ACCOUNTANT
#1413
General Characteristics:
An Accountant is responsible for performing professional accounting work according to generally accepted accounting principles and practices and applying the college's financial management policies; reviews and negotiates grant proposals/contracts; monitors and analyzes grant activity to ensure compliance with federal, state, agency and college policies and regulations; schedules and distributes work to specialists; provides training and technical assistances as required; answers questions and resolves problems related to work; assists staff and outside agencies with problem resolution; does related work as required. Work requires substantial knowledge of accounting principles and procedures, analytical skill, organizational skill and to ensure accuracy in reviewing, reconciling and preparing financial records, reports and related contractual documents. Work requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills to exchange technical information with staff, administrators, auditors and agencies regarding accounting matters and to ensure compliance with applicable policies, regulations and statutes. Some positions in this classification may work within a formal work team organizational structure.
Examples of Work:
Monitors grant/contract fiscal transactions and general ledger accounts minimizing the college's exposure to risk and liability; requests grant administrators to initiate required corrections to ensure compliance with awards; prepares, or reviews and approves, journal entries to reclassify improper expenditures; provides guidance, training and technical assistance to all administrative levels on financial accounting procedures; reviews grant/contract agreements for feasibility and compliance issues; prepares and/or reviews grant/contract reports, billings, requests for funds for feasibility and compliance issues; assists college staff in preparation of more complex grant/contract proposed budgets by reviewing the fiscal portion of the proposal; reviews grants/contracts for appropriate contract language and establishes account numbers within established guidelines of the award; authority to structure the award to meet terms and conditions, such as cash management and reporting requirements; on a daily basis supervises and reviews other team members' work; researches and prepares special reports and audit schedules as requested; analyzes, reconciles and balances account details and controls; monitors comprehensive year-end process for grants/contracts including carryover, accruals, deferrals and net working capital; researches through the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and lists each grant according to the correct code number.
Prepares and analyzes the daily cash flow report for daily cash and investment management and bank reconciliation purposes; reviews and monitors month and year-end close reports including carryover, accruals, deferrals and net working capital; reviews, analyzes and prepares journal entries requested by departments; authorizes transactions and journal entries based on account analysis and for compliance with college's and granting agencies' policies and regulations; updates and monitors the fixed assets database and assists in reconciliation to assure that the additional inventory items agree with the general ledger; reviews/monitors and reconciles LCC Foundation financial reports and database to assure that they agree with its general ledger.
Monitors federal and state tax liabilities; prepares quarterly federal and state payroll tax withholding reports; prepares work- paper files, funds requests and specialized reports for state and federal and other agencies; reviews intercampus orders for compliance with college and granting agencies' policies.
Assists in the development and preparation of annual budget document for the college using budget programs. Prepares, reviews and analyzes reports, prepares and processes transfers for all college funds, edits and prepares budget document files, prepares and maintains personnel information for budget document. Edits, prepares and distributes all budget resolutions, forms and letters to fulfill publishing requirements to comply with local budget law. Analyzes position budgets for the college's bargaining unit employees. Instructs and advises college departments in setting up, maintaining, balancing budget accounts, calculating and understanding ICP, preparing position budget transfers, calculating FTE and preparing budget change request transfers. Provides college wide budget training.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of and skill in applying generally accepted accounting principles; knowledge and ability to apply Oregon Budget Law; knowledge of and ability to apply team principles and practices; skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing; skill in microcomputer spreadsheet, database and word processing applications; knowledge of and skill in the operation of a microcomputer to maintain records; knowledge to create reporting systems and develop analytical tools and skill in maintaining automated accounting systems; skill in maintaining accurate accounting records; ability to apply the college's accounting system and procedures; knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply federal, state and other agencies' regulations; ability to work independently and meet deadlines; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, administrators and agencies; ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate acceptable contract language with other agencies; ability to organize and prioritize work; ability to schedule and assign work to others; ability to analyze accounting and financial data and prepare reports; ability to work within a team environment and to carry out individual assignments with no direct supervision; ability to work collaboratively with a diverse and changing population, both within the college and with external agencies; ability to work safely.
Supervision:
Works under the general direction of a manager who sets forth broad working policies and program objectives. Positions in this class are responsible for establishing their own work procedures and priorities within broad guidelines. Many job assignments are self generated based on knowledge of work processes and results that must be achieved. Work is performed independently based on previous knowledge and professional judgment according to local, state and federal regulations, applicable laws, and college policies. Work results are evaluated periodically by manager to assess results obtained and for conformance to overall program goals and professional standards.
This position may have responsibility to assign task, provide priorities, train and monitor the work of specialists. This position may plan, assign, approve, instruct, set priorities and schedule the work of Financial Services staff in the absence of the supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field is required. Two years of experience as an accountant, which provided an in-depth knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures is required.
Equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered qualifying.
03-18-02