Accountant

Job Description
The City of High Point's Financial Services Department/Accounting & Reporting Division seeks to fill the Accountant position (I or II, depending on qualifications).
The accountant performs technical and professional work in the maintenance and preparation of complex financial records; and does related work as required. Work is performed under periodic general supervision of the Accounting Manager.
Essential Tasks
* Prepares and maintains accounting records and systems;
* Analyzes and assembles statistical and accounting data and prepares periodic State and Federal reports;
* Prepares reconciliation on various accounts regularly, journalizes general ledger, and performs all related duties;
* Maintains related accounting records and systems;
* Assists external auditors with annual audit and assists with preparation of theAnnual Comprehensive Financial Report;
* Reviews current accounting procedures and recommends needed improvements andprocedural changes;
* Variety of other general accounting assignments, including assisting City staff with financial matters;
* Reviews, verifies and reconciles daily cash transactions to the general ledger; including monthly bank reconciliations;
* Cross-trains and provides backup in other departmental responsibilities.
Other Accountant II essential tasks (in addition to the above):
* Develops and maintains appropriate accounting records with regard to grants, multi-year financial project management, and trial balances;
* Maintains general ledger accounts, checks balances, verifies financial data, and prepares financial reports and statements;
* Analyzes and reconciles subsidiary and general ledger accounts as needed with added emphasis on accounts related to payroll, assets, property taxes, grants, cash, capital projects, and utilities.
Qualifications
* Four-year degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or related field and 1-year experience in accounting.
* Must have comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and practices of accounting; thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing municipal financial matters; thorough knowledge of the reconciliation of general ledger and balance sheet accounts; thorough knowledge of grant control, capital assets control, accounting and budgeting methods and procedures; thorough knowledge of modern office methods, practices and equipment; ability to analyze and prepare complex financial reports and records;
* Soft skills critical to the role: takes ownership, ability to multitask and prioritize, flexible, adaptable, collaborative and willing to take on new challenges.
* Must possess strong communication skills (verbal and written); should be comfortable working with any level of employee or manager.
* A self-starter with a strong ability to multitask and work on multiple positions at once is a vital part of this role as well as being organized and flexible.
* Ability to think critically and anticipate issues, and proactively suggest short/long-term solutions.
* Must be highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Word.
* NC Driver's License.
Typical schedule is Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.
Preferred Skills
* Extensive work in governmental accounting.
* North Carolina CPA or NCLGFO.
Physical Requirements
Hearing/Speaking - Expressing and/or receiving information by means of spoken word are both necessary to converse with internal and external customers including co-workers, citizens, and applicants.
Visual Abilities - the ability to perceive via eyesight is required for this position:
* Acuity, far - clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Must be able to see from a distance when administering and observing employment tests, operating a motor vehicle, or addressing an audience.
* Acuity, near - clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Must be able to see work-related business documents close at hand.
* Depth perception - Three-dimensional vision and the ability to judge distance and space relationships.
* Field of Vision - the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes are focused on one point. Must be able to see a wide span of area.
* Accommodation - Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly.
Physical Strength - degree of physical demands typically associated with this position include:
* Light Work
* Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and/or
* Exerting up to 10 pounds of force frequently; and
* A negligible amount of force constantly to handle or move materials related to the position.
* Type of Physical Demands
* Reaching - Extending the hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
* Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand(s).
* Fingering - Picking, pinching or otherwise working with fingers primarily rather than the entire hand or arm.
Mental Activity/Requirements
Reasoning:
* Ability to apply principles of logical thinking combined with knowledge of principles and practices of public personnel and employment laws to work tasks and handle practical situations, comprehend, and respond to a variety of situations in a timely fashion and exercise good judgment.
Mathematics Ability:
* Using arithmetic and/or Statistics: Ability to direct and oversee the use of arithmetic and/or statistics in the preparation of a variety of tests and reports.
Language Ability:
* The ability to speak, read and write the English Language are required for this position.
Environmental Conditions
Physical Surroundings:
* The Human Resources Analyst is subject to working inside or outdoors.
Hazards:
* There are no occupational hazards typically associated with this position.
Machinery/Tools/Work Aids/Other Equipment:
* Equipment regularly associated with office-based work.
Our Commitments
The City of High Point is committed to be an Equal Opportunity Employer which celebrates diversity and seeks to attract and retain the best qualified partners in service to the Citizens of the City of High Point. The City of High Point is an at-will employer and employees may be terminated or may terminate their employment at any time with or without reason for any reason not prohibited by law.
The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly and equitably for the work they do weighed with both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this "living document" as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended.
The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment to all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a physical to determine whether they will be able to safely complete the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation (b.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City's drug and alcohol policy and (c.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. Successful results from all three of these conditions will result in an offer of employment.