Junior Accountant/Payroll Specialist

Description

This is paraprofessional accounting work involved with compiling financial accounting and related reports including some maintenance and review of the City's financial records.

Work involves responsibility for processing, verifying, and recording financial data or accounting functions relating directly to payroll related activities. This work is performed within the established procedures policies rules, and regulations governing the recording and reporting of financial transactions. The employee is expected to exercise independent judgment in solving accounting problems. Work is performed under the general direction of the Accounting Supervisor and is checked for accuracy through internal and external audit procedures. Some work is reviewed through periodic audits and through the review of statements and reports for adherence to policies and procedures.

Examples of Duties

Prepare internal financial reports including monthly management report, gaming tax revenue, and various other reports; prepares annual financial reports as required by state statutes for submission to the Illinois Department of Insurance and the State Comptroller.

Perform all activities necessary to process payroll and pension checks, including maintaining employee's records, filing taxes, processing involuntary deductions, such as levies and garnishments; preparing and reconciling quarterly and annual payroll reports and submitting to the state and federal government, including employee W2s and 1099Rs.

Review reporting requirements for all city grants; maintain a schedule of all grant requirements, including audit and financial reporting deadlines; prepare periodic grant financial reports.

Maintain financial records for CDBG grants; prepare CDBG quarterly cash report; prepare monthly CDBG cash drawdowns; prepare annual financial report for CDBG Caper report.

Maintain the City's fixed asset records, including identifying fixed assets posted to general ledger; recording data into fixed asset module; tracking project status from various departments; disposing of obsolete assets; recording annual depreciation; preparing year-end reports..

Implement federal and state regulations and policies and procedures related to payroll to ensure compliance; monitor and apply changes in union contracts to payroll system; develop techniques to handle new payroll requirements or requests; troubleshoot and repair financial payroll software problems within parameters.

Analyze loan program and pension fund investments; reconcile monthly statements to general ledger entries to ensure accuracy in posting.

Assist in the annual budget preparation, including preparing reports to forecast revenues and other special projects as assigned by the Accounting Supervisor.

Verify accuracy of employee's travel expenses statements.

Respond to inquiries from employees, pensioners, other departments, and outside agencies.

Provide effective and efficient customer services and promote and maintain responsive community relations.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Graduation from a four year college or university with major course work in accounting, business administration, or related field; experience in payroll and accounting work preferably at the municipal level; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

Knowledge of general accounting principles and procedures.

Knowledge of computerized payroll systems, including payroll procedures, principles, and practices.

Knowledge of modern office procedures, practices, and techniques.

Knowledge of modern data processing equipment and procedures used in financial management.

Some knowledge of governmental accounting and related systems and procedures.

Ability to present ideas effectively, orally, and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff and officials of other agencies.

Skill in the operation of devices using alphanumeric keyboards.

Supplemental Information

Selected candidates must meet a residency requirement, which includes living in the state of Illinois or Iowa and must report within 60 minutes after being called into work for an overtime assignment.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in an office setting. Hand eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.