Accountant IV - For City Employees Only

Job Description:

Accountant IV - For City Employees Only

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to accounting, twenty-four (24) college semester hours in accounting plus four (4) years of accounting experience.
• One (1) year of experience as lead or supervisor.
• A Master’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration may substitute for one (1) year of accounting experience.
• A CPA may substitute for the required four-year degree.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None

Notes to Applicants
Position Overview:

This Accountant IV in the Internal Controls team will be responsible for preparing complex financial statements and reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing account information and trends. This includes applying advanced knowledge of accounting principles, particularly Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ( GAAP ), to ensure compliance with reporting standards. The role will involve preparing audit work papers for both annual and special audits, ensuring proper documentation and adherence to audit requirements. Additionally, the Accountant IV will manage complex projects that involve researching and interpreting new accounting standards and regulations to ensure the organization remains compliant with industry changes. A key responsibility will be approving the posting of account transactions, ensuring that all transactions are processed in accordance with city policies, applicable laws, regulations, and sound business practices. The position will also require the ability to resolve account discrepancies by performing detailed reconciliations and analyzing transaction records. The Accountant IV will work closely with department staff and external customers, providing guidance on financial and procedural matters and assisting with both automated and manual systems to address any issues or answer questions.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in accounting, including the preparation and analysis of financial statements, as well as a deep understanding of GAAP and accounting standards. A proven ability to manage complex audits, financial projects, and account reconciliations is essential. The candidate must also possess strong communication skills to effectively explain financial concepts and procedures to non-financial stakeholders, along with a solid knowledge of accounting systems and financial reporting tools.

Who We Are:
Our department provides a variety of financial services and programs. The Financial Services Department ( FSD ) serves residents, vendors, and City departments.

Our mission is to serve as a trusted steward of public resources with integrity and accountability to ensure a fiscally sound city.

Our staff supports a wide variety of financial processes, including preparing the annual budget and annual fiscal report, procurement processes, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, and overseeing the City’s investment portfolio and debt management.

As an internal support function within the larger City organization, FSD is proud to serve and act as a leader in financial management to its partner departments.

Click here to read more about us online!

Why Join Us?

Meaningful Work
Contribute to projects that improve the lives of the people in our community.

Innovation and Collaboration
Collaborate with diverse and talented teams, leveraging technology, continuous improvement, and best practices to drive progress in a variety of financial programs.

Professional Growth and Development
Achieve your professional goals. FSD offers opportunities to advance in multiple career paths, as well as a wide variety of learning opportunities.

Work-Life Balance
Enjoy a balanced lifestyle in a city renowned for its quality of life, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.

Hybrid Work Environment:

The City of Austin Flexible Work Arrangement Program is designed to empower employees and leaders to establish hybrid work arrangements that promote high levels of performance and engagement. Staff may be eligible to telework up to 60%/week. Work schedules are implemented to meet department requirements and are subject to change based on business needs.

Health and Wellness

The City of Austin is committed to providing cost-effective, sustainable benefits that assist employees in being physically and mentally well. For employees that are covered, this includes low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more.

Click here to review the City of Austin’s Employee Benefits Guide .

Click here to watch a short City of Austin Employment Video .

Application Details:

• A detailed, complete COA employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position.
• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.
• When completing the City of Austin employment application, the work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• A cover letter is required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.
• A résumé is also required, but will not substitute for a complete COA employment application.
• Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview.

Additional Details:

• The Financial Services Department may close this job posting at any time after it has been advertised for seven (7) days, please apply as soon as possible if interested.
• This position may require a skills assessment.
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED equivalent, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required.
• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, we may contact your current and former employer, as well as the references listed in your application. Please be sure you have listed at least 3 previous supervisors in the application with correct contact information.
• If you are identified as a top military candidate or a veteran, you must provide a copy of your DD-214.

Travel:

If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy:

When the same or an additional vacancy occurs within a department in the same job title within 90 days after the start date of the top candidate, the hiring department may offer the additional position to another candidate from the same candidate pool.
Pay Range
$37.63 - $47.98

Hours
Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telework opportunities may be available after an initial training period. Work schedules are implemented to meet the requirements of the department and are subject to change based on business needs.

Staff eligible to telework must be in the office for at least 40% of their scheduled work week.
Job Close Date 12/26/2024 Type of Posting Reserved for City Employees Department Financial Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location Municipal Building, 124 W. 8th St. Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in reviewing / preparing complex consolidated financial statements
• Experience in revenue collection, revenue recognition and reconciliation
• Experience in analyzing and interpreting large volumes of data with strong problem solving skills.
• Advanced excel skills (familiar with pivot tables, vlookups, filtering, other complex functions, etc.) Microsoft access skills preferred.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Provides coordination and oversees the collections of revenue and/or processing of customer payments; analysis, and clearing of delinquent accounts; notifying customers of insufficient payments; calculating/assessing delinquent fines/fees, etc. Prepares complex financial statements for external reporting or financial reports by preparing and/or overseeing the preparation of complex balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and reports; collecting, analyzing, and summarizing general ledger account information and trends; applying advanced skills and knowledge of accounting and reporting requirements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, GAAP . Prepares audit work papers for annual external audit or special audit by preparing, reviewing, and/or overseeing the preparation of complex supporting work papers for assigned area(s); providing explanations of City policy and procedures and responding to auditor questions and requests for information in a timely and accurate manner. Carries out complex projects by researching new accounting standards and related reporting/ information requirements, organizing/summarizing research results, and presenting recommendations to management for timely implementation in the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Maintains accounting ledgers by posting/reviewing and/or approving the posting of account transactions; ensuring transactions are processed in accordance with GAAP , City policy, applicable laws and regulations, and sound business practices. Leads reconciliation of general ledger and/or bank accounts and resolves account discrepancies by reconciling and/or reviewing the reconciliation of statements and transactions and investigating documentation; issuing stop payments, payments, or adjustments, and by facilitating discrepancy resolutions for other accounting staff members. Assists departments and other internal or external customers by drafting procedural, financial, and/or other information and guidance with automated or manual accounting systems. Provides guidance and direction through the review of asset, liability, inventory, and/or capital accounting entries as prepared by internal/ external department staff, and provides City-wide accounting software training or proctors Continuing Professional Education ( CPE ) classes. Assesses internal accounting controls for effectiveness; presents procedural recommendations to management; maintains financial security by documenting the established internal accounting controls.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

Provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Advanced knowledge of internal control systems.
• Advanced knowledge of financial reporting in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, GAAP .
• Advanced knowledge of financial reporting concepts and preferred business practices.
• Knowledge of manual and automated financial systems.
• Knowledge of the preparation process of complex financial statements and reports in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Skill in classifying complex fiscal data and compiling fund level statements and reports
• Skill in effective verbal and written communications.
• Skill in managing and processing large volumes of financial transaction data.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting financial records.
• Skill in utilizing personal computer.
• Skill in designing and maintaining complex spreadsheets and data bases utilizing word processing software.
• Ability to prepare accurate and complex financial reports and statements.
• Ability to resolve problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgement.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Accountant IV position are: Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to accounting, twenty-four (24) college semester hours in accounting plus four (4) years of accounting experience. One (1) year of experience as lead or supervisor. A Master's degree in Accounting or Business Administration may substitute for one (1) year of accounting experience. A CPA may substitute for the required four-year degree. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* Are you currently an employee of the City of Austin?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check

* Please describe your experience preparing and or auditing complex financial statements.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have experience with revenue collections and reconciliations? If so, please describe your experience. If you do not have this experience, please list N/A.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience analyzing, interpreting, and managing large volumes of data.
(Open Ended Question)
* Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Excel?

• Basic: create/edit simple spreadsheets, sort data, enter formulas
• Intermediate: create/edit spreadsheets, create charts/graphs from spreadsheet data, hide and unhide rows/columns, use basic functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT
• Advanced: develop complex spreadsheets, create charts/graphs/tables, import data from external databases, use AutoFilter to analyze data, use complex functions/formulas for math & logic equations
• Limited or no MS Excel experience, but proficiency with another spreadsheet application such as Lotus 1-2-3 or Apple Numbers
• No experience with Microsoft Excel

* Which of the following best describes your level of proficiency with Microsoft Access?

• Basic: able to open an Access database, enter data into an Access form, and run simple queries to look up and reference information
• Intermediate: able to create simple Access databases, including the set up of data tables and creation of simple forms
• Advanced: able to create robust Access databases for multiple users, including multiple data tables, forms, custom queries, and reports
• Limited or no experience with Access, but experience with other relational databases
• No experience with MS Access or other database applications

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents