Accountant, Financial Reporting, Accounting Manager

Performs responsible professional accounting work in the preparation and maintenance of complex financial records. Responsible for management of grants, FEMA awards, capital assets, bond proceeds, and project funds; prepares various monthly reconciliations and audit schedules; does related work as required. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Accounting Manager, with technical guidance and review from the Senior Accountant and/or Accounting Manager as appropriate.

Preparing and maintaining grant, FEMA, capital asset, bond, and project fund accounting records; submission of reimbursement requests; preparing reconciliations, work papers, reports, and audit records; coordinating documentation with budget, purchasing, project, and accounting and external department staff; identifying unusual accounting, coding, timing, reimbursement, or documentation issues for review. (The following tasks are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed.

The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Establishes and maintains grants, FEMA awards, capital assets, bonds, project funds, and related accounting files. Prepares and submits grant and FEMA reimbursements, reports, audit work papers, and related reconciliations.
• Ensures grant and FEMA awards maintain compliance with award agreements, City policies, state statutes, and federal regulations.
• Responsible for the preparation and recording of fixed assets, including additions, disposals, transfers, and construction‑in‑progress projects; prepares depreciation work papers, reconciles fixed asset records to the general ledger, and maintains supporting documentation to ensure compliance.
• Tracks bond proceeds and project fund activity for general obligation and revenue bond projects; prepares related accounting support and summaries.
• Prepares assigned balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, monthly project fund reconciliation packages, and follows up on reconciling items.
• Coordinates with the Budget Administrator to tie grant, project, bond, and capital asset activity to budget, CIP, project authorisation and funding records.
• Prepares audit schedules and supporting documentation for grants, FEMA awards, fixed assets, project funds, bond proceeds, and related accounting areas.
• Coordinates with accounting, purchasing, and departmental staff to ensure complete and accurate documentation for contracts, vendor records, p‑card transactions, projects, grants, and audit requests.
• Reviews assigned accounting activities for completeness, coding accuracy, proper period, consistency, and logical agreement to source records before submitting for review.
• Flags unusual accounting treatment, coding, timing, reimbursement, documentation, internal control, or policy issues for Senior Accountant and/or Accounting Manager review.
• Serves as a backup for key accounting functions and assists staff with daily operations, month‑end activities, reconciliations, reporting, and special projects as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

General knowledge of accounting theory, principles, methods, and practices as applied to governmental accounting; working knowledge of grant accounting, reimbursement documentation, capital assets, project accounting, bond‑funded projects, reconciliations, internal controls, and audit support; ability to prepare accurate work papers, schedules, reconciliations, journal entry support, and reports; ability to research discrepancies, organise work, meet deadlines, follow oral and written directions, use financial systems and spreadsheets, communicate effectively, perform work independently, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, departments, auditors, vendors and other stakeholders.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited community college with major coursework in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field and considerable experience in general accounting, governmental accounting, grants, fixed asset accounting, project accounting, or closely related financial work.

Possession of an appropriate driver’s licence valid in the State of North Carolina.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE REQUIRED ON FINAL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CANDIDATE(S).

* THE CITY OF NEW BERN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.*