City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Accountant II

Provides financial information to management by preparing, researching, and analyzing accounting data; preparing intermediate to advanced level reports and financial statements.

1. Maintains general ledger information and reviews financial transactions by creating and/or monitoring electronic files and/or accounting documents.
2. Maintains accounting ledgers by posting/reviewing and/or approving the posting of accounting transactions of intermediate and higher dollar-value and complexity, ensuring transactions are processed in accordance with City policy, applicable laws and regulations, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and sound business practices.
3. Processes revenue collections and/or customer payments; prepares analysis of delinquent accounts, calculating/assessing delinquent fines/fees for supervisor/manager review; prepares/ reviews accruals and/or other accounting entries, ensuring transactions are processed in accordance with City policy, applicable laws and regulations, generally accepted accounting principles, GAAP.
4. Prepares and/or reviews grant accounting entries and reconciliations by compiling and analyzing general ledger account information.
5. Prepares and/or reviews asset, liability, inventory, and/or capital accounting entries by compiling and analyzing general ledger account information.
6. Reconciles general ledger and/or bank accounts and resolves account discrepancies by reconciling statements and transactions and investigating supporting documentation.
7. Prepares financial statements and/or special reports by preparing balance sheets, income statements, cash flows, and other special reports; at an intermediate to advanced level; collecting, analyzing, and summarizing general ledger account information and trends; conducting variance analysis; applying intermediate skills and knowledge of accounting and reporting requirements; generally accepted accounting principles, GAAP.
8. Prepares audit work papers for annual or special audit by preparing accurate supporting work papers at an intermediate level for assigned area(s); work is reviewed by other staff; providing explanations of city policy/procedures and responding to auditor's questions/requests in a timely and accurate manner.
9. Assists departments and other internal or external customers by providing procedural/financial information and/or other information and guidance with automated or manual systems.
10. Carries out projects by completing projects of moderate to advanced levels of complexity and/or completing parts of complex projects.
11. Maintains financial security by following established internal accounting controls.

• Knowledge of bookkeeping procedures.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of the preparation process of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Knowledge of financial reporting concepts and preferred business practices.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting financial records.
• Skill in processing large volumes of numerical data.
• Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations.
• Skill in classifying fiscal data and compiling fund level statements and reports.
• Skill in operating a personal computer and related equipment.
• Skill in designing spreadsheets and utilizing word processing and database software.
• Skill in analyzing, preparing, checking and balancing routine fiscal transactions and accounts.
• Ability to prepare accurate financial statements at an intermediate level of complexity.
• Ability to resolve problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public

• 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 two (2) years of accounting experience
• A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience
• CPA license may substitute for the education requirement.