Senior Staff Accountant

Summary

This is accounting and fiscal administrative work in a centralized accounting and fiscal operation. An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of accounting, budgeting, and other financial duties, focusing on the development, analysis, and maintenance of comprehensive financial statements, trial balance and reports for the Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority. The incumbent supports assigned Authority programs, accounts and departments by analyzing financial data, which involves extracting, defining, and interpreting relevant information to determine past financial performance and/or project financial probability. Work may include general ledger; assisting during annual budget process; administering a complex cost allocation plan; developing forms, procedures and manuals and other related work activities. Supervision or direction is given to professional accounting and clerical staff and received from Financial Accounting and Reporting Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains all assigned accounts of the general ledger, prepares and enters journal entries, performs accounts analysis for assigned program.
• Record monthly real estate entries for land leases and loan interest
• Works with the Real Estate office to create invoices for bond fees due to RRHA.
• Calculates Real Estate fee related expenses and prepares journal entries
• Reconcile and prepares applicable journal entries for mortgage and notes receivables and payables
• Calculate and record monthly Real Estate management fee
• Manages some aspects for fixed asset accounts and physical inventory as assigned
• Prepares bank reconciliations and other account reconciliations as assigned
• Reconcile HUD subsidy receipts as assigned
• Record Prepaid Insurance, prepaid memberships, prepaid service agreements, postage, and other miscellaneous expenses. Tracks associated invoices to make to ensure timely payment.
• Maintain and update month-end checklist to ensure completion of all required entries
• Analysis accounts for accuracy and necessary accruals.
• Records miscellaneous cash deposits and interest revenue/expense entries
• Serve as back up for fixed asset reconciliations.
• Interfaces with internal and external customers, City agencies, and RRHA staff. Plans, coordinates, arranges meetings, and follows-up verbally or in writing.
• Compiles data and prepares or assists with the creation of the annual financial data schedule submitted to HUD.
• Recommends improvements to workflow efficiencies.
• Reconciles landlord overpayment activity.
• Works closely with the Real Estate office and is the liaison for all communication related to general ledger transactions.
• Assists the management and administrative staff in the preparation of the annual budget, annual audit, cost allocation plan, and related fiscal requirements.
• Assists in or personally develops, evaluates and modifies internal procedures and systems for the control and audit of financial accounts.
• Reconciles the accounting system to the audited financial statements.
• Performs special accounting projects as assigned.
• Independently completes assignments in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner.
• Reviews accounting transactions for compliance and reports non-compliance to appropriate staff for resolution.
• Other duties as assigned

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Effective Communication

• Leads important presentations/meetings for clients or staff
• Coaches other team members on improving communication skills

Customer Service

• Confirms client needs are being met through ongoing, candid communication
• Coaches others how to improve customer relationship issues
• Ensures team is regularly recognized for providing high-quality customer service

Initiative

• Creates a work environment that invites diverse points of view and effectively manages productive conflict

Job Knowledge

• Delivers ongoing, honest feedback to team members
• Provides constructive feedback on team member contributions to management
• Facilitates knowledge transfer within the team
• Allows others to make learning mistakes, intervening when necessary to avoid serious errors

Responsiveness and Accountability

• Guides team and holds members accountable for incorporating functional or Authority initiatives into everyday actions

Teamwork

• Identifies team-related problems and collaborates with team members to design solutions
• Promotes an open flow of information within the team and with other teams so all are well informed

Problem Solving and Analysis

• Explains potential impact of problems to own working environment
• Demonstrates logical problem-solving approach and provides rationale for proposed solutions
• Determines root causes of problems and evaluates whether solutions address root causes
• Demonstrates objectivity, thoroughness, insightfulness, and probing behaviors when approaching problems
• Involves the appropriate people to resolve problems
• Understands and demonstrates ability to properly allocate people and financial assets
• Demonstrates the ability to break down complex problems into manageable parts, identifies, and implements solutions

Program and Project Management

• Defines roles and responsibilities for project team members and clearly communicates expectations
• Balances quality of work with deadlines and budget
• Provides advice and guidance on policies
• Complies with statutory requirements and apply policies consistently
• Identifies and uses efficient methods to utilize Authority resources
• Manages multiple projects and balances priorities and conflicts between projects based on broader organizational goals
• Keeps abreast and applies best practices in project management
• Motivates and coaches project teams to achieve highest project results
• Monitors policy implementation and puts in place procedures to manage risks

Strategic Capability and Leadership

• Gives direction to team in realizing the organization’s strategic objectives
• Impacts positively on team morale, sense of belonging and participation
• Evaluates all activities to determine value added and alignment with the organization’s strategic goals
• Assists in defining performance measures to evaluate the success of strategies
• Identifies and communicates obstacles to executing specific strategies
• Supports stakeholders in achieving their goals
• Inspires staff with own behavior - “walks the talk”
• Utilizes strategic planning methods and tools
• Manages and takes calculated risks

Job Competencies

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of fiscal administration including budgeting and reporting.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Ability to interpret complex statistical and financial statements.
• Ability to plan, organize and evaluate general accounting systems and financial activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Products, i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Yardi experience a plus

Education and/or Experience

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

(The following requirements may be used to evaluate applicants for employment. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for differences in experience and education.)

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in accounting or finance. MBA preferred but not required.

Experience: Four years of professional experience in accounting or auditing which included financial forecasting and statement preparation.

• Masters Degree in Accounting or Business Administration.
• Public sector accounting experience

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

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.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; reaching and grasping; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, on virtual meetings and via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.