Financial Analyst

Finance Department AccountantThe City of Clinton (NC) is seeking a Finance Department Accountant. The salary range is $53,477.00 - $74,889.00 annually. This full-time position is located in Clinton, NC.The job description includes performing responsible professional accounting and financial work in the Finance Department. The position serves as the City's internal auditor, purchasing specialist, and budget analyst, and has authority for daily operations of the Finance Department in the absence of the Director.Essential duties include assisting the Finance Director by providing technical guidance to technical accounting staff and preparing a variety of financial records, reports, spreadsheets, and analyses; interpreting and enforcing fiscal policies and practices for the department; performing journal entries; reconciling monthly cash collections and bank statements; maintaining and updating the chart of accounts; entering budget amendments and updates; preparing year-end entries to close out the fiscal year; serving as purchasing specialist for the City; recommending purchasing manual for the City and training departmental users; preparing and sending out requests for proposals for various goods and services; recording bid information from formal bid openings; assisting with reviewing contracts and coordinating review with City Attorney; approving requisitions and filing electronic purchase orders for Finance Director review; coding invoices and submitting to accounts payable; entering purchase orders if necessary; assisting departments with related issues; balancing and posting daily cash collections to the ledger; monitoring cash availability and balances; overseeing wiring of funds from and to central depository; serving as internal auditor and developing and implementing internal audit policies and procedures City-wide such as cash handling, safekeeping of City assets, and City financial activities; signing out City credit card and reviewing receipts for proper budget line-item coding; researching cost reductions for departmental activities; evaluating and recommending updated finance department procedures and processes; assisting the auditors and preparing comprehensive documentation during the annual audit of the City's financial records; assisting in preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) that is submitted for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program Award, including preparation of spreadsheets, graphs, and charts, and coordination of printing and disbursement of the document; preparing reconciliation of balance sheet accounts monthly to include payroll liability accounts; assisting in preparing the annual city budget, analyzing historical trends in revenues and expenditures, and helping all city departments prepare, key, and balance budget requests; performing grant accounting; establishing spreadsheets for each grant; maintaining adequate accounting records to document compliance with local, State, and Federal laws and ordinances; and performing related duties as required.Typical qualifications include considerable knowledge of North Carolina General Statutes and financial practices and procedures; considerable knowledge of the principals and practices of public finance administration including accounting, budgeting, and payroll in government; considerable knowledge of the practices of professional accounting and auditing; considerable knowledge of the application of information technology to the work including specialized financial packages, spreadsheets, and databases; considerable knowledge of state laws regarding public purchasing processes; skill in internal customer service excellence and collaborative conflict resolution; ability to evaluate financial systems and formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records; ability to design and prepare analytical and interpretive financial reports, statements, and records; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, department heads, government officials, superiors, and other employees; ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms; and must have direct experience in bank reconciliation and journal entries. Desirable education and experience include graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration supplemented by courses in public finance administration and budgeting, and some professional experience in accounting, preferably in the public sector; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Special requirement includes the ability to obtain Purchasing Officer certification from the NC School of Government.