Temporary Accountant

Basin Transit Service Transportation District

Position Description

Job Title: Accountant

Department: Administration

Reports To: Finance/Grant Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary

The Accountant performs complex, professional accounting and technical support duties supporting the District’s strategic and financial goals. Duties include, budgeting, accounting, auditing, forecasting, purchasing, payroll, asset management, grants and their administration, contracts, and all other financial functions of the organization. The position has regular contact with local, state, and federal agencies and other organizations necessary to the financial operation and stability of the organization. Must be able to collaborate closely with managers and employees as it relates to accounting, budgeting, payroll, grants, and all fiscal other functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Under the direction of the Finance/Grant Manager the Accountant performs the financial activities for the efficient operations of a county-wide bus transportation system and other work as required. The position has the following responsibilities.

• Complies with the financial policies, procedures and internal controls conform to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
• Complies with the financial requirements and regulations required by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration.
• Manages accounts payable and receivable using accounting software and other programs. Reviews vendor invoices and processes payment. Invoices clients for purchasing transportation services. Establish and maintain relationship with new and existing vendors and clients.
• Performs the general accounting which includes managing accounts payable and receivable, reviewing and processes invoices for payment, completing monthly general ledger closing, preparing bank reconciliations, and making journal entries, preparing and maintaining account balance schedules and reconciliations, analyzing and reconciling asset and liability accounts, and distributing financial reports as requested. Is responsible for general account maintenance and review including adding or changing the status of general ledger accounts.
• Assists in the production of audit requests within the framework of current auditing and governmental accounting standards. Assists with the preparation of financial reports and the annual financial statements, including creating spreadsheets, drafting narratives, and notes. Assists in internal and external audits, reviewing databases and accounting records for anomalies, discrepancies, and variances, making recommendations for correction and process improvement. Reviews and maintains the internal external control documents. Interprets, explains, and applies general and governmental accounting/auditing principles, procedures, laws, and regulations affecting the financial operations for government.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual budget document, and serves as a resource throughout the process. Interprets District budget policies, state budget law, and any federal or local laws. Prepares charts, graphs, and other supplemental information for the Budget Document. Assists with the preparation and updating of the long-term fiscal forecast. Assists in development of best budget practices.
• Grants Administration – Reviews grant agreements and other revenue agreements awarded to the District. Develops and implements a documentation process for each grant project. Monitors compliance for grant agreements. Prepares compliance documentation relating to grant reimbursements for state, federal, and other grants. Uses federal and state software programs to submit grant reimbursement requests. Prepares and submits other grant compliance documentation for other organizations.
• Monitors internal controls for handling fare revenues and other funds. Manages and reviews bank deposits. Recommends changes to policies and procedures for internal controls for revenues and other funds.
• Processes payroll, including but not limited to; reviewing electronic timesheets for accuracy, ensuring all deductions for insurance, retirement, health insurance and child support are processed, tracking of all employees earned benefits and time off.
• Ensure that all documents under the care and custody are properly filed and accounted so that all records can be located by other staff with ease when required.
• Maintains and monitors credit card program, including reviewing and processing of monthly credit card transactions, identifying errors, and resolving discrepancies, adding, and cancelling purchasing cards as required.
• Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for all purchases and procurements. Assists in the procurement for RFP, RFQ and other purchase for state and FTA compliance.
• Assists in the interpretation, development, and review of union contract language for daily operations, union negotiations, and letter of agreements for wages, differentials, allowance, health insurance, and other contract items requiring fiscal management.
• Assist in preparing a variety of reports and correspondence for the Finance/Grant Manager to report to the General Manager and the Board of Directors.
• Encourage management and employees at all levels of the organization toward continual financial improvement.
• Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of internal controls for proper handling, security, and safeguards for funding.
• Use accounting software currently Peach Tree Sage 50, EXCEL, WORD, POWERPOINT, OUTLOOK and other software.
• Manage, oversee, process and function as backup for processing all the following transactions: payroll, accounts payable, revenue and expense, fixed assets, cash, bank reconciliations, and allocations.
• Maintains a fixed asset program. Tracks capital assets, including preparation of capital asset reports.
• Ensure best practices and optimal use of technology in all areas of the agency.
• Performs miscellaneous projects as requested by Finance/Grant Manager.
• Other duties as needed.

HOURS OF WORK

This position works a minimum of forty (40) hours per week, usually from 8:00am until 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Actual work times may vary to meet the District needs.

WAGES AND BENEFITS

The wages and benefits are detailed in the Personnel Policies approved by the Board of Directors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A four-year college degree in accounting or other applicable business field and two years of experience in a responsible accounting/auditing capacity. A two-year degree in accounting and

3-5 years of progressively responsible accounting. Accounting experience working in government is highly desirable.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret complex documents such as, Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, and policy and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write detailed correspondence, reports, policies, procedures, and other documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to make public presentations.

ADMINISTRATION SKILLS

• Modern business administration, including strong leadership skills, accounting, finance, purchasing, contracting, asset management and insurance.
• Plan, organize and manage the fiscal and financial affairs of a local, public sector transit system, Identify, and analyze administrative problems and implement procedures.
• Understand, Oregon Budget Law, interpret and apply all laws, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and budgets.
• Analyze a wide variety of data and prepare appropriate reports.
• Analyze situations, identify problems, and recommend solutions.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence.
• Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
• Work effectively with other District staff.
• Methods and practices used in administrative investigation, problem resolution and reporting.
• Proposal and procurement techniques.
• Policies, regulations, and practices of the conduct of internal and external audits, accounting, and investment of public funds.
• Oregon Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration regulations.
• Experience within the Microsoft business systems such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to solve problems at an elevated level with minimum direction and address a variety of everyday variables in situations where there is only limited standardization.
• Ability to interpret a variety of complex instructions that may be furnished in written, verbal, diagram, schedule, or other form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATION

• Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, a valid Oregon Driver’s License, and have a good driving record.
• Licensing as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is desired.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This description is representative of the demands that must be met by an employee who successfully performs the essential functions of the job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands, fingers, feel, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel; lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds.
• Vision abilities required by this job include visual acuity at close range and at a distance.
• Employee must drive long distances at times to attend meetings, conferences and training in Salem, Bend, and other locations in Oregon. Multiple overnight stays are sometimes required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This description is representative of the characteristics an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Noise levels in the work environment are low, with some periods of moderate noise, as normal to a typical office environment.
• Work is normally performed in an office environment with air conditioning and heating.
• There are no other significant environmental factors.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $54,564.10 - $74,752.91 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• GAAP: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• CPA (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $54,564 - $74,753