditors to assist them in the examination of financial statements. Develops, maintains, and analyzes budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs; advises department head on budgetary matters. Establishes tables of accounts and assigns entries to proper accounts. Supervises and trains paraprofessional accounting and clerical/fiscal staff performing payroll, grant reporting, or other accounting duties. Conducts site visits; develops corrective action plans if needed and ensures implementation of corrective action plans. Provides sub-recipients with training and technical assistance related to invoicing, compliance with financial requirements, and other fiscal matters. Analyzes cash balances and cash-flow projections taken from past records; discusses cash-flow projections with management to stay posted on unusual or abnormal situations requiring additional cash balances. Discusses with management and selects the types of investments that will yield highest interest for the amount and term desired; ensures that investments are properly collateralized; determines whether matured investments should be cashed or re-invested; enters and maintains detailed information for each investment account. Assists in preparing for and achieving compliance with any local, state or federal audit of services.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of modern accounting principles, practices and procedures, and of how they may be applied to municipal accounting situations. Knowledge of policies and procedures used in making investments. Knowledge of basic mathematics and statistics used in accounting work. Knowledge of business English used to prepare brief narrative reports. Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment. Skill in the operation and care of a computer, calculator and other office machines used in connection with accounting work. Ability to analyze and interpret cash balances, cash-flow projections, and various pay-out and maturity schedules. Ability to supervise the work of a moderate sized clerical/fiscal staff. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to groups and to individuals. Ability to use a computer for word processing and spreadsheet applications. Ability to maintain confidentiality of program, staff and client information. Ability to apply good work habits such as punctuality, reliability, preciseness, and dependability in order to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the department and division.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS