Junior Accountant Temporary

Position Description

Summary

In this role, you will gain experience and learn essential industry skills by performing accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliation, and other projects. You will help ensure our records are consistent with all submitted financial statements. As a Junior Accountant, you will provide financial information to management by research and analyzing accounting data and preparing reports.  With assistance and guidance, you will prepare journal entries for the general ledger.

This is a temporary position, not to exceed 12 months. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

1. Reviewing invoices for adequacy and entering Accounts Payable
2. Guides staff by coordinating activities, answering questions and resolving accounts payable issues with internal and external customers.
3. Scheduling and preparing payments; resolving purchase order, contract, invoice, or payment discrepancies and documentation; insuring credit is received for outstanding memos; request stop-payments to accountants or purchase order amendments to procurement specialist.
4. Reconciles processed work by verifying entries and comparing system reports to balances.
5. Charges expenses to accounts and cost centers by analyzing invoice/expense reports, recording entries. 
6. Maintains historical records in Document Manager
7. Ensures contract balances are not exceeded with payments made.   
8. Substantiate financial transactions by auditing documents.
9. Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards related to all authority accounts. 
10. Maintains capital assets.
11. Assists general and senior accountants by performing general ledger duties such as bank reconciliations, preparing journal entries, balancing general ledgers, inter-company funds and check processing for multiple entities, programs, and grants on the accrual basis of accounting.
12. Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential.
13. Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.
14. Recommends financial actions by analyzing accounting options.
15. Reconcile financial discrepancies by collecting and analyzing account information.
16. Maintains financial security by following internal controls.
17. Complies with federal, state, and local financial legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions.
18. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
19. Assists Finance Department Staff during the audit.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies 

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Job Knowledge: Exhibits requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position effectively. Demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the assigned organizational entity of the Authority; uses appropriate judgment & decision making in accordance with level of responsibility.

Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges.  Actively assists others without formal/informal direction.  Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback.  Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.

Safety Awareness: Employee is cognizant of his/her surroundings.  Follows proper safety procedures and considers the safety of self and others.  Identifies, communicates, and assists in the correction of any safety concerns where appropriate.

Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors, and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers.

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Reliability: Employee demonstrates sound reasoning and critical thinking by making decisions in line with established Authority expectations.  Perform work in a reliable manner that is both accurate and timely. Ensures a positive record of attendance. 

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness. Holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work and does fair share of work.

Education and/or Experience

Must have or be working toward a associate’s degree in accounting. 

One (1) years of experience in accounting through a combination of school and work. Must be able to work in MS Office environment and bookkeeping software.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable under the Authority’s plan.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and Outlook). Proficiency with SACS or other Accounting Software. Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks. 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting, standing, operating computers and other office equipment, moving about in the office, and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to communicate via email and verbally via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds. 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.