The City of Grand Forks is looking for an Accountant or a Grant Accountant, Senior level position depending on qualifications to perform and assist with various professional financial and accounting functions as well as assisting in the development and implementation of related policies and procedures. This position focuses on grant fiscal management to include federal, state, and local cost reporting, reimbursement of grant funds, and assisting in the preparation of the required annual Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards and reports associated with federal funds allocated to Community Development Services and Public Transit.
Grant Accountant, Senior level functions:
Essential Functions:
1. Work with the Assistant Director of Finance to develop and enhance finance systems, including policies, procedures, practices and information systems that are efficient and ensure good controls for all grant accounting, compliance, and reporting;
2. Set up of project accounting for proper tracking of grant funds and expenditures for Community Development Services and Public Transit;
3. Prepare and distribute monthly federal, state, and local reports for Community Development Services and Public Transit;
4. Prepare and submit grant cost reimbursements on a monthly and/or quarterly basis for Community Development Services and Public Transit;
5. Coordinates information flow between various departments including grant reporting, grant fund accounting, draw down of funds relating to grants, and annual grants;
6. Research, interpret, and apply complex federal regulations.
7. Under direction of the Assistant Finance Director, prepares journal entries, account reconciliation, and financial statements for Public Transit and related grant programs and projects; develops and posts entries as necessary for error corrections, program accounting, and grant budget adjustments.
8. Interacts with others in the work unit and across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
Annual Audit: Provide information required for annual audit, which includes information necessary to complete the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards:
1. Create and maintain audit work papers that support the CAFR in formats acceptable to independent CPAs
2. Identify any discrepancies or inconsistencies in reporting systems or internal controls and notify management
4. Recommends changes when deficiencies are observed
Community Development Services: Responsible for the timely and accurate grant and financial reporting for the Community Development Services and Job Development Authority.
1. Work directly with Community Development Services managers to ensure all financial reporting and compliance requirements related to grants are met;
2. Prepare and submit financial status reports as needed for Urban Development;
3. Coordinates the preparation of data for all federal and state agency audits and/or reviews of Community Development Services and related programs;
4. Assists in budget preparation for the Community Development Services Office;
5. Preform sub-grantee financial monitoring and review.
Public Transit: Responsible for the timely and accurate grant reporting for Public Transit and related grants.
1. Work directly with Public Transit managers to ensure all reporting and compliance requirements related to grants are met;
2. Responsible for timely and accurate grant reporting.
3. Prepare and submit quarterly financial status reports for Public Transit and related grants.
4. Coordinates the preparation of data for all federal and state agency audits and/or compliance reviews of Public Transit and related grants.
5. Assists in budget preparation for all Public Transit and related grant funded projects.
Marginal Functions:
1. Interact with grantor agencies.
2. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.
Accountant level functions:Essential Functions:
1. Perform professional accounting activities involving the maintenance of a variety of accounts, general ledgers and financial records; perform special reporting, loan and project funding maintenance.
2. Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards and specifications. Plan, direct and coordinate and review the financial services work plan; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems. Work with employees to correct deficiencies.
3. Plan, direct and participate in maintaining the accuracy and completeness of general ledger accounts and financial records.
4. Perform monthly general ledger adjustments and month end closing, including balancing cash, work in progress, accounts receivable and accounts payable.
5. Perform professional accounting activities including, assisting in the year end processing and making accrual entries.
6. Prepare required financial work papers, provide justification and conduct necessary research for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Annual Audit.
7. Maintain inventory records; update information in the database, coordinate compiling of inventory reports, and assist auditors in coordinating and conducting physical inventory. Coordinates and maintains records of items and services of inventory for City departments.
8. Serve as a financial resource to various departments, organizations and outside agencies; provide information regarding a variety of accounts, revenues and expenditures and special assessments.
9. Conduct a variety of cost accounting studies; recommend modifications to existing cost accounting programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.
10. Assist the Special Assessment Coordinator with the administration of special assessments.
11. Assist the Budget Officer with the performance measures.
12. Assist departments in the proper classification of revenues and expenditures.
13. Recommend and implement changes in accounting and auditing systems and procedures.
14. Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
15. Perform other duties and activities as assigned.
When assigned to Special Assessments:
1. Responsible for coordinating Specialist Assessment Committee meetings and taking minutes.
2. Multiple duties associated with the special assessment process including:
Provide information for special assessment inquiries
Knowledge: Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), government accounting standards (GASB) and fund accounting procedures; Knowledge of principles, procedures and practices of grant administration, particularly recording keeping, reporting, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement; Knowledge of reimbursement procedures for government programs.
Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Perform financial calculations, analysis and reporting; Skill in organization and prioritization of work; Skill in communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with team, coworkers, supervisor, the general public, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction; Skill in the use of computer-aided accounting tools such as spreadsheets, graphics and other software packages.
Abilities: Ability to work independently; Communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; Understand and follow oral and written instructions; Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports; Interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures and program goals, objectives and procedures.
Supervisory Controls:
The supervisor assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.
Guidelines:
Guidelines include Office of Management and Budget supplements, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
Complexity/Scope of Work:
The work consists of varied accounting, administrative, and supervisory functions. Strict reporting requirements and due dates contribute to the complexity of the position.
The purpose of this position is to provide professional accounting support for the management of a variety of grants. Success in this position helps to ensure compliance with grant requirements.
Contacts:
Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city personnel, representatives from a variety of granting agencies, and members of the general public.
Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, to motivate or influence persons, or to justify, defend, or negotiate matters.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
Most work is performed in a normal office environment. Work requires use of a computer, telephone and other office equipment. There is high attention to detail and deadlines. Work is generally light with considerable variety. Daily work may involve moving between buildings and rooms. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position has direct supervision over Accounting Specialist.
Accountant level Qualifications:
Knowledge: Generally accepted accounting principles and procedures; Principles and practices of budgeting; Principles and practices of financial auditing; Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers; Financial research and report preparation methods and techniques; Automated accounting and financial management systems. Ability to gain knowledge and familiarity with State Century Code that governs Special Assessments when assigned special assessment duties.
Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Maintain mental capacity, which allows for effective interaction and communication with others; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties. Strong attention to detail.
Abilities: Develop and implement accounting system modifications; Analyze and interpret complex financial and accounting records; Prepare a variety of complex financial statements, reports and analyses; Utilize computer equipment and software to produce complex reports, informational items, tracking systems and related documents; Examine and verify a wide variety of financial documents and reports. Operate a computer including a variety of software programs; Work independently in the absence of supervisors. Ability to understand and analyze special assessment maps when assigned special assessment duties.
Supervisory Controls:
The supervisor assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.
Guidelines:
Guidelines include Governmental Accounting Board (GASB) guidelines, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
Complexity/Scope of Work:
The work consists of varied financial accounting duties. Strict regulations and the need for accuracy contribute to the complexity of the position.
The purpose of this position is to perform professional accounting functions in support of assigned department operations. Success in this position contributes to the accuracy of the citys financial transactions and records.
Contacts:
Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city personnel, elected and appointed officials, bankers, realtors, representatives of other taxing entities, and members of the general public.
Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, or to justify or negotiate matters.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
Office environment; works with computers; Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position may have direct supervision over assigned personnel.
Grant Accountant, Senior
Experience:
Four or more years of increasingly responsible governmental accounting experience or financial management with emphasis in grant administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Education or Training:
A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Accounting.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid driver's license; valid Certified Public Accountant certificate preferred.
Accountant:
Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional accounting experience, including financial analysis and /or investment experience preferably in a government setting.
Training:
Equivalent to a bachelors degree from an accredited college in Accounting.
License or Certificate:
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver's license.