Job Description
Entry Level Accountant
GENERAL PURPOSE ****
Performs advanced and complex technical and administrative accounting work.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED ****
Works under the general supervision of the Finance Director/Treasurer
SUPERVISION EXERCISED ****
This position does not supervise subordinates. However, the position will provide direction to accounting clerks of the Finance/Treasurer Office. Further, the position will provide direction and training to City staff as necessary.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ****
Accounting Duties ****
Perform advanced administrative and complex accounting tasks with direction from the Director. Maintain a complete set of computerized accounting records for all City funds.
Post correcting and reoccurring journal entries and reconciles accounts (includes monthly admin/interfund charges, liabilities, fleet allocations, etc.)
Review and reconcile all appropriate accounts and maintain supporting documentation.
May assist Property Tax and Cash Manager with Tax administration duties including researching property information, annual tax season processes, and delinquent and settlement activities.
Initiate and maintain communications, submissions, and reporting to insurance companies on claims, adds/deletes, and annual renewals. Utilize insurance information for related interfund allocations. Assist City staff on insurance requirements required from vendors. Understand insurance auto and property claim rules and methods.
Maintain fixed asset system including develop and/or implement procedures for capitalization, disposals, constructions in progress, and depreciation. Draft year end reports and footnotes for annual audit.
Assist in maintaining retiree benefit information for Boards, Actuary, and Retirees. This may include preparing and processing retiree final average compensation and straight life benefit for review and submission to actuary. Reviewing estimate and final calculations with employees. Providing for annual data updates for Actuarial studies and required annual reports for both Pension and Retiree Health Care. Create financial reports for submission to Pension and Retiree Health boards
Accounting and reporting for all City grants, coordinating with applicable City departments.
May prepare monthly and annual financial reports for all City funds as assigned including reconciliations between support schedules/modules and general ledger for all balance sheet accounts.
Review and evaluate budget to actual on a recurring schedule for assigned funds. Assist departments in assigned areas when applicable, stay informed of City Council purchasing decisions.
Evaluate, update, and coordinate fund and department budgets as necessary throughout the year.
Prepare supporting schedules as required for external auditors and assist auditors in the audit process to complete the financial audit, single audit, and any other year end reports as assigned.
Support chart of account management and financial module upgrades and changes. Manage, monitor, and reconcile Federal awards.
Manage the annual Metro Act report.
Provide support for TIFA, Brownfield, and DDA financial matters at the direction of senior staff. Manage Fleet related allocations and budget schedules. Evaluate and update Fleet overhead costs and vehicle insurance costs. Manage vehicle inventory, disposals, and additions of vehicles and other equipment.
Assist with management of AP process including entering invoices and other check requests for payment; match invoices with purchase orders; review all invoices for accuracy; verify account numbers for proper assignment of budget expenditure; resolve disputes within area of authority and responsibility. May process voided checks and preparing monthly outstanding checklist.
Payroll Process Duties ****
Maintain or create new employee master files including compilation of earnings, accrual balances (vacation, sick leave, personal time, floating holidays, and comp time), insurance, social security and other withholding and income tax records. Review wages, other earnings, and deductions and correct prior period errors to ensure accuracy and completeness of payroll.
Compile, import, and update payroll data such as hours worked, other earnings (longevity, merit, sick payout etc.), taxes, and various withholdings to be withheld, from time sheets and other records to initiate bi- weekly payroll. Maintenance of leave banks. Adherence to collective bargaining agreements.
Complete payments for all payroll related benefits to vendors.
Distribute payroll checks and auto deposits to City departments.
Complete all bank processes timely to ensure meeting appropriate bank deadlines.
Communicate payroll schedule changes, payroll related news, and any changes to forms or processes to all departments as needed.
May train others on biweekly payroll processing.
File all payroll related reports monthly, quarterly, and annually as required. Reconcile general ledger to various payroll reports, including 941 and MESC reporting.
Responsible for complete management of the Annual Workers Comp audit. This includes analyzing changes and ensuring appropriate classifications to maintain costs.
Reconcile Due From Employees accounts.
Manage and process annual W-2’s, escheats to state, and timely unemployment reporting (work with HR on initial unemployment claims).
Manage and prepare annual personal mileage tax reports.
Create appropriate bank files and transmittals to effect ACH and Positive pay files ensuring all are completed timely.
Manage and maintain all procurement card users including authorizations, limits, lock outs, reinstatements, and fraudulent charges.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES ****
Take part in training, webinars, and conferences to remain current and aware of legislation, grant opportunities and requirements, funding, reporting, and other topics affecting governmental operations, accounting, and trends.
May serve as a member of various employee committees.
Assist with questions regarding the purchasing system. Provide training and instruction to various employees on use of purchasing and/or accounts payable system.
Provide secondary support to accounting clerks when necessary, interacting with escalated issues from vendors.
Prepare periodic financial, statistical, or operational reports as assigned.
Provide back-up to other related positions when necessary and as assigned including front counter and cashier related functions.
Provide support to accounting clerks as necessary for any function.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ****
Education and Experience:
(A) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in accounting (preferred) or, finance, or business administration, and
(B) Two years of progressively more responsible financial accounting work, governmental accounting experience preferred or
(C) Any equivalent combination of education and experience. An associate degree with adequate experience is also desirable.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
(A) Knowledge of accounting theory, principles, and practices (governmental preferred); knowledge of internal control procedures and management information systems; working knowledge of office automation and computerized financial applications; knowledge of public finance and fiscal planning; working knowledge of payroll and accounts payable functions; knowledge of budgetary, accounting and reporting systems, GAAFR, GAAP and GASB.
(B) Skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.
(C) Ability to prepare and analyze complex financial reports; ability to maintain efficient and effective financial systems and procedures; ability to accurately account for city funds.
(D) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and city officials; ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED ****
Personal computer, including spreadsheet and word processing software; central financial computer system; telephone; 10-key calculator; copy machine; fax machine. Advanced experience with Excel software.
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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT ****
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
SELECTION GUIDELINES ****
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and background check; conditional offer of employment; post offer medical examination; drug screening and psychological exam; additional job-related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Company Description
Branex Group is headquartered in Auburn Hills, MI and is a certified Women’s owned business through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). We have a leadership team with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of growth within the staffing industry. Branex Group was founded to fill the void that regional and national companies have due to a large client base, ultimately resulting in a limited talent pool. Ironically in the staffing industry, the longer that you have been in business and the more clients that you have, the fewer companies you are able to recruit candidates from due to contractual obligations. Because of an unemployment rate at nearly 0% in the technical field this has created an obstacle for some of the most successful staffing companies and hurt the hiring goals of clients that engage them.
Branex Group is headquartered in Auburn Hills, MI and is a certified Women’s owned business through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). We have a leadership team with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of growth within the staffing industry. Branex Group was founded to fill the void that regional and national companies have due to a large client base, ultimately resulting in a limited talent pool. Ironically in the staffing industry, the longer that you have been in business and the more clients that you have, the fewer companies you are able to recruit candidates from due to contractual obligations. Because of an unemployment rate at nearly 0% in the technical field this has created an obstacle for some of the most successful staffing companies and hurt the hiring goals of clients that engage them.