Accountant Learning Pathway
Explore key details of this position below.
Accountants are essential to the accounting function of a local government and work to prepare journal entries, prepare financial statements, perform daily and monthly reconciliations, conduct analysis, maintain records related to accounts payable, accounts receivable or project and grant accounting, create reports, and assist with a variety of other functions within the finance department to support revenue or expenditure analysis or assist with operational analysis. In addition accountants will assist with preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report and annual audit.
Accounts are also expected to be proficient users of the organization’s financial system and may be responsible for monitoring internal controls, assisting to administer various functions like capital asset reporting, and provide end user support to departments. Common functions could also include exporting data to spreadsheets for additional analysis and maintenance.
-Fund accounting
-Generally Accepted accounting Principles (GAAP)
-Computer Systems and applications
-Organization structure and function
-Financial data analysis
-Evidence integrity analysis
-Compiling information
-Eliciting other experts' assistance
-Maintaining documentation
-Damage assessment
-Pertinent local, state, and federal laws related to accounting and auditing.
-Principles and practices of technical and functional supervision and training
-Business and tax regulations
-Independently apply accounting principles
-Provide technical and functional supervision over staff and effectively train staff
-Identify and interpret technical and numerical information
-Make complex and varied mathematical computations and tabulations rapidly and accurately, making use -of spreadsheets and other technologic tools in doing so.
-Observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures
-Remains current with relevant technological, accounting rules, and regulatory advancements as it relates to field
-Analytical
-Interpersonal communication
-Written and oral communication
-Independence Exercise good judgement, make competent decisions, handle multiple projects, prioritize and organize work assignments
Required: 4-year degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or Related Field or equivalent experience
Preferred: Course or courses on government accounting
Required: 1 - 3 years
Preferred: 3+ years; past experience with local government
Required: None
Preferred: CPA, CPFO
-Communication Skills
-Building working relationships
-Problem solving
-Overall knowledge of government
Accounting Specialist