Accountant

The Accountant is a responsible, professional position in the Citys Accounting Division. Position supports the Accounting Manager and involves administration of municipal accounting duties as well as the completion of special assignments. In addition to general accounting and financial reporting, incumbent may be responsible for one or more of the following: accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, capital asset accounting, budget administration, and internal audit.

This position will require a 100% in-office, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. schedule for the first six (6)) months, after which, a hybrid schedule, with a minimum of 50% in office, may be considered by the supervisor.

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must attach a cover letter and resume (maximum of two pages for each document) to the online application at the time of submittal. The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employees level of proficiency and usage.

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service People Integrity Respect Innovation Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Finance Department, which provides quality financial services and expertise necessary to support a financially sustainable City government.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, procedures, and processes applying to the receipt, custody, and expenditure of municipal funds
• Demonstrate knowledge of sound internal controls, general business practices, and pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations applying to services and activities of municipal government programs and functions
• Analyze and solve routine accounting problems
• Exercise considerable judgment in maintaining or developing accounting procedures and in the preparation of statements and reports
• Meet deadlines while handling multiple tasks and work hours above and beyond regular schedule to bring project objectives to completion
• Administer internal audits including evaluation, development, coordination, execution, resolution, and reporting
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, superiors, other employees, City officials, and the public through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Communicate in a clear, concise, and objective manner
• Prepare and present oral and written communications including recommendations, reports, policy consultation, and education of City staff
• Work in highly integrated team
• Demonstrate considerable knowledge of Microsoft software packages, especially Word and Excel
• Demonstrate working knowledge of automated general ledger, subsidiary systems, and other related data processing systems
• Work without direct supervision

Leadership Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Foster a participatory organizational climate that is open, positive, reinforcing, and supportive
• Encourage employees to be accountable for their work and take ownership in what they do
• Demonstrate leadership and courage by making or supporting decisions that reflect the organizational mission and goals even when the decision may be unpopular to some
• Demonstrate collaboration and conflict resolution skills with other departments and employees
  
  

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks
1. Administration of existing accounting processes and procedures:

• Prepare general ledger, subsidiary system, bank, and various other reconciliations
• Prepare, review, and approve budget revisions, journal entries, and various other financial transactions
• Prepare budgetary ordinances and resolutions for Council authorization
• Track supplemental budget appropriations and contingency transfer activity
• Calculate and distribute interest earnings for pooled cash and investments
• Administer financial accounting and reporting of grant activity
• Track and administer various financial agreements
• Administer monthly and annual close of Citys books, prepare financial statements and perform analytical review of results
• Prepare work papers and financial statements for the annual financial audit
• Calculate funding surpluses available for re-appropriation in the new year
• Administer records retention for the Accounting Division
• Facilitate internal controls through administration of financial policies
• Collaborate with internal and external customers on financial matters and initiatives

2. Administration of the internal audit function:

• Evaluate, identify, and help resolve deficiencies with financial policy, procedure, and system compliance and controls across the organization
• Survey departments or agencies to determine activities being performed, and develop internal audit program recommendations
• Execute approved internal audits including scope, techniques, and timetable within established time constraints:
  • Scope may include but is not limited to risks associated with cash, purchasing cards, travel expense reports, grants, payroll, and accounts payable
  • Audit tests may include physical examination of assets, confirmation, documentation, observation, inquiries of personnel, test of transactions, and analytics

• Audit accounting and operational records, procedures, and practices to determine accuracy and compliance with accepted policies, practices, procedures, and the law
• Prepare accurate and timely working papers for recording and summarizing data associated with the assigned audit
• Prepare and present oral and written audit findings and recommendations, and follows up on the correction of unsatisfactory conditions, improvements in operations, reduction of costs, and implementation of internal controls, acceptable practices, and procedures

3. Report to the Accounting Manager:

• Coordinate with the Accounting Manager on all assignments and special project planning, execution, decision making, and completion
• Collaborate on questions or concerns presented to the Accounting Division relating to the budget and financial records
• Make recommendations to the Accounting Manager for new methods and technology that could improve customer service and productivity for various accounting functions
• Supervise the Accounting Division in absence of Accounting Manager

4. Interact with peers in the Accounting Division:

• Promote cooperation in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the division
• Facilitate a productive work environment
• Advance team over self
• Share job-related knowledge and expertise
• Support and facilitate cross-training efforts
• Provide coverage for peers when needed

5. Maintain regular and punctual attendance
Other Duties and Responsibilities
1. Complete special projects
2. Prepare various reports and surveys for outside entities
3. Fulfill internal requests for financial information and assistance
4. Compose requests for proposals for vendors on an as-needed basis
5. Attend after-hours City Council meetings on an as-needed basis
6. Assist in formal presentations to City Council and other groups interested in the financial condition of the City
7. Audit financial records of various businesses that are regulated by and/or have contractual obligations with the City to determine compliance with applicable laws and contracts
8. Perform special reviews or audits as requested
9. Must have flexibility to adjust schedule based on operational demands
Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the Citys discretion.

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Required :

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with major course work in accounting or governmental finance
• Passing score on comprehensive testing to assess knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Preferred :

• At least two (2) years of experience in governmental accounting and fiscal operations
• Working knowledge of JD Edwards Financial Management System
• Professional certification including Certified Public Accountant, Certified Public Finance Officer, Certified Internal Auditor, etc.
• Professional internal audit experience

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
Physical Requirements
Work is sedentary in nature, and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for:

• Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods
• Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder, and twisting to file documents and lift supplies and material; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, material, and supplies
• Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling of up to twenty-five (25) pounds with dollies and carts

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is constantly performed indoors and is primarily sedentary office work. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office, including six-drawer filing cabinets when needed. Exposure to periods of high activity and high stress under demanding conditions. The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, the public, and outside agencies.
Required Materials and Equipment
This position requires the use of a personal computer, fax machine, photocopier, printer, telephone, document imaging equipment, ten-key, and other office equipment as required.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Background checks will include employment references and criminal history, and when applicable, credit check, drivers license record, and education verification
• Drug screen
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
• A comprehensive written test may be given to assess knowledge of accounting principles and practices as it relates to government prior to an interview