Accountant

The City of Bastrop is currently seeking qualified applicants who possess a desire to contribute, a willingness to be challenged, and a commitment to public service, to join our team as an Accountant. Our champion employees are a driving factor for ensuring the City of Bastrop maintains its exceptional small-town charm with big city amenities.

The Finance Department staff, which includes the Finance Director, Assistant Finance Director, Finance Coordinator, Payroll Specialist and Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for managing the financial affairs of the City of Bastrop, including accounting, auditing cash management, debt management, revenue collections, fixed assets and managing the City's Fairview Cemetery. The department also prepares the CAFR and assists the City Manager with development of the City's annual operating and capital budgets.

Under the administrative direction of the Assistant Finance Director, the Accountant performs responsible professional accounting work related to preparation and maintenance of municipal accounting procedures and statistical and financial records. Provides financial information to more senior staff by preparing, researching, or analyzing accounting data, preparing reports and financial statements. Employees in this class perform complex data entry and reconciliation of financial information and are responsible for applying acute attention to detail concerning facts and numerical figures. Performs related work as required.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assists in the preparation of the City’s annual budget, audit, and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) through schedule preparation, etc., including assistance with Single Audit schedules.

Participates in the processing and recording of various revenue, encumbrance, expenditure, expense, asset, liability, and equity transactions, in accordance with GAAP and City policy.

Analyze and reconcile various general ledger accounts including but not limited to accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing card, capital projects and bonds.

Assists in the financial administration of federal and state grant funds ensuring compliance with grant conditions and correct accounting.

Responsible for month-end close, making sure all transactions are posted accurately and accordance with GAAP and city policy.

Coordinates training for internal customers on financial software; serves as administrator.

Assists with special projects.

Maintains financial security by following internal accounting controls

Inputs and reconciles fixed assets into the fixed assets module on a monthly, quarterly, annual basis.

Reconciles bank statements (i.e., clear checks, deposits, miscellaneous entries, research missing items).

Prepares and submits Monthly Sales Tax Report.

Backup for answering phones and assisting walk-in customers for Finance Department.

Becomes thoroughly familiar with every aspect of departmental processes.Other Duties:

Responds to a wide variety of requests for information from various entities, i.e., City personnel, the public, various organizations and agencies.

Assists with City's cemetery operations in selling and locating lots, gathering and maintaining records and issuing permits.

Assists with assembling and compiling information as directed for external auditing purposes.

Attends required Emergency Management training and participates when the need arises performing assigned duties.

Provides quality customer service to City staff, the general public and all other work contacts.

Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Training and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or business or a related field with additional course work in governmental accounting.

Three (3) years of full-time work experience in an accounting/financial environment to include specific experience in processing payroll, account maintenance and reconciliation duties.

Advanced office and computer skills are a must.

One (1) additional year of the required experience may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Governmental accounting principles and methods.

Governmental budgeting and fund accounting, understanding of bank terminology and processes.

City Charter and City ordinances and policies relating to finance.

Preparation process for financial statements in conformity with GAAP.

Modern office practices and procedures.

A variety of modern computer software to include Microsoft Excel and Word.

Payroll processing principles and practices.

Accounts payable principles and practices.

Considerable knowledge of principles of effective administration, to include coordinating, planning and scheduling.

Skills in:

Using the computer and financial software to produce spreadsheets, track and record information and produce other financial documents.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Reading financial reports, manuals, memoranda, educational and leadership material for personal and professional development.

Writing reports and memoranda.

Applying solid mathematical skills required to reconcile accounts and perform accounting calculations.

Interpreting and applying generally accepted accounting principles and procedures.

Identifying problems and deducing where source of error might be found.

Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

Applying accounting formulas, calculating sufficiently to prepare budget, verify totals and reconcile differences.

Interpreting and analyzing data.

Reading financial reports, technical computer manuals, memoranda and payroll documentation including IRS directives, governmental and legal guides, educational and leadership material for personal and professional development.

Ability to:

Apply analytical and interpretive skills to problem solving.

Understand, interpret, document and apply payroll procedures and personnel policies relating to payroll and benefits administration, analyzing data.

Exercise sound judgement and make independent decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, support staff, and other departments/agencies position interacts with.

Analyze, organize and review work for established policy standards, efficient results and accuracy.

Utilize office equipment and applications associated with accounts payable, payroll, banking functions and project accounting.

Add subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages, compute discount.

Ability to have compassion towards others when dealing with cemetery customers.

Licenses and Certificates:

Must have and maintain a valid Texas driver license with an acceptable driving record throughout employment.

Special Requirements:

Must be able to work holidays, weekends or after hours for special events, meetings or during emergency situations as required.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Most tasks are essentially sedentary, with occasional walking, bending, light lifting (5-20 pounds), driving vehicle, or other restricted physical activities. Some tasks involve some physical effort, i.e., standing and walking, or frequent moderate lifting (20-50 pounds), minimal dexterity in the use of fingers, limbs, or body in the operation of office equipment. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Sensory Requirements:

Some tasks may require sound perception and discrimination.

Some tasks may require visual perception and discrimination.

Some tasks may require oral communications ability.

Environmental Requirements:

Some tasks may require exposure to extreme heat/cold/rain or extreme weather conditions.

Some tasks may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt, dust or pollen.

Position will remain open until filled.Employment is contingent on passing post-offer, pre-employment drug testing, and criminal background investigation.

The City of Bastrop is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO) and values diversity in its workforce. As an EEO employer, the City provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.