Senior Accountant

CITY OF MADISON HEIGHTS SENIOR ACCOUNTANT JOB DESCRIPTION
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
To perform professional advanced professional accounting work in the maintenance, analysis, reconciliation, and review the City’s financial records and systems.
Maintains and analyzes financial records and a complete set of accounts in accordance with established accounting practices, municipal accounting standards, and applicable policies and procedures. Performs complex accounting and financial analysis and provides technical support to the Finance Director/Treasurer and Deputy Finance Director/Treasurer.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work is performed under the direction of the Deputy Finance Director/Treasurer or designee. The employee is expected to plan and perform assigned responsibilities with considerable independence, exercise sound judgement in solving complex accounting issues and ensure accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of financial information without constant supervision.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Supervision may be exercised over part-time clerical staff or as assigned by the Department Head. The position may provide technical guidance, training, and review work performed by other Finance Department staff.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Utilizing in depth knowledge of acceptable accounting practices and municipal accounting guidelines, maintain and analyze complete accounts including subsidiary, general ledger, budgetary, and control accounts; prepare and review monthly journal entries; perform month-end and year-end closing activities; and prepare and analyze financial statement and related schedules.
Account for payroll and payroll liabilities, reconcile payroll-related accounts and employee general fund; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
Prepare and analyze wage and fringe benefit schedules for each employee by department for use in budget process; assist with analysis of personnel costs and budget projections.
Maintain and reconcile accounts for police and fire pension plan including all schedules for investments, contributions, and payments; prepare reports for actuary report; prepare annual statements for pension plan participants.
Create, maintain, and improve financial and management reports within the City’s accounting and budgeting system; research and resolve reporting issues and recommend improvements to financial reporting processes. Prepare and review annual financial statements, audit schedules, supporting documentation, and other materials required for the City’s annual audit and financial reporting. Assist in annual budget preparation; creating schedules, assisting departments, and enter budget adjustments.
Assist with the preparation of the City’s annual financial statements and audit by developing audit schedules, responding to auditor requests, researching accounting issues, and ensuring supporting documentation is complete and accurate.
Assist with grant accounting and financial reporting, including reviewing expenditures for compliance with applicable grant requirements and reconciling grant activities to the general ledger.
Assist with the administration and maintenance of the City’s fixed assets records, including additional disposals, transfers, reconciliation, and related journal entries.
Establish and maintain effective working relations, and work pleasantly and effectively with elected officials, department heads, supervisors, employees, other governmental agencies and the general public even during stressful situations.
Perform related work as required.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance or a related field.
Minimum three years’ experience progressively responsible professional accounting experience, demonstrated experience performing complex reconciliations, financial analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, and/or audit support.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee primarily works in an office setting. Onsite visits and/or meetings where varying conditions exist may be necessary on occasion.
The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position for much of the workday. The employee must also be capable of moving from the desk area to the public counter to complete transactions with residents, contractors, and employees. The employee frequently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a telephone, calculator, copy machine and printer. The person in this position frequently moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery etc. The person in this position constantly communicates with Councilmembers, staff and general public. Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally in all situations.

Advertisement