Accountant IV (Fixed Assets)

About This Position

An Accountant IV in the Fixed Assets Accounting Department is the senior technical resource for Austin Energy's utility plant and capital project accounting, overseeing complex asset transactions and reconciliations and reviewing the work of other accountants. As a senior individual contributor, the position is the subject matter expert for our fixed asset system and key point of contact between the Fixed Assets team and management on audit and reporting matters.

Job Description

Accountant IV

Purpose

Coordinate and provide financial information to management by reviewing, preparing, researching, and analyzing complex financial transactions/financial statements and reports and/or coordinating and/or leading activities of employees who prepare and balance financial transactions and general ledger accounts

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Assists departments and other internal or external customers by drafting procedural, financial, and/or other information and guidance with automated or manual accounting systems.

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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.

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Assesses internal accounting controls for effectiveness; presents procedural recommendations to management; maintains financial security by documenting the established internal accounting controls.

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Responsibilities - Supervisor 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

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 and Certifications Required

• None

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed CPA in the United States or, if not licensed, have an active Application of Intent with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

• Hands-on experience preparing journal entries and performing balance sheet reconciliations in accordance with GAAP.

• Hands-on experience with capital asset accounting, construction-in-progress (CIP) accounting, or long-lead/multi-year capital projects.

• Hands-on experience working with large, multi-module ERP systems where data from multiple modules or subledgers feeds into a single general ledger.

• Actively participated in a significant organizational change (e.g., system implementation/migration, reorganization, process overhaul).

• Direct experience mentoring, training, or developing other accountants or financial analysts.

• Experience preparing audit work papers for external auditors or regulatory filings.

Notes to Candidate

Pay Range: Entry : $84,671.00 - Mid: $107,500.00

Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00AM - 5:00PM) - COA 60% Telework Policy

Location: 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin Texas, 78723

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.

• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.

• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.

• Responses to supplemental questions regarding experience should also be clearly documented in the ‘Experience’ section of the main application.

• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.

• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.

• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

• To ensure a thorough evaluation of your qualifications, please answer all applicable questions in the questionnaire section completely. Incomplete, brief