Accountant I

The City of Portsmouth is hiring for a detail-orientated and motivated Accountant I to join our Finance Department. This position plays a key role in supporting a variety of accounting functions and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data across departments. The starting salary range is $64,886.04 - $78,869.30 a year per the Professional Management Association Working Agreement. The City offers a generous compensation and benefits package that includes retirement paid time off including vacation holidays medical & dental insurance flexible spending account professional development career growth longevity incentives and more NATURE OF WORK The purposeof this position is to provide variedaccounting functions for the FinanceDepartment. Position is responsible for preparing reports, Capital andspecial project tracking, back-up of accountspayable, monthly reconciliations and assist in budget preparation and budget trackingof various departments as assigned. The position will also be assistingwith developing office procedures, creating and entering purchaseorders, journal entriesand other data entry, maintaining filing systems and otherduties as assigned. SUPERVISION Thisposition works under the general supervision of the Deputy Finance Director ortheir designee. Work performed is subject to review according to the City'spersonnel plan through observation, reports, and the results achieved. Incumbent prioritizes and performs work in accordance with standard practices and previous trainingand will solveproblems by adapting methods or interpreting instructions. Instructions for new assignments orspecial projects are given orally. Technicaland policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with the supervisor. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the varioustypes of work that may be performed. Theomission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from theposition if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to, or extensionof, the position. 1. Track assigned capitalprojects and reviewfor compliance and process throughAccounts Payable. 2. Effectively communicates with Project Managers regarding contractdocuments, change orders and othercontract modifications, approvals, and any additional services related to billing. 3. Maintain the billingfolders for all projects, with all the appropriate documents, including expenses, consultant invoice, and monthly invoices, inaccordance with standard procedures. 4. Track all expenditures and File State SRF (State Revolving Loans)/ARPA(American Rescue Plan Act) with DES (Department of Environmental Services)on a monthly basis. 5. Track all expenditures and File FederalARPA on a quarterly basis. 6. Provide year-end supportof auditor requirements, which may includeresearch and reconcilement. 7. Compile information for external auditors, as required. 8. Reconcile CoakleyLandfill Group Bank Statements and invoice tracking. 9. Process paymentand review for compliance, the City's monthly CreditCard statement. 10. Liaison betweenProject, Accounting, and Finance. 11. Assist the FinanceDirector with the budget preparation for the variousdepartments as assigned. 12. Assists the FinanceDirector with expenditure/revenues reconciliations for variousdepartments as assigned. 13. Track and projectexpenditures for the various departments assigned to ensure departments are staying withinbudget and compliance with expenditures. 14. Processes department accounts payable by ensuring verification forpayment from division supervisors, assignment of account codes,reconciling payables for accuracy, and ensuring the effective implementationof the purchase order process. 15. Provide back-upand support to AccountsPayable. 16. Responds appropriately to inquiries and/or complaints from the publicin a timely and courteousmanner. 17. Assisting with recordretention: organizing and archiving finance department records. 18. Perform various functionsalong with other finance staff as assigned such as reconciliations, data entry of journal entries,purchase orders, and any other duties as assigned by the Deputy Finance Directoror their designee. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLSAND ABILITIES An incumbent in this position consistently demonstrates a(n)... 1. Advanced computer literacy, including experience in Microsoft Officeapplications of Word andExcel and accounting software. 2. Thorough knowledge of Contractor payment forms. 3. Ability to work well with others under deadline situations and respond to changes in priorities. 4. Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities and see projectsthrough to completion. 5. Employ problem-solving skillsand analysis, and report problemsto the Program Manager, as necessary. 6. Strong understanding of overall project execution process. 7. Analytical and problem-solving skills. 8. Attention to detailand high levelof accuracy. Strongorganizational skills. Abilityto multitask. 9. Ability to adapt; dependable. 10. Ability to learnquickly and effectively. 11. Ability to communicate effectively with the generalpublic, City staff,and government officials atall levels. ENVIRONMENT, WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT Work is performed in a moderately noisy office setting,which is handicapped accessible, but may be subject to uncomfortably warm orcool temperatures. The work isprimarily of an intellectual nature but requires the moderate lifting ofreports, office equipment and supplies weighing up to 15 pounds and being able to file papers in four drawer filingcabinets. Individuals must be able tohear normal sounds, distinguish sound as voice patterns and verballycommunicate. MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Acandidate for this position should have an Associate Degree in Accounting, froman accredited college or university or a minimum of five (5) years ofprogressively responsible accounting experience in government finance. (The above descriptions are illustrative. They are intendedas guides for personnel actions and are not complete itemizationsof all facets of any job.) DISCLAIMER The essential functions and duties describedherein are normal for this position. They are intended as an illustration ofthe various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specificstatements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work issimilarly related or a logical assignment to or extension of the position.Other duties may be required and assigned by the supervisor. The City ofPortsmouth is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. Allqualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regardto race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, genderidentity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The City iscommitted to providing access to equal opportunity and reasonable accommodationfor individuals with disabilities in employment, its services programs, andactivities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact our Human ResourcesDirector by phone 603-610-4478. APPLICATION SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS Finalistmust complete pre-employment screening, drug testing, & background check.