Accountant, Financial Reporting, Accounting Manager

Position: Accountant 1, 2 or 3
Location: Airway Heights

Job Title:

Accountant 1 (entry), Accountant 2 (mid), or Accountant 3 (senior)

Department:
Finance

Reports To:

Finance Director

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Location:

City Hall

Salary: 2026 Annual Salary Schedule

Accountant 1 (entry) $60,000 - $71,643

Accountant 2 (mid) $75,000 - $89,554

Accountant 3 (senior) $90,000 - $107,465

GENERAL PURPOSE

Responsible for all accounting related activities, including high-level accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, payroll and finance activities of the city. Performs technical and administrative accounting work in maintaining the fiscal records and systems of the city.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Assists with Budget Preparation:
  Supports the preparation of operating budgets and budget document worksheets. Assists with financial information summaries for department directors.
• Cost Control and Budget Monitoring:
  Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget, performs cost control activities, monitors revenues and expenditures, and supports annual budget requests and preparation.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Prepares Financial Reports:
  Prepares a variety of studies, reports, and related financial information for decision-making purposes. Prepares annual financial reports, closes year-end general ledger, and prepares notes to the financial statements.
• Financial Reconciliation:
  Makes journal entries to balance and close books in general ledger, revenue, and expense accounts. Reconciles general ledger and subsidiary accounts. Prepares and posts adjusting journal entries and reconciles bank accounts and appropriate tax reports.
• Periodic and Comparative Reporting:
  Prepares periodic reports and reports with budget-to-actual information. Performs periodic financial studies and analysis.

Internal Controls and Compliance

• Oversees Internal Controls:
  Oversees the implementation of internal controls, ensures report compliance, and manages transaction reporting processes.
• Audit Liaison:
  Acts as a liaison with external audit staff, assists in implementing reporting changes, and communicates audit outcomes to upper management or the council.

Financial Systems and Procedures

• Maintain Financial Systems:
  Maintains BARS chart of account codes for the accounting system and posts documents with correct BARS account numbers.
• Supports and Standardizes Procedures:
  Supports and prepares work procedures, expedites workflow, and studies and standardizes procedures to improve operational efficiency.
• Processes Payroll and Payroll-Related Taxes:
  Manages payroll processing, including calculating wages, deducting taxes, and ensuring compliance with payroll regulations and tax requirements.
• Processes Accounts Payable Invoices:
  Manages the A/P process from invoice entry to vendor payment.
• Utility Billing:
  Manages the utility billing process, reviews usage data for accuracy, works with public works department to ensure timely payment or shut-off notices for delinquent payments.
• Process Accounts Receivable Invoices:
  Manages the A/R process for transaction reconciliations to requests for reimbursements; specific to capital projects and grants and contracts.

Cost Savings and Efficiency

• Identifies Cost Savings:
  Identifies cost savings opportunities by analyzing operational efficiencies, staff utilization, reporting functions, and resource needs.

Communication and Public Relations

• Makes Presentations:
  Delivers presentations to boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public.
• Interacts with Customers:
  Receipts utility payments, answers customer questions, and supports public records requests.

Miscellaneous Duties

• Performs Related Duties:
  Performs related duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Serves as a member of various committees.

• Provides back-up to other related positions.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Accountant 1:
Entry-level

• Graduation from an accredited two-year college or university with an associate's degree in accounting, business, finance or a closely related field, and/or

• 0-5 years of accounting experience;

• Expect high levels of supervision and teaching and training needed to complete job duties.

Accountant 2:
Mid-level

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance or a closely related field, and/or

• 5-10 years of accounting experience;

• Expect mid-level of supervision and teaching and training needed to complete job duties.

Accountant 3:
Senior-level

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance or a closely related field, a master's degree will count towards 2 years of experience, and/or

• Over 10 years of accounting experience;

• Expect limited supervision and teaching and training needed to complete job duties.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Traits:

• Thorough knowledge of double entry accounting theory, principles, and practices, auditing theory and practices; internal control…