Accounting Specialist

Performs a wide range of professional and technical accounting duties to support the City's financial operations. Responsibilities include maintaining accurate financial records, preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, assisting with budget development, and ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and relevant regulations. The position also leads the management and collection of business license fees and food and beverage tax and supports department staff and management with data analysis and reporting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

* The following duties are normal for this position.  However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily.  Other duties may also be required or assigned.

* Perform professional and technical accounting duties in support of City operations, ensuring accurate maintenance of general, revenue, and expenditure ledgers and subsidiary systems. Ensure transactions are recorded in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), state regulations, and City financial policies.

* Reconcile and audit accounting records, including bank statements, accounts payable and payroll clearing funds, credit card transactions, cash receipts, and Treasurer's checks. Identify and resolve discrepancies to ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data.

* Oversee the billing, collection, and recording of business licenses and food and beverage tax. Reconcile and audit records to ensures compliance with Ashland Municipal Code.

* Coordinate and maintain fixed asset records, including the scheduling and execution of periodic physical inventories. Track capital assets in accordance with regulatory standards.

* Provide budgetary and financial planning support, including cost analysis, fund forecasting, and the preparation of personnel cost estimates, severance evaluations, and position costing spreadsheets based on management assumptions.

* Produce regular and special financial reports and summaries, verifying results against source data. Perform trend and variance analysis on revenue streams and cost centers as directed.

* Support technology integration within the Accounting Division, including:

* Building data connections between internal databases (e.g., ERP and transparency software),

* Creating complex Excel formulas and pivot tables,

* Training staff and department users on financial systems and data reporting tools.

* Manage sensitive financial data related to union negotiations, personnel cost modeling, and compensation analysis; ensure strict confidentiality of sensitive information.

* Assist with the development of the annual budget, including departmental coordination, data compilation, document preparation, and performance monitoring throughout the budget cycle.

* Support audit processes, preparing schedules and financial documentation for internal and external audits; assist auditors in meeting all compliance requirements.

* Prepare and maintain financial schedules that support budget planning and audit processes, focusing on accuracy, accessibility, and up-to-date information for reporting needs.

* Maintain written procedures and internal documentation for accounting functions, updating as needed to reflect changes in systems, policies, and best practices.

* Work collaboratively across departments, providing accurate financial information, supporting team objectives, and delivering excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.

* Provide assistance to accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll as assigned, including telephone relief and assistance as necessary.

* Maintain proficiency by attending training conferences and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility.

* Follow all established safety protocols and procedures applicable to work areas and City policies.

* Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

* Two (2) years of accounting/financial experience.

* Possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, an Oregon driver license by the time of appointment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Previous experience in a government organization.

SUBSTITUTION

* Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job proficiently may substitute for the above requirements.

KNOWLEDGE,

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

* Principles and practices of governmental accounting and auditing, including general ledger, fund accounting, and financial reporting requirements.

* Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines.

* Principles and practices of internal auditing and financial controls, including…